kernel support of MPC8XX series

kernel support of MPC8XX series

[Leonard Ye]

Hi all,

Just want to ask a very simple question. How is the kernel support on
MPC8XX series, especially on the MPC855 and MPC860? I will be very happy if
kernel 2.4 can be used and PCMCIA is support as well.

Thanks for your time.

Regards,
Leonard Ye


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Re: kernel support of MPC8XX series

[Leonard Ye]

Wolfgang,

Thanks for your information.  For the embedded system that I am going to
develop, kernel 2.4 and PCMCIA is a must.  Have you get them working on
MPC8XX platform, especially MPC855?  I have read the HOWTO, it just tell me
MPC8XX is support without any specific information.

Regards,
Leonard Ye

At 03:47 PM 3/30/2001, Wolfgang Denk wrote:
>Hi Leonard,
>
>in message <5.0.2.1.0.20010330132041.00a65958@pop.ylez.com> you wrote:
> >
> > Just want to ask a very simple question. How is the kernel support on
> > MPC8XX series, especially on the MPC855 and MPC860? I will be very happy if
> > kernel 2.4 can be used and PCMCIA is support as well.
>
>Kernel support for the 8xx has been available for well over 2  years.
>We use it in many customer projects.
>
>PCMCIA support is available, too, but need some  work,  depending  on
>hwat  you  are  going  to  do.  For  most embedded systems the PCMCIA
>package is just overkill, so simpler solutions may  be  useful  -  we
>have done this for storage devices (hard disks, CompactFlash, etc.).
>
>Feel free to ask if you need details.
>
>In the meantime, check the excellent embedded PPC FAQ at
>http://penguinppc.org/usr/embedded/howto/PowerPC-Embedded-HOWTO.html
>
>Wolfgang Denk
>
>--
>Software Engineering:  Embedded and Realtime Systems,  Embedded Linux
>Phone: (+49)-8142-4596-87  Fax: (+49)-8142-4596-88  Email: wd@denx.de
>"He only drinks when he gets depressed." "Why does he get depressed?"
>"Sometimes it's because he hasn't had a drink."
>                                      - Terry Pratchett, _Men at Arms_


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Re: kernel support of MPC8XX series

[Wolfgang Denk]

Dear Leonard,
in message <5.0.2.1.0.20010402165636.00b02008@pop.ylez.com> you wrote:
>
> Thanks for your information.  For the embedded system that I am going to
> develop, kernel 2.4 and PCMCIA is a must.  Have you get them working on
> MPC8XX platform, especially MPC855?  I have read the HOWTO, it just tell me
> MPC8XX is support without any specific information.

First, you can use the normal PCMCIA package, which has some  support
for  PCMCIA  on  the MPC8xx. Most probably you will have to make some
adjustments for your specific board, i. e. voltage switching etc.

For us, the majority  of  devices  are  memory  cards  like  SanDisk,
CompactFlash  or  IDE  harddisk  adapters.  On  one  side, the PCMCIA
package is a lot of overkill here; on the other  side  it  cannot  be
used  when  you  want to boot from such a device. That's why we added
low-level direct IDE support to the kernel.

It's much more restricted than the  full-blown  PCMCIA  package.  For
instance, removing or replacing a card while the system is running or
similar  events  are  not  handled  at  all.  But  for  the  embedded
applications we've seen so far that never has been a requirement.

Wolfgang Denk

--
Software Engineering:  Embedded and Realtime Systems,  Embedded Linux
Phone: (+49)-8142-4596-87  Fax: (+49)-8142-4596-88  Email: wd@denx.de
On a clear disk you can seek forever.

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Re: kernel support of MPC8XX series

[Magnus Damm]

> For us, the majority  of  devices  are  memory  cards  like  SanDisk,
> CompactFlash  or  IDE  harddisk  adapters.  On  one  side, the PCMCIA
> package is a lot of overkill here; on the other  side  it  cannot  be
> used  when  you  want to boot from such a device.

Not really true.
It _is_ possible to boot with the PCMCIA package, it's just a bit
harder.
Use an initrd with a scaled-down PCMCIA package to solve it.

But I suggest you try the in-kernel support as a first step.

/ Magnus

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Re: kernel support of MPC8XX series

[Wolfgang Denk]

In message <3AC848EC.92161602@opensource.se> you wrote:
>
> > For us, the majority  of  devices  are  memory  cards  like  SanDisk,
> > CompactFlash  or  IDE  harddisk  adapters.  On  one  side, the PCMCIA
> > package is a lot of overkill here; on the other  side  it  cannot  be
> > used  when  you  want to boot from such a device.
>
> Not really true.
> It _is_ possible to boot with the PCMCIA package, it's just a bit
> harder.
> Use an initrd with a scaled-down PCMCIA package to solve it.

And where do you load this initrd image from?

I am talking about systems that don't have  any  (significant)  flash
onboard.  For  instance,  we have such a setup running on boards with
just 512 kB EPROM (right, EPROM, not flash).  We  have  to  load  the
kernel  and  anything  else  over the PCMCIA interface. I don't see a
ways how this can be done with the normal PCMCIA package.

Wolfgang Denk

--
Software Engineering:  Embedded and Realtime Systems,  Embedded Linux
Phone: (+49)-8142-4596-87  Fax: (+49)-8142-4596-88  Email: wd@denx.de
The easiest way to figure the cost of living is to take  your  income
and add ten percent.

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