Ports /PowerPC Port
The PowerPC is aRISC microprocessor architecture developed byIBM, Motorola (nowFreescale) andApple. The PowerPC architecture allows both 64-bit and 32-bit implementations (the 64-bit implementation includes the 32-bit implementation). The first PowerPC microprocessor was the 601, a 32-bit implementation released in 1992. Several other 32-bit implementations have since been released, including the 603, 604, 750 (G3), 7400 (G4) and the PowerQUICC embedded communications processors. 64-bit implementations include the 620, POWER4, POWER5 and the 970 (G5).
Linux for the PowerPC was first released at the 2.2.x version of the kernel. A key resource for PowerPC Linux development ispenguinppc, which also includes a hardware compatibility list. PowerPC support in the Linux kernel is now developed as part of the `main' Linux kernel atkernel.org.
The Debian PowerPC port began in 1997 at the German Linux Congress in Würzburg. A PowerPC machine (Motorola StarMax 4000, 200 MHz 604e) was donated to the Debian project.
It first became an officialrelease architecture
with DebianGNU/Linux 2.2 (potato
) and had retained that status until the publicationof Debian 9 (stretch
). The last supported release for 32-bit PowerPC is Debian 8 (jessie
).See therelease note andinstallation manual for further information.
Starting on the release of Debian 8 (jessie
), ppc64el is an officiallysupported architecture on Debian.See therelease note andinstallation manual.
Here you can find information about the64-bit PowerPCLittle Endianarchitecture.
However, note that there is also information at theppc64el wiki page, such asinstallation and ABI information.
There are a variety of systems using the PowerPC microprocessor. Check ourInstallation pages for specific information about installing Debian/PowerPC on your system.
There are some quirks you need to know about when installing on an iBook, TiBook, or iBook2, especially when dual booting with Mac OS X. Some iBook2 hardware, especially on recently introduced models, is not well supported as yet. For specific information on potential problems and solutions, study these web pages:
Debian GNU/Linux does not officially support NuBus PowerPC machines, such as the 6100, 7100, 8100 and most of the Performa series. However, an MkLinux-based kernel is available, which can be launched from a Mac OS boot loader. A Debian system can be installed using this kernel, which is available athttp://nubus-pmac.sourceforge.net/.
When upgrading from Potato to Woody or upgrading really old kernels, there is someimportant information you should be aware of regarding a change in keyboard coding. This could save you some time and headaches!
Up-to-date information on Linux for PowerPC is atPenguinPPC.We havea couple ofpointers for Debian PowerPC developers.
Hardware specifications for Apple computers are available atAppleSpec.
More information and documentation about the POWER architecture:
Please read thelist ofDebian machines to access powerpc/ppc64el Debian porterboxen.
If you need help, try asking for help in the following places:
The Debian PowerPC mailing list is the proper place for questions,suggestions for improvements, or just for chat concerning PowerPCsystems running Debian. The debian-user list is also available forgeneral Debian questions which are not specific to PowerPC.
To join the list, send e-mail to<debian-powerpc-request@lists.debian.org> with the word"subscribe" in the Subject line.List archives areavailable.
Linux for PowerPC Systems
Linux in general
The#debian channel onirc.debian.org isfor general topics relating to Debian, and there is the#debianppc channel for topics specific to Debian onPowerPC processors. You will almost always find someone on-line who ishappy to share information and help you with your problem.
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