Does it rely on the kernel or the distro?!

l_9_l · 12-21-2001, 11:48 AM

Hii everyone..

I'm just wondering about the Linux architecture support,does it rely on the kernel or the dirstribution?!

For instance:

Slackware-8 with 2.2.19 kernel, supports:
-Alpha, i386, Sparc.

Debian-2.2r4 with 2.2.19 kernel, supports:
-Alpha, Arm, i386, m86k, PPC, Sparc.

Caldera-3.1-Workstation with 2.4.2 kernel, supports:
-i386.

trickykid · 12-21-2001, 11:56 AM

i would say distro. cause there are different architectures and if it says it supports a certain one, then that distro should install on that certain architecture, probably dealing with packages and software to be installed as well.. not totally for sure though.

jrmann1999 · 12-21-2001, 11:57 AM

A little of both really. The kernel must support the architecture to even boot(and to recognize hardware).

Additionally the software must recognize the architecture due to the assembler instructions that the CPU recognizes, as well as the method by which all the devices are connected.

This is quite a simplified answer to an otherwise very complex technical questions(further reading you might want to browse would be the differences in the i386 and RISC architectures, quite fascinating).

Aussie · 12-21-2001, 11:57 AM

Its the distro, the kernel is the same across all architectures that its been ported to, basicly it means someone has to do the original port and then it's just a matter of maintaining it and keeping it up to date with current kernel development.