PowerMac G5 support

[mozgwar]

Any plans to have a powerpc64 port? I have a powermac g5 and I would be willing to test and help

[kth5]

ppc64be would require a separate kernel and grub build. I wouldn't want to support a full ppc64be build of the repo. Most BE machines mortals run under their desks cannot take enough RAM or provide enough horse power to justify a 64bit address space anymore.

The powerpc installer ISO needs to be updated to include 64bit support after I have figured out thew new archiso changes from main Archlinux.

No plans as of yet to prioritize this but I'm running a custom kernel with ppc32 userland in a VM already to build packages and ISO.

[mozgwar]

ok thanks

[kth5]

If you feel like taking the effort, I'll happily accept a tested PKGBUILD for a ppc64be kernel. :)

[kth5]

@Sadoon-AlBader I'm actually working on this as we speak. The powerpc installer will receive a 64bit BE kernel alongside with the 32bit one.

[Sadoon-AlBader]

@Sadoon-AlBader I'm actually working on this as we speak. The powerpc installer will receive a 64bit BE kernel alongside with the 32bit one.

So from what I understand we can run the 32-bit BE on a G5 if we have a 64-bit kernel, that's all we need?

[kth5]

Indeed! The kernel already is being provided as linux-ppc64 in both base32 and base.

The toolchain to build it is provided for ppc64le only and the package is built as arch=(any).

Grub works on ppc as I've already had it on my powerbook and mac mini G4. I'm not sure if it would need a 64bit build for G5 though. The grub package provided with ppc64le, may be the one to pick.

Unfortunately, I do not have a G5 around to attempt this.

[Sadoon-AlBader]

Indeed! The kernel already is being provided as linux-ppc64 in both base32 and base.

The toolchain to build it is provided for ppc64le only and the package is built as arch=(any).

Grub works on ppc as I've already had it on my powerbook and mac mini G4. I'm not sure if it would need a 64bit build for G5 though. The grub package provided with ppc64le, may be the one to pick.

Unfortunately, I do not have a G5 around to attempt this.

Well my friend this is your lucky day :)
I'll test it on my PowerMac G5 tonight (I also have an iMac G4 and PowerMac G4, and planning to buy a PowerBook G4)
Hit me up if I can help with anything else.

[kth5]

New ISO with ppc64be support:
https://archlinuxpower.org/iso/alpha/archpower-2021.01.20.1-powerpc.iso

[kth5]

Considering this done for the same reason as #5