Sony Adds PS3 Support to Linux Kernel

mu22le writes "A few Sony patches to the Linux kernel have just been merged in the mainline tree, to be included in the 2.6.20 release. The patches add 'core platform support for the PS3 game console and other devices using the PS3 hypervisor.'" From the Linux Devices article: "Linux gained generic support for the Cell processor, on which the PS3 is based, with the 2.6.13 release in June of 2005. The new Sony-contributed patches to the 2.6.20 kernel appear to add machine-specific support for technology such as the PS3's memory architecture, DMA (direct memory access) model, and SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) model. A Yellow Dog Linux (YDL) distribution has been available for the PS3 since October, thanks to a development deal between Sony and YDL publisher TerraSoft. However, YDL so far has not been bundled with early PS3 shipments, despite earlier indications from Sony Entertainment's CEO, Ken Kuturagi."

Re:What is the point

[snoyberg]

Doesn't the Cell perform some scientific calculations very well? Sounds like a motivation to me. Also, for those so inclined you could theoretically utilize the extra processing power of your PS3 from your Linux box through clustering.

Now all it needs is Wireless support...

[DarkJC]

As an owner of a PS3 with Linux installed, the only thing that's missing is wireless support. Wired Ethernet works flawlessly, now lets see some wireless drivers!

Re:At the moment

[fistfullast33l]

On top of this, IGN did a review of the Linux rollout [ign.com] Main takeaways:

• The graphics chip is not supported at the moment, and neither is 3D graphics. IGN reports that one half of the system's memory isn't visible. This makes sense since the 512MB is split between the video and the processor.
• The system runs pretty smoothly. Startup for Firefox was about 5 seconds, which sounds normal to me on my P4 3ghz running E17.
• Screenshots include the E17 desktop, which looks fairly complete. No word on what modules are supported for E17, but remember it's in active development and just recently overhauled the entire module system, including adding the shelf.
• You can only install Linux in one of two configurations - a 50/10 split on the 60gb drive. So you either give most of your space to linux or to the PS3 for games and media, but you can't split it 30/30 or any other way.
• Unlike a comment below, IGN reports that the Wireless card is supported, but not automatically detected. You'll have to choose the driver manually apparently.
• Firefox, Thunderbird, Gaim, the GIMP, and OO.o are included. Flash is not since it doesn't exist for the Cell processor yet.
• Titan, which I've never heard of, is the default media player but has no plugins available. You have to download them on your own.
  
  
  Seems like a nice rollout, but I don't like the hard drive allocation. It'd be nice if you could just install the OS's side by side and let them share media across. I hope you can do that.

Re:What is the point

[Quarters]

I prefer having my mouse and keyboard use an easier to code, unchanging, decade old interface

Ah, so you do like to use USB, which was first released in Jan of 1996. PS/2 ports, on the other hand, have been around since the PS/2 computer was introduced--circa 1987 or so.

Re:At the moment

[CronoCloud]

It was YABASIC in Europe that was included with PS2s to evade the tax, which doesn't exist anymore. The Linux kit for the PS2 or Linux for the PS3 have nothing to do with that. I don't know why that urban legend keeps showing up.

You did know that the official PS2 Linux sit is still up and running, they didn't abandon support, they just sold all the kits.

Thanks for digging this up

[Lonewolf666]

I'd like to add that according to other sources, the PS3 runs Linux under a hypervisor that hides the graphics chip from Linux, so that limitation might be permanent (unless someone does serious, and in some jurisdictions illegal, hacking).

What remains is a computer with a very interesting CPU, but rather limited RAM and no 3D hardware acceleration. For most everyday use cases, a generic PC should do better.