Testing Linux modules for ARM64
A Call to ARMs
Twenty years ago Linux was ported to a 64-bit RISC processor. Now the challenge is to put GNU/Linux on modern 64-bit ARM processors.
It has been 21 years since I first met Linux Torvalds in May 1994 and 20 years since the first DEC Alpha [1] port of GNU/Linux hit the streets in late 1995. At that time the Alpha was the fastest microprocessor in the world and the first 64-bit RISC processor that Linus supported with his source code tree. I was proud of how fast that processor ran GNU/Linux, and just to prove it was a real 64-bit port, Linus did an mmap of huge amounts of virtual memory, much more than a 32-bit system could support in one image.
Still, 20 years is a long time, and when you look back at the Alpha in light of today's processors it is relatively slow, running at clock speeds of 300-400MHz and using so much electricity that when we put one of the chips in a laptop, it gave one Navy Admiral who was wearing his summer white shorts third-degree burns on his knees … true story!
All of this reflects back to the performance contest [2] that Linaro has been sponsoring for the past year and two new events that made the performance contest easier to enter and win. The contest was originally conceived to test and port 1,400 software modules that contained assembly language to ARM's new 64-bit architecture.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.