Requirements: Difference between revisions
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CPU architecture is an instruction set design that defines how a processor is used by software. Widely used across desktops and servers are x86 (mostly i686) and x86_64 (also known as amd64). There are other supported computer architectures that are not "x86", like mainframes, servers, and embedded devices (such as routers like Sonicwall and Cisco ones). The table below represents architectures supported by Alpine: | CPU architecture is an instruction set design that defines how a processor is used by software. Widely used across desktops and servers are x86 (mostly i686) and x86_64 (also known as amd64). There are other supported computer architectures that are not "x86", like mainframes, servers, and embedded devices (such as routers like Sonicwall and Cisco ones). The table below represents architectures supported by Alpine: | ||
{{:Include:Architecture support matrix}} | |||
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=== Memory === | === Memory === | ||
Latest revision as of 13:52, 20 December 2024
This page will tell you what requirements you will need to use the Alpine Linux operating system:
Hardware requirements
For installation and usage consider that Alpine can run on several kinds of devices, from personal computers to video game consoles, and as such you must verify the details below:
- CPU architecture
- Memory
- Storage
- Peripherals
Architectures
CPU architecture is an instruction set design that defines how a processor is used by software. Widely used across desktops and servers are x86 (mostly i686) and x86_64 (also known as amd64). There are other supported computer architectures that are not "x86", like mainframes, servers, and embedded devices (such as routers like Sonicwall and Cisco ones). The table below represents architectures supported by Alpine:
| Alpine Linux Hardware Support Matrix | |||
| Architecture | Port | Description | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| x86 | x86 | 32 bit i686 compatible (or later) CPUs with at least CMOV and SSE2 | All |
| x86_64 | AMD64 compatible 64-bit x86 instruction set | All | |
| ARM | armhf | 32 bit ARM with hard-float ABI - for ARMv6 devices- Raspberry Pi 1, Zero, ZeroW, cm1 (defconfig bcmrpi) | v3.0 |
| armv7 | 32 bit ARM - for ARMv7 devices - Raspberry Pi 2, 3, 3+, Zero2W, cm3, cm3+ (defconfig bcm2709) | v3.9 | |
| aarch64 | 64 bit ARM - for ARMv8+ devices - Raspberry Pi 3, 3+, 4, 400, Zero2W, cm3, cm3+, cm4, 5 (defconfig bcm2711) | v3.5 | |
| PowerPC | ppc64le | 64 bit PowerPC (little-endian) mostly for POWER8 and POWER9 | v3.6 |
| IBM System Z | s390x | IBM Z mainframes, especially IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE (z196 minimum) | v3.6 |
| RISC V | riscv64 | 64 bit RISC V | v3.20 |
| LoongArch | loongarch64 | 64 bit LoongArch | v3.21 |
Memory
 Most of these numbers seem to be guessed, if not outright fabricated for non x86* architectures. |
Below are shown minimum RAM amounts for various installation types and phases:
| Target Arch | Minimum RAM to start | Minimum RAM to install | Minimum RAM for GUI desktop | Enough for GUI work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| x86_64 | 128 Megs | 320 Megs | 512 Megs | 8 Gigs |
| x86 | 96 Megs | 128 Megs | 320 Megs | 3 Gigs |
| ppc64le | 128 Megs | 256 Megs | 2 Gigs | 8 Gigs |
| armhf | 256 Megs | 512 Megs | 1 Gigs | 6 Gigs |
| armv7 | 256 Megs | 512 Megs | 1 Gigs | 6 Gigs |
| aarch64 | 256 Megs | 512 Megs | 2 Gigs | 8 Gigs |
| s390x | 128 Megs | 256 Megs | 2 Gigs | N/A |
Storage
This means any external or internal storage device that can be added after or before installation to use by the Alpine Linux system.
PATA and SATA hard disk drives are supported, as well as any USB or SD card that can be detected by the Linux during installation.
Peripherals
This means any external or internal device that can be added before or after installation and detected by Alpine Linux. The peripherals that are supported depends on the current version of the Linux kernel.
Almost any GPU is supported, but certain features and 3D acceleration might depend on MESA drivers:
- Intel: Most Intel chips since approximately 2001 should work with the exception of PowerVR-based chips (such as GMA 500, GMA 600, GMA 3600, GMA 3650)
- ATI/AMD, only Radeon series with exception of recent last two years, Rage r128/mach64 series are unsupported.
- Nvidia: support for Nvidia GPUs is limited since their drivers are proprietary and built for GNU libc. Nouveau drivers are available as free alternative.
- 3DfX, S3 Savage, SiS, VIA, and Matrox are all completely unsupported since kernel 6.3 (Alpine 3.18 was the most recent version that had even the slimmest chances of these devices working)
Software requirements
Media
Alpine boot images are provided on downloads page or on a mirror
The images should be verified as in Installation, to ensure the file wasn't corrupted during transfer.
Booting
The following table describes supported firmware types, for more information please check Alpine and UEFI wiki page.
| Supported Arch | Supported firmware | Supported Types |
|---|---|---|
| x86_64 | Coreboot, Vendor/OEM | BIOS, UEFI |
| x86 | Coreboot, Vendor/OEM | BIOS, UEFI |
| ppc64le | Coreboot, Vendor/OEM | UEFI |
| armhf | Uboot, Vendor/OEM | UEFI |
| armv7 | Uboot, Vendor/OEM | UEFI |
| aarch64 | Vendor/OEM | UEFI |
| s390x | Vendor/OEM | unknown |
Space
Required storage space should be moved to the hardware section and the partitioning seems a bit out of place here. |
A default installation of Alpine requires at least 1GB of free space. You can see various partition configurations and their sizes on Alpine disk layout for UEFI/BIOS at Alpine and UEFI wiki page.
See Also