Re: 64-bit Linux Emulation on AMD64?

[Andreas Maus]

On 12/19/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Alex.


Hello,

I've got a fresh new 4.0/AMD64 system installed, and after sitting down

Congratulations ;)


to add Linux binary compatibility, I see that it apparently doesn't
exist on this platform. After some archive digging, it doesn't appear
that the idea has been thoroughly discussed, especially since adding
32-bit Linux binary support would be difficult at best
(http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=openbsd-miscm=109036873227847w=2).

Unfortunately Linux compatbility is for i386 only - from options(4):

option COMPAT_LINUX
On those architectures that support it, this enables binary compatibility
with Linux ELF and a.out applications built for the same architecture.
This option is supported on the i386 architecture.  See compat_linux(8).

Although I would love to see compatibilty for Linux 64Bit (amd64 - not ia64 ;)
on OpenBSD, I can live without it.

If there applications that ships _only_ with Linux binaries - and without
source code to compile for myself - I consider this apps as BLOBs
and BLOBs are bd! ^^

Andreas.

--
Hobbes : Shouldn't we read the instructions?
Calvin : Do I look like a sissy?

64-bit Linux Emulation on AMD64?

[alex]

Hello,

I've got a fresh new 4.0/AMD64 system installed, and after sitting down 
to add Linux binary compatibility, I see that it apparently doesn't 
exist on this platform. After some archive digging, it doesn't appear 
that the idea has been thoroughly discussed, especially since adding 
32-bit Linux binary support would be difficult at best 
(http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=openbsd-miscm=109036873227847w=2).


Since I'm not exactly familiar with what exactly makes Linux 
compatibility work behind the scenes, I apologize if this is a dumb 
question...but would it be feasible to add support for Linux/AMD64 
binaries on OpenBSD/AMD64? It seems like this would eliminate the 
problem of 32-to-64 bit conversions/wackiness, though I wouldn't be 
surprised if other nasty problems were lurking under the hood.


If this is within the realm of possibility, I'd be interested in 
working to make it a reality. Given my lack of experience, I could 
probably be more helpful as a tester for someone else who was 
attempting to implement this...but if there's no one out there 
interested in working on a project like this, I'd be willing to take a 
stab at it myself, especially if whoever is responsible for i386 Linux 
compatibility was willing to speak with me regarding at least the 
basics of what would be necessary.


Alex Kirk