Gentoo Linux/MIPS Frequently Asked Questions

1.0 2005-04-23 About this document

This FAQ is intended to answer some common questions that we receive from various users. It's aimed at both new users, and experienced users alike. It has been split into a number of categories to make navigation easier.

If you have anything to contribute to the FAQ, or, having read this guide, you still have questions unanswered, feel free to drop us a line.

About the Gentoo/MIPS Project

What is Gentoo/MIPS?

Gentoo/MIPS is a small project within the Gentoo Foundation, responsible for looking after the MIPS port of Gentoo Linux. We currently look after two main subarchitectures of the MIPS family, specifically, Silicon Graphics systems, and MIPS-based Cobalt servers.

Why install Gentoo Linux on MIPS?

Okay, sure, some MIPS machines aren't the fastest boxes on the block these days. However, despite the age of some of these beasts, they still can make very functional, useful machines. A Cobalt Qube 2, could make a very nice broadband internet router, capable of hosting websites, email, IRC, and numerous other tasks. There are a number of reasons why you'd want to install Linux on this sort of hardware.

It teaches you a lot about computer hardware by giving you an alternate frame of reference
It allows you to turn what would otherwise be useless junk into a very functional system
Status Symbol: Linux on x86 is so common these days it's not funny. However, Linux on MIPS is a lot less common, and quite a talking point.

Why don't you port Gentoo to NetBSD/MIPS or IRIX?

Hey, great idea. Unfortunately, a lot of the Gentoo/MIPS team already have their hands full looking after Linux/MIPS as well as other commitments. However, you're welcome to give it a try. May I suggest raising this on the Gentoo Forums and see what the interest is first. Also, have a look at some of the other threads on porting Gentoo to other architectures such as Solaris/SPARC, IBM OS/2 and Microsoft Services For Unix for hints on how to proceed. If, after some hacking you get something useful out of it... chances are a few developers will pick up on this and help you get it to the next stage.

MIPS Hardware FAQs

What is MIPS?

MIPS Technologies is a company that produce a number of RISC CPU cores which implement the MIPS Instruction Set Architecture. These processors appear in all sorts of hardware ranging from small embedded devices to large servers.

It also happens to be an acronym; Millions of Instructions Per Second.

What sort of hardware uses MIPS processors?

Good quesion. In short... Heaps. MIPS Processors see use inside all sorts of machines, ranging from small PDAs (such as the early Windows CE powered Casio PDAs), X Terminals (e.g. Tektronix TekXPress XP330 series), through to workstations such as the Silicon Graphics Indy and O2, and even high end servers such as the Silicon Graphics Origin 2000.

Here is a list of some of the more famous MIPS-based systems in use. A more comprehensive list can be found on the Linux/MIPS website

PlayStation
PlayStation 2
PlayStation Pocket Nintendo 64 Iris Indigo
Challenge
Onyx
Indy
Indigo 2
Challenge S
Origin 200
Origin 2000
Onyx 2
Octane
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Sony Game Consoles
Nintendo Game Consoles
Silicon Graphics Machines