Bo Thorsen - SuSE Labs (Denmark)

Running Linux on AMD's x86-64 Architecture

Linux has now almost completely been ported to the upcoming x86-64 Hammer architecture from AMD. As recently demonstrated in public, the prototype Hammer systems are now running a native SuSE Linux.

The talk will be based on my experiences as a member of the team who ported Linux to the x86-64. The talk will be two-fold:

• The first part will concentrate on the new hardware. This part will give an overview of what the chips have in them, what is on a hammer motherboard, how the bus/memory architecture is built up, how 1, 2 or 4 processor systems are made etc.
• The second part will talk of running linux on the system. This will include what the benefits for users will be with this system compared to present systems, about the port of the system and about writing applications for the new architecture. I have asked AMD for permission to do the talk on a prototype Hammer system, but they can't make any promises so far.