PPC: Which PowerPC computers are supported by SuSE Linux?

Support knowledgebase (olh_ppc_machines)

Problem:

You have a PowerPC and would like to install SuSE Linux. The following list tells you which particular PowerPCs are currently supported or known to work, respectively.

At this time, there are many manufacturers who use PowerPC processors. Not every computer is supported just because the processor is supported, however, the entire architecture of the machine must work as a whole.

Solution:

Basically, every computer with a PCI bus should work. Machines with a MCA bus or NuBus will not work.
We know that at least the following machines work with SuSE Linux 7.1 PPC:

Apple Powermacs and clones:

Preliminary remark:

Computers made by Apple often have the same name over a long period even if the underlying hardware changes sometimes significantly. Because of this it may happen that some special features will not be available on some machines even if the machines itself is claimed to be supported.

- Supported:

So called "OldWorld" Macs:

So called "NewWorld" Macs:

This listing refers to computers which were introduced before/in Autumn of 2000. Newer computers (2001 models) may not be supported, even if the names are identical to those listed above! Please read rschmid_ppc_difficulties if you need help in this regard.

At the moment we know that the G4 with 466 MHz and an ATI Rage graphic card will work. The new G4 Powerbooks will work too, but with some limitations regarding ethernet and sound (they don't work).

- Not supported:

Apple Cronology

Umax Macintosh clones

- Supported

Motorola

- Supported

PowerComputing

- Supported

IBM iSeries

- Supported

See poeml_iseries_installation_7.1 for more information.

IBM RS/6000 / pSeries

For the following group of IBM machines (Supported by SuSE), SuSE had the opportunity to test Linux on these machines and will provide installation support. The second group (Use of SuSE Linux possible) is known to work, but we do not know this for sure; thus, we cannot guarantee anything and cannot help you with these machines. The last group should be self explaining.

Not all parts (e.g. some graphics cards) that IBM has been shipping with their hardware are supported by Linux! A list with supported components can be found here:
olh_ppc_hardware_ibm

Note:

This page gives information about which machines SuSE supports with the current release of SuSE Linux PPC. IBM uses the term "support" in a different way. If you are interested which machines are supported by IBM, please have a look at the following page:
http://oss.software.ibm.com/developerworks/opensource/linux/projects/ppc/models.php

- Supported by SuSE

- Systems that require the SuSE Linux Enterprise Server:
http://www.suse.de/en/products/suse_business/sles/sles_iSeries_pSeries/index.html
This machine may run Linux in a very experimental way (currently not supported!): - Use of SuSE Linux possible

Other models with RS64 III, RS64 IV, POWER3 or POWER4 cpus might work.
Due to the lack of correspondending hardware we can neither test nor support those systems. Feedback about successful boots are welcome.
A list of supported models can be found here:
http://www.linuxppc64.org/boxes.shtml

- Status unknown or not supported


Have a look at the mailinglist archive at http://lists.linuxppc.org/

Note that all IBM machines require kernel version 2.4 and later.
2.2.16 works on B50 and F50.

Amiga APUS systems

- due to the lack of Linux kernel support we cannot provide support for these systems.

Further information about supported PowerPC machines can be found at http://www.linuxppc.com/about/hardware/. However, those computers have not been tested by SuSE and often need a specially patched Linux kernel.
Every machine tested by SuSE will be explicitly named here in this list.


See also:
o PPC: Installation of SuSE Linux 7.1/PPC on iSeries
o PPC: SuSE Linux on problematic Macs

Keywords: PPC, IBM, POWERPC, HARDWARE, MAC, MACINTOSH, APPLE, RS6000, APUS, UMAX, ISERIES

Feedback welcome: Send Mail to ppc@suse.de (Please give the following subject: SDB-olh_ppc_machines)
SDB-olh_ppc_machines, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 21. Feb 2000
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 30. Jul 2002 by mha (sdb_gen 1.40.0)