From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 Message-ID: <3BAA0E6F.5050503@mc.com> Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 11:42:39 -0400 From: Mark Salisbury MIME-Version: 1.0 To: linuxppc-dev@lists.linuxppc.org Subject: ppc LE questions (seeking help hand info pointers) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Sender: owner-linuxppc-dev@lists.linuxppc.org List-Id: I am familiar with the fact that little endian ppc linux is an unpopular concept, but I would like to discuss it and ask a few questions about it anyway. I do _NOT_ want to start a flame war, so if you feel the need to flame me for this, pleas flame me directly offline and do not pollute the list. assume I have a valid reason for wanting to run ppc's in LE mode assume I already have a (non-linux) ppc OS running LE mode (actually compiles and runs in either mode, which you run depends on which flavor of our hardware you use) the differences in the code are limited to a few header files, some startup code and some context switch code. (to get an idea of the hardware see www.mc.com) assume I am also aware of the limitations of the chip in LE mode, and the intended target is 7400+ processors question 1. are there already existing patch sets (rejected from mainline inclusion) available for use as a starting point? question 2. if 1, what is the primary reason for rejection. question 3. is there a general issue of endian safety in linux (I would think not) or just in the ppc-specific code? question 4. assuming I was willing to deliver a clean, complete LE enabling patch (including devices that are relevant to me), as a compile time config option and maintain that patch, what would be the primary obstacle to inclusion in the main line. thanks for your time, Mark -- /*------------------------------------------------** ** Mark Salisbury | Mercury Computer Systems ** ** mbs@mc.com | System OS - Kernel Team ** **------------------------------------------------*/ ** Sent via the linuxppc-dev mail list. See http://lists.linuxppc.org/