1. Introduction
This document describes how to install GNU/Linux on the IBM
RS/6000 43P 7248 series, that is, the 43P-100, 43P-120 and
43P-133. It describes quite in detail anything to get one of
these boxes from a non working stage to a networked workstation
with a nice graphical user interfase. This relase covers several
Linux distributions. Earlier, this document described the
installation of several Linux distributions. Earlier, it only
covered the LinuxPPC distribution, which is now obsolete. If
you, for any particular reason, should be interested in versions
of LinuxPPC, please have a look at my homepage
.
Some years ago I got a couple of old 7248s for free and I did
not have any OS to run on them. So I gathered some bits and
pieces from the net, and got it to install LinuxPPC-1999. Later,
I found that a lot of other people may have the same problems
that I had, so I wrote this document to help. Later I rewrote it
in SGML and it is now a part of the LDP.
1.1. Copyright Information and Legal stuff
This document is copyrighted (C) 2003 Ingvar Hagelund and is
distributed under the terms of the Linux Documentation Project
(LDP) licence, stated below.
Unless otherwise stated, Linux HOWTO documents are copyrighted
by their respective authors. Linux HOWTO documents may be
reproduced and distributed in whole or in part, in any medium
physical or electronic, as long as this copyright notice is
retained on all copies. Commercial redistribution is allowed
and encouraged; however, the author would like to be notified
of any such distributions.
All translations, derivative works, or aggregate works
incorporating any Linux HOWTO documents must be covered under
this copyright notice. That is, you may not produce a
derivative work from a HOWTO and impose additional
restrictions on its distribution. Exceptions to these rules
may be granted under certain conditions; please contact the
Linux HOWTO coordinator at the address given below.
In short, we wish to promote dissemination of this information
through as many channels as possible. However, we do wish to
retain copyright on the HOWTO documents, and would like to be
notified of any plans to redistribute the HOWTOs.
If you have any questions, please contact
<linux-howto@metalab.unc.edu>
"Linux" is a registrated trademark owned by Linus Torvalds. "IBM" and
"RS/6000" are trademarks owned by IBM Corporation. "MS-DOS" is a
trademark owned by Microsoft Corporation.
Updated: June 1, 2003.
1.2. Disclaimer and scope
This document is made after own experiences on a 43P
7248-132. The things I did might or might not work for
you. You are on your own. I take no responsibility whatsoever
for any damage, loss or expenses because of something you
might have done because this document said so. If you want to
give me feedback on errors, typos, or anything that can make
this document better, please feel free to contact me by
sending an e-mail to <ingvar@linpro.no>
No liability for the contents of this documents can be
accepted. Use the concepts, examples and other content at
your own risk. As this is a new edition of this document,
there may be errors and inaccuracies, that may of course be
damaging to your system. Proceed with caution, and although
this is highly unlikely, I do not take any responsibility for
that.
This document is about installing GNU/Linux on the IBM RS/6000
43P, model 7248. The methods described in this document may or
may not work on other machines or models. They may or may not
work on other Linux distributions than described. Please don't
ask me about this, as I have not tested others. Look in the
Section 11 for other resources on this. If you
find that these instructions work on other models or
distributions, please let me know, and I'll add that info
here.
All copyrights are held by their by their respective owners,
unless specifically noted otherwise. Use of a term in this
document should not be regarded as affecting the validity of
any trademark or service mark.
Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen
as endorsements.
You are strongly recommended to take a backup of your system
before major installation and backups at regular intervals.
Note that the 7248-132 and the 43P-133 are two terms for the
same model, and the same goes for 7248-133 which I've also
seen referenced from time to time. These three terms describes
the exactly same model. You can safly assume that they are all
the same machine.
If you feel that this document makes your life better, makes you
glad and happy, or if you just are in a good mood, and have
nothing to do, feel free to donate hardware, money, pizzas,
e-mailed thankyous, postcards or anything to me. I can be
reached at:
e-mail: <ingvar@linpro.no>
snail-mail: Ingvar Hagelund, Asperudlia 15, NO-1258 OSLO, NORWAY.
1.3. New versions
Version 2.0
Version 1.64
Version 1.63
Version 1.62
Version 1.61
Version 1.60
Version 1.52
Version 1.51
Version 1.50
Version 1.41:
Version 1.40:
If you are reading an offline version of this document, please
note that an up to date HTML version can be found at
http://users.linpro.no/ingvar/43p.
1.4. Credits
A lot of people have given me suggestions and help on these
pages. I might have forgotten some of them, and if so, I
apologize. Please send me a note to me at
<ingvar@linpro.no>, and I'll list you here. Thanks to
all of you, I could not have done this without you.
Ingvar
Here is list of people that have been helpful, in a completely
unordered fashion :-)
Ingvar Hagelund
James Rooker
Mike McCammant
Alberto Varesio
Rolf Brudeseth
Ian Dale
Hollis R Blanchard
Linar Yusupov
Cort Dougan
Roger Bonussen
Rolf Zimmerli
Philippe Senot
John Roebuck
Jacopo Silva
Martin Espenschied
Dan Burcaw
www.linuxppc.com
Tor Arne Rein
Chien-Yu Chen
Wadamori Naoki
Arne Chr. Jørgensen
Doc Shipley
Thomas M. Nymand
Alberto Varesio
Pat Berge
Kazunori Aoshima
David Monro
Matt Porter
Olaf Hering
Xavier Piednoir
Steve Cornett
Greg Ferguson
Nader Salasshahri
Thomas Junker
1.5. Feedback
Feedback is most certainly welcome for this document. Without
your submissions and input, this document wouldn't exist. Please
send your additions, comments and criticisms to the following
e-mail address : <ingvar@linpro.no>.
1.6. Translations
This document exists in English only. If you want to translate
this document into an other language, please do so, just give me a
note, and read the copyright notices above.