Re: Indy 64 or 32 bit?

[Ralf Baechle <ralf@oss.sgi.com>]

On Tue, Aug 07, 2001 at 08:45:17PM -0400, J. Scott Kasten wrote:

> Well, it's kind of both.  The R4000 and up are 64 bit CPU's capable of
> running either 32 or 64 bit code.  The MIPS address space is a little
> wierd such that you can kinda munge 32 and 64 bit code togeather under the
> right circumstances.

Right circumstances = almost always.  Actually Linux makes sure that it's
indeed always.

> Some of the old hands here could tell you better how Irix behaves on those
> boxes.  I know you can compile code with 64 bit int and pointers and it
> will run on those boxes under Irix, but there is a little more to it than
> that.

That's not supported on all systems.  An Indy for example is limited to
128mb RAM as shipped by SGI (256 with aftermarket parts).  There is no
point in supporting 64-bit address space on such a system and so SGI doesn't
support only N32.

> I've used both linux and Irix on the Indy.  Quite frankly, I would
> consider getting a second HD if cheep enough so that you could keep both
> around.  (Note: don't put 2 high RPM drives in the Indy, or we are talking
> melt down of your pretty blue toy...)

External drives work just fine and can be hidden where their sound isn't so
annoying.

> I've found much to like in Irix in addition to the flexibility of Linux.

Yep and they co-exist nicely.

  Ralf