FreeBSD-like linux distro?

[Heikki Suonsivu]

Oops, sorry, I was not specific enough:

FreeBSD 4 or older NetBSD are no go:

The computer I am doing this is not old, it is otherwise brand new, but 
it uses an embedded cpu, a 486 clone as SoC without math.  See 
www.compactpc.com.tw, eBOX 2300SX.  It is very low cost, runs on about 
3W of power with CF card as mass memory, 128M, 3 USB2, serials, sound, 
etc, it has VESA form factor so you can attach it behind many LCD 
displays, etc. They have beefier models, but this one is cheapest and 
uses least power, latter of which is the more critical requirement for us.

We would like to use it for certain control applications.  Linux works, 
has been tested, but requires patches (turn math emulation on, add 
support for built-in ethernet, bug workaround).

The problem with is that while FreeBSD 4 seemed to boot on it, it did 
not recognize any peripherals as they are new.  Old OS's are not really 
what we want, this is not one-off but volume product, it will be 
internet-connected so we need bugfixes and we need support for latest 
chipsets on 802.11 cards etc.

There is another similar CPU, even slower and less power consuming, I do 
not remember the part number, I think it was about 100 MHz 486 without 
math as well.  This was some manufacturer of microcontrollers.

Heikki

Manolis Kiagias wrote:
> Heikki Suonsivu wrote:
>> I need to get something to run on x86 computers which do not contain 
>> math in hardware, and FreeBSD dropped non-math cpus long time ago. 
>> NetBSD did the same, so Linux seems to be the only possibility.
>>
>> So, the question:
>>
>> What is the linux distro which is closest to FreeBSD in terms of 
>> installation and use.  A linux with basic userland and ports(-like) 
>> system, and quick and easy install like FreeBSD ?
>>
>> Heikki Suonsivu
>>
> 
> I don't think you will have much luck installing any modern linux distro 
> on ancient hardware. In your case, I would consider running an older 
> version of FreeBSD, like e.g. 4.11. This will work without a math 
> co-processor. You can see the hardware notes here:
> 
> http://www.freebsd.org/releases/4.11R/hardware-i386.html
> 
> Download from ftp-archive, here:
> 
> ftp://ftp-archive.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD-Archive/old-releases/i386/ISO-IMAGES/4.11 
> 
> 
> See also this very interesting post on minimum memory requirements for 
> each FreeBSD version:
> 
> http://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-doc/2006-August/011029.html
> 
> I have a 4.11 installed successfully on a 386 with 20Mb RAM.
> 
> You could also go with a Linux version specifically for old PCs, but 
> better have a look at distrowatch.com for these.
> 
> 
>