> [ This is a repost from the m68k list ; sorry, I didn't notice the
> port-sun3 list in the first place. ]
> 
> I would like your opinions on the following.
> 
> I recently have been able to get an old Sun 3/60.
> Its configuration is minimal : diskless, 4 megs RAM.
> 
> I also have a 486 PC running FreeBSD 1.0.2. I can get (low volume)
> email at home, as well as comp.os.386bsd.* newsgroups or almost any
> other newsgroup.
> 
> If would like to help for the m68k port of *BSD. I think that only
> NetBSD is currently being ported to the 68k, am I wrong ?
> 

NetBSD has been ported to these 68k-based platforms, in addition to
other architectures:  hp300, amiga, mac, an SBC or two, and the sun3.

> I know next to nothing about the Sun 3. Only 68000 machine language...
> 

most of the heavy duty sun3-specific problems are done, but the port
needs help getting over the last hump or two.

> What I would like to know is :
> 
> 	- how far is the port from being able to boot a minimal kernel
> 	  from the PC via ethernet,

It can be done now, except when it runs init...it has some problems...

> 	- is it reasonnable to expect cross-developing the Sun port
> 	  on the PC ?

it would be easier, if you were running NetBSD :)

> 	- could I be of any help given that I know nothing about the
> 	  Sun 3 hardware ? I suppose the machine-independent parts of
> 	  the *BSD kernel are fairly stable now and don't need much
> 	  work...

sun3 hardware is really not the problem at this point.  The problems
involve device-drivers, and people with the time to debug.  The author
(me) has been looking for someone to take over the port for some time.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to distribute the port as widely as
I would like as it is based on an unreleased NetBSD branch.  However,
there is a snapshot in sun-lamp:pub/outgoing/sun3.magnum.tar.gz which
includes some unfinished bootstrapping instructions...

> 	- AT LEAST, WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IF I HELPED AS A TESTER ?
> 
> WHAT DO YOU THINK ?

I need people who will actually do some work.

later,
Adam Glass

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