Splack Linux

Splack Linux is a software that is similar to Slackware but specifically designed for Sparc systems. It has wide hardware support for Sun4c, Sun4d, and Sun4m machines, as well as most Sun4U (Ultrasparc) systems. Unfortunately, some of the more modern SunBlade and SunFire systems cannot be supported by the 2.2.20 kernel. However, there is a workaround to this issue: users can move the boot disk to a supported UltraSparc machine to install version 8.0 of Splack, upgrade to Splack-current, and build a 2.4.27 or later kernel.



For Sun4m SMP, users need to have kernel 2.4.27 or later. Meanwhile, for Sun4d SMP, users require 2.4.27 plus patches, which should be included in 2.4.28. Moreover, it is not possible to use Sun4d SMP with a serial console. Users must install a framebuffer, monitor, and keyboard to make it work. Overall, Splack Linux is a reliable software that is ideally suited for Sparc systems.