Re: [Astlinux-devel] Add x86_64 support ?

A majority of our systems have less than 4 GB of ram, but many of the systems are 64 bit Atom processors. It's probably worth the effort, but it does add 6 new images if we are going to maintain Asterisk 1.8, 11 and 13.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Keuter [mailto:li...@mk...]
> Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2015 4:45 AM
> To: AstLinux Developers Mailing List <ast...@li...>
> Subject: Re: [Astlinux-devel] Add x86_64 support ?
> 
> 
> Am 21.11.2015 um 23:41 schrieb Lonnie Abelbeck
> <li...@lo...>:
> 
> > Hi Devs,
> >
> > What are the thoughts here about adding x86_64 support ?
> >
> > You may ask why would we think about x86_64 support when 2 GB RAM is
> more than plenty for AstLinux.
> >
> > While x86_64 will be slightly faster in most all cases, it will use more RAM.
> Though a 2 GB RAM system should still be plenty.
> >
> > Now for the intangibles, modern kernel modules and drivers are usually
> tested on x86_64 and not on i586, so x86_64 will be better tested ongoing.
> >
> > So, is it worth the effort for the AstLinux team to consider adding x86_64
> support ?
> >
> > Of course, the RUNNIX bootloader, alix and net5501 boards will still require
> 32-bit images.  The geni586 and geni586-serial images will continue to be 32-
> bit.
> >
> >
> > If the answer is "why not" to the above question, how would it be
> implemented...
> >
> > We would need an additional "crosstool-ng-src/ct-ng-1.20.0-3.2.config"
> config for x86_64 support generating an additional toolchain. ("crosstool-ng-
> src/ct-ng-1.20.0-3.2-x86_64.config")
> >
> > We would need an additional "project/astlinux/geni586/linux-smp.config"
> config for an x86_64 kernel. ("project/astlinux/genx86_64/linux-smp.config")
> >
> > Add two new board types: genx86_64 and genx86_64-serial
> >
> > Since both the toolchain and kernel config is specified in the Buildroot
> .config file, editing the .config file is all that is needed for an x86_64 custom
> image.  Darrick will need a slightly altered master-build script to also generate
> x86_64 images.
> >
> > Also binary blobs, like SILK CODECs and the FOP2 interface would need 32
> and 64 bit versions.
> >
> > Also the things we didn't think of :-)
> >
> >
> > Thoughts ?
> >
> > Lonnie
> 
> Hi Lonnie,
> 
> I personally like the idea of adding x86_64 support.
> I would see this as an investment in the future of AstLinux, in times where
> even iOS or Android devices are switching to 64 bit.
> 
> And even if we get it "only" 10% faster, this is a lot for embedded devices on
> the same hardware.
> 
> Michael
> 
> http://www.mksolutions.info
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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