Section 1.6. Linux on Power

1.6. Linux on Power

Linux on Power (Linux systems running on a Power or PowerPC processor) has witnessed a spectacular rise in demand and popularity. An increase in the purchase of PowerPC-based systems with the intention of running Linux on them can be seen among businesses and corporations. The reason for the increase in purchase of PowerPC microprocessors is largely because of the fact that they provide an extremely scalable architecture that addresses a wide range of needs.

The PowerPC architecture has made its presence felt in the embedded market where AMCC PowerPC and Motorola PowerPC deliver 32-bit system-on-chip (SOC) integrated products. These SOCs encompass the processor along with built-in clocks, memory, busses, controllers, and peripherals.

The companies who license PowerPC include AMCC, IBM, and Motorola. Although these three companies develop their chips independently, the chips share a common instruction set and are therefore compatible.

Linux is running on PowerPC-based game consoles, mainframes, and desktops around the world. The rapid expansion of Linux on another increasingly mainstream architecture has come about from the combined efforts of open-source initiatives, such as http://www.penguinppc.org and private enterprise initiatives, including the Linux Technology Center at IBM.

With the growing popularity of Linux on this platform, we have undertaken to explore how Linux interfaces and makes use of PowerPC functionality.

Numerous sites contain helpful information related to Linux on Power, and we refer to them as we progress through our explanations. http://www.penguinppc.org is where the Linux PPC port is tracked and where the PowerPC developer community follows Linux on Power news.