Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

jalexander9 · 2016-05-09 17:54:02

I came across this announcement from Debian regarding i386 processors no longer supported on next release cycle (Debian 9 - Stretch). Also, that support will continue on i686-class processors.

Here is the Debian announcement:

https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-a … 00001.html

Horizon_Brave · 2016-05-09 18:12:53

What this is inturpretted to mean is that any i686 and newer will still be supported correct? The i686 is still 32 bit I think... I wonder if we'll ever get to the point where the entire x86 32 bit family will be unsupported on future builds...

jalexander9 · 2016-05-09 18:49:02

Yes, I believe you are correct. I am currently using an i686-pae kernel on my Bunsenlabs installed system, and of course, 32-bit.

Since I have distro-hopped a bit I know that some distro's have already stopped support of i386, many consider these to be 'legacy.'

EDIT: The openSuSE Leap 42 version was made only for 64-bit systems, as an example; I used the openSuSE Tumbleweed for a while
which still gave 32-bit support.

Last edited by jalexander9 (2016-05-09 18:55:21)

Horizon_Brave · 2016-05-09 19:24:15

jalexander9 wrote:

EDIT: The openSuSE Leap 42 version was made only for 64-bit systems, as an example; I used the openSuSE Tumbleweed for a while

lol, first of all I like the fact that the release is actually called Tumbleweed...if it mission is to support 32bit, that's such a perfect name

Either way, I'm still a bit surprised by the move away from i386. I'm curious to find out what percentage of people though are still running with any processor in the i383 family.

Last edited by Horizon_Brave (2016-05-09 19:25:19)

Head_on_a_Stick · 2016-05-09 20:47:18

Horizon_Brave wrote:

Tumbleweed

That's the name given to OpenSUSE's rolling release -- apparently it's a very appropriate name 'cos the distribution doesn't roll very smoothly...

Also: https://forums.bunsenlabs.org/viewtopic … 458#p26458

johnraff · 2016-05-10 06:32:47

Horizon_Brave wrote:

I'm curious to find out what percentage of people though are still running with any processor in the i383 family.

My guess: extremely few, going on zero. The 686 Pentium came out in 1995. Any machines with 383 processors are going to be hopelessly underpowered - in RAM for example - to even think of running the current DebianLinux.

Horizon_Brave · 2016-07-23 01:17:05

Not to bring up a topic that's been cold for a few months.... but I have a question, what's the advantage or need to drop support of the i386? The way I understand it.. is if the linux kernel is written for the i386, then it's comptatible with the 486, 586, 686, 786 etc... So what's the need to drop off the first few architectures, and start the kernal's compatibility at the i686? if support for the i386 covers the entire 32bit range of the above listed architectures, why not just keep it there?

Horizon_Brave · 2016-07-23 01:58:08

Actually I stand corrected:

"However, Debian GNU/Linux jessie will not run on 486 or earlier processors. Despite the architecture name "i386", support for actual 80386 and 80486 processors (and their clones) was dropped with the Sarge (r3.1) and Squeeze (r6.0) releases of Debian, respectively. The Intel Pentium and clones, including those without an FPU (Floating-Point Unit or math coprocessor), are supported."

From:

https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/ … 01.html.en

hhh · 2016-07-23 03:11:19

jalexander9 wrote:

I came across this announcement from Debian regarding i386 processors no longer supported on next release cycle (Debian 9 - Stretch). Also, that support will continue on i686-class processors.
Here is the Debian announcement:
https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-a … 00001.html

You've misinterpreted this announcement. They're not dropping 32 bit support, they're dropping the non-PAE 586 kernel. The processors affected are listed in the announcement.

jalexander9 · 2016-07-23 20:47:25

Well, sorry, I was just being the messenger giving the heads-up of this initial announcement. The term "i386" can be used as a term for the entire architecture class; or, as reference to specific processors. (80386 i.e.)

BTW this was back in May?

Last edited by jalexander9 (2016-07-23 20:49:41)

hhh · 2016-07-23 20:56:19

The thread got bumped and I missed it originally. I was just giving more info, sorry!

#1 2016-05-09 17:54:02

Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

#2 2016-05-09 18:12:53

Re: Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

#3 2016-05-09 18:49:02

Re: Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

#4 2016-05-09 19:24:15

Re: Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

#5 2016-05-09 20:47:18

Re: Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

#6 2016-05-10 06:32:47

Re: Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

#7 2016-07-23 01:17:05

Re: Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

#8 2016-07-23 01:58:08

Re: Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

#9 2016-07-23 03:11:19

Re: Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

#10 2016-07-23 20:47:25

Re: Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

#11 2016-07-23 20:56:19

Re: Debian to require i386 processors to use i686-class on next release

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