Would like to convert an older IBM 8203-E4A running AIX to a linux server. I have searched the msg boards and see a post regarding RHEL for the Power 520:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...rs-4175527408/

Not interested in RHEL. Looks like Ubuntu might be compatible. I'm looking any advice from someone who has been down or attempted this path. I saw someone reference that this model was phased out in '06, but we bought ours new in late 2009 and accepted delivery in 2010. Perhaps it had been sitting around a while but the IBM site covering this model says otherwise. Anyway, that's not really the point - even 6 years is EONS in server model time. It's a great machine, in great shape, been well-cared for and it has lots of life left in it. If I can salvage it as a Linux server then great, if not then it will get trashed. It's currently running AIX 7.1.

If things are really going well then I would like to get the dual channel SCSI card, the external Ultrium tape drive up and a graphics card installed/running too. But first things first!

PDF of machine config is attached for the curious.

Thanks,

Kirk

Attached Files

AIX Machine Config.pdf (70.6 KB, 48 views)

The best thing to do is boot a live version of linux. Typically that is a dvd or cd. Can also do via usb if the hardware supports that.
Check your BIOS for usb boot support.

Do you also not want to use centos or fedora? You may at least try a live version of one of those to see what devices are supported by default.

1 members found this post helpful.

I did not mean to give the impression that I didn't like other distros, I noticed centos was voted best here on LQ so I'm willing to try a live version of that via DVD. Will download centos and give it a whirl before responding back. Thanks!

Ah, I looked through your recommendations and it appears that PPC-compatible distros are tough to come by...any ideas for a good candidate?

I dig some more homework (sorry for getting lazy there and asking for more info from you). Looking into several good candidates. Thanks for your help!

You could try Gentoo. I haven't installed it on a PPC machine but it was a very interesting experience installing it on Sparc architecture. Check out the download link here and select PPC. Documentation is/was very good when I built my Sun box.
You'll also learn a heck of a lot about Linux building it.

The P520's a nice box, one thing I seem to remember about it is that if you want to increase the processing power, apart from the dual processor module(s) you also need to fit the appropriate CPU interconnect board to match the number of modules.

Google IBM 8203-E4A, IBM's got loads of good info available about the hardware and loading software, etc,

Play Bonny!

FWIW I don't care what distros you like or dislike. There are those weird fans that are fanatical around but mostly it's about what you like that's important. If it does what you need and you like it that's what matters.