Re: Recommended hardware for ARM64 port pf FreeBSD 15?

"Dave Cottlehuber" <dch@skunkwerks.at> writes:

> On Wed, 20 Aug 2025, at 19:23, Mark Liam Brown wrote:
>> Greetings!
>>
>> Which ARM64 hardware would be recommended to run, and develop, the
>> ARM64 port of FreeBSD 15?
>> Which ARM64 do you actually use?
>>
>> Mark
>> -- 
>> IT Infrastructure Consultant
>> Windows, Linux
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> I guess it depends on if it's your money you're spending, and how
> much time you are prepared to wait for builds to complete.
>
> Aside from Raspberry Pi and similar which seem to be variable in
> whether they work reliably, based on what I see on freebsd-arm@
> list, there are a few to my knowledge in use:
>
> - honeycomb solidrun workstation https://www.solid-run.com/arm-servers-networking-platforms/honeycomb-servers-workstation/#honeycomb-lx2-workstation
> - ampere servers (pricey, excellent)
> - traverse ten64 https://ten64doc.traverse.com.au/hardware/hcl/
>   and dsl@ with bz@ ported FreeBSD to this
>
> I have a few of the Ampere servers, I can send details off-list
> if you want. The ten64 are very nice open-source-friendly
> router-style boxes. I happen to be the importer for EU for those.
>
> Other systems I'm aware of, but don't know how functional they are:
>
> - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/arm/dev-kit/
> - https://amperecomputing.com/systems/altra/kraken-comhpc-WS
>
> Many people run arm64 test/build inside a macOS VM.
>  
> A+
> Dave

I can add WHLE-LS1 [1] to the list. They can be based on LS1048A and
LS1088A (i.e. with DPAA2 similar to Ten64). I don't have either of them,
but bz@ has IIRC.

Personally, I'm running Honeycomb LX2 from SolidRun to build ports and
desktop experiments with FreeBSD/arm64 on a daily basis. It has its flaws and
some tweaking is necessary (I've a list!), but Radeon RX 460 is up and
running and even games/openmw is playable with a decent 35-40 FPS ^_^

[1] https://conclusive.tech/products/whle-ls1-sbc/#specs

Regards,
Dmitry

-- 
https://wiki.freebsd.org/DmitrySalychev