Very Computer

Quote:

> I was wondering if there is a Linux port for the NeXT cube/slab, which
> use 68030/40 processors.  While I like running NeXTSTEP on the machine
> I use for my work, I'd love to take one of my extra machines and use
> it as a server running Linux, which has many more capablilities that
> NeXTSTEP (ip masqerading, most importantly).  Anyone?  Peace,

I'm well aware that I may be getting on the nerve of Linux gurus here
(I mean, c.o.l.m68k), but NetBSD-current now has the NeXT port which
includes ipfil that does IP NAT (nearly equivalent to what's called IP
masquerading in the Linux world), if that's good enough for you.  If
you have reasons to prefer Linux over BSD, I'll just shut up, but if
your objective is to run a variant of free UN*X with IP {masquerade,
NAT} on your spare NeXT box, NetBSD-current may be what you're looking
for.

However, not having run it myself, I can't say anything about its
stability, etc., but NetBSD has been extremely stable on my Macintosh
Quadra 840AV (a 68040 box).

See http://www.netbsd.org for more info or join a mailing list (see
the web site for info on the mailing lists).

Ken
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Quote:> I'm well aware that I may be getting on the nerve of Linux gurus here
> (I mean, c.o.l.m68k), but NetBSD-current now has the NeXT port which
> includes ipfil that does IP NAT (nearly equivalent to what's called IP
> masquerading in the Linux world), if that's good enough for you.  If
> you have reasons to prefer Linux over BSD, I'll just shut up, but if
> your objective is to run a variant of free UN*X with IP {masquerade,
> NAT} on your spare NeXT box, NetBSD-current may be what you're looking
> for.

I use Linux at home, at work, everywhere, but NetBSD is fine with me
anywhere its applicable.  In this case, and having talked to Alan Cox
in person about this, I'd suggest you give NetBSD a try before Linux.
Alan sounded quite down about ever having a very usable Linux port done
to the NeXT because of Apple's (still enforced) silly secret hardware.
Alan made it clear that he had used much of NetBSD's code as hints into
the M68Ks (for both the Mac II and the NeXT projects), and I had
gathered that NetBSD would probably have been farther along in the project.

Of course both projects can share information, and that's the best way
to improve progress, but the future of the Linux port to NeXT machines
seems kinda dark, thanks to Steve Jobs.

If you're looking to do network address translation (NAT, or masquerading),
give NetBSD a try, I'd bet it's more likely to support your network
card at this point, and some people say it even works.  :)

Quote:> See http://www.netbsd.org for more info or join a mailing list (see
> the web site for info on the mailing lists).

The Linux on NeXT project has a page, but I don't know the URL.  linux.org
might have a pointer to it, but check out NetBSD.

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