Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001 Robert S. Dubinski
Copyright (c) 1999-2001 Robert S. Dubinski. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the Invariant Sections being: "Why JavaStations are No Longer Produced", with one Front-Cover Text: "Linux on JavaStation HOWTO", and with one Back-Cover Text: "This document was written by Robert S. Dubinski in the hope that more people can put their JavaStation hardware to good use. Thank-you to the Linux kernel hackers who made this happen, and thank-you to Sun for a rock-solid piece of hardware." A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
2001-Oct-31
Abstract
This is a HOWTO document describing how to enable the GNU/Linux OS on the Sun JavaStation NC.
Table of Contents
- 1. META Information
- 2. What is a JavaStation™?
- 2.1. What is a JavaStation™ NC?
- 2.2. Definition of an NC including the Differentiation from PC's
- 2.3. Description of the JavaStation™ Model Line including Hardware Specs
- 2.4. Reasons for Running Linux and NC Myths Dispelled
- 2.5. Why JavaStations™ are No Longer Produced
- 2.6. Where to Purchase a JavaStation
- 3. Background Requirements for Linux on a JavaStation™
- 4. Build Your Kernel
- 4.1. Before you begin
- 4.2. Make sure you use 32-bit mode
- 4.3. Supported Linux Kernel Versions
- 4.4. Required Kernel Configuration Options
- 4.5. Necessary Patch for “Embedded-Root” FS Configurations
- 4.6. Build the JavaStation™-Ready Kernel
- 4.7. Convert Kernel from ELF to a.out format
- 4.8. JavaStation™-Ready Kernel Images, System.map and .config File Samples
- 5. Build A JavaStation™-Ready FileSystem
- 6. "Out of the Box" JavaStation Boot File Solutions
- 7. Set up Your Server
- 8. Booting Your JavaStation
- 9. Questions and Troubleshooting
- 9.1. When booting, the message “The file just loaded does not appear to be executable.” Why?
- 9.2. When booting, the message “no a.out magic” appears and halts the boot. Why?
- 9.3. I tried booting a Krups but JavaOS comes up. I don't even have JavaOS!
- 9.4. Cannot Boot an “Embedded-Root” image > 10 MB on my JavaStation™. Why?
- 9.5. After Booting, Typing Anything Yields Garbage Characters. Why?
- 9.6. In X Sessions to a Solaris server, the font server “xfs” crashes. Why?
- 9.7. Performing Indirect XDMCP to a Solaris Server Results in Session Login Failures. Why?
- 9.8. TFTPd config doesn't work on SUSE 6.3. Why?
- 9.9. Regarding RARP: Is it Needed or Not?
- 9.10. Can One Use the Smart Card Reader on the Espresso models?
- 9.11. Can One Use the Solaris DHCP server instead of ISC?
- 9.12. Can One Pass Arguments to “/sbin/init” in a Diskless Boot like This?
- 9.13. Enabling X on the JavaStation™
- 9.14. Is There Mailing List Help?
- 9.15. Can One Boot a JavaStation from Onboard Flash Memory?
- 9.16. Does “Piggyback” work for the x86 too?
- 9.17. I put new memory in, but now it doesn't boot. Why?
- 9.18. Now that JavaStations work with Linux, what about other Free OSs?
- 9.19. Do the Linux 2.4 kernels work? What's the latest that works?
- 9.20. Can I compile the kernel on a non-SPARC machine?
- 9.21. Can I get an ok> prompt like other Sun equipment?
- 9.22. My keyboard isn't recognized. What can I do?
- 9.23. Proll reports "TFTP: ARP Timeout". Why?
- 9.24. Why Can't I Get TrueColor on Krups?
- 9.25. I followed this HOWTO, but my Dover doesn't work. Why?
- 9.26. Can framebuffer be loaded following a serial console initialization?
- 9.27. I really need a complete out-of-the-box solution, pronto!
- 9.28. You Didn't Answer My Question.
- 10. Reference Docs
- A. GNU Free Documentation License