Requirements: Difference between revisions

From Alpine Linux
m (MIPS is no longer supported as of Alpine 3.15.0. Security updates are NOT being backported for this platform.)
(corrected sentences so it sounds like English, removed unnecessary {tables, boldening on text, BIOS enter instructions, arch trivia, text about video games}, corrected lists, removed recommended media for installation,)
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== Hardware requirements ==
== Hardware requirements ==


For installation and usage consider that Alpine can run on several kinds of devices, from the popular PC machine to video game consoles like the Game Boy Advance and the 3DS, and as such you must check the following of your machine:
For installation and usage consider that Alpine can run on several kinds of devices, from the popular PC machine to video game consoles like the Game Boy Advance and the 3DS, and as such you must verify below details:


** Architecture
* CPU architecture
** Memory
* Memory
** Storage
* Storage
** Peripherals
* Peripherals


=== Architectures ===
=== Architectures ===


'''Architecture means kind of computer. The most popular architecture is the misnamed "Intel IBM PC"''' or "i386" which is actually in fact the x86 or x64. There are other supported computer architectures that are not "x86", like mainframes, servers, and embedded devices (such as routers like Sonicwall and Cisco ones). Here are the architectures supported by Alpine:
CPU architecture is a instruction set design that defines how a processor is used by software. Widely used across desktops and servers are x86 (mostly i386) 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). Below table represents architectures supported by Alpine:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Supported Arch !! Supported since !! Meaning of installation and target architecture
! Supported architecture !! Available since !! Description
|-
|-
| x86_64 || all || The popular AMD64 compatible 64-bit x86 based machines, i386 is not recommended for newer/latest hardware.
| x86_64 || all || Widely spread AMD64 compatible 64-bit x86 instruction set.
|-
|-
| x86 || all || The all popular 32 bit intel (i386 pc 32bit) and x86_64 (i686 pc 64bit and amd64)compatible (both)
| x86 || all || Another widely used instruction set which is 32-bit.
|-
|-
| ppc64le || v3.6 || For the PowerPC devices with pure little-endian mode, mostly for POWER8 and POWER9
| ppc64le || v3.6 || For the PowerPC devices with pure little-endian mode, mostly for POWER8 and POWER9
|-
|-
| armhf || v3.0 || The newer ARM hard-float for newer, more powerful 32-bit devices alongside 64-bit. Including video games!
| armhf || v3.0 || ARM instruction set with hard-float point extension.
|-
|-
| armv7 || v3.9 || The 32-bit ARM only execution state of the ARMv7 devices machines. Including video game consoles!
| armv7 || v3.9 || The 32-bit ARM only execution state of the ARMv7 devices machines.
|-
|-
| aarch64 || v3.5 || The 64-bit ARM only execution state of the ARMv8 device machines. Like Rasberri's
| aarch64 || v3.5 || The 64-bit ARM only execution state of the ARMv8+ device machines.
|-
|-
| ppc64le || v3.6 || for 64-bit big-endian PowerPC and Power ISA processors like some MAC computers.
| ppc64le || v3.6 || For 64-bit big-endian PowerPC and Power ISA processors like some MAC computers.
|-
|-
| s390x || v3.6 || For the Super powered IBM mainframes, especially IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE servers.
| s390x || v3.6 || For the Super powered IBM mainframes, especially IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE servers.
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=== Memory ===
=== Memory ===


'''Means minimum amount of RAM memory. Need of RAM it depends of the meaning of the installation''', any hardware are supported and there is minimum sizes for:
Below are shown minimum RAM amounts for various installation types and phases:


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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=== Storage ===
=== Storage ===


'''Means any external or internal storage device that can be added after or before install to use''' by the Alpine Linux system. Currently depends of the current linux kernel supported.
Means any external or internal storage device that can be added after or before install to use by the Alpine Linux system. Currently depends of the current linux kernel supported.


'''All the PATA and SATA hard disk drives are supported, also any USB or SD''' card that can be detected by USB BUS by the linux kernel subsystem during install.
All the PATA and SATA hard disk drives are supported, also any USB or SD card that can be detected by USB BUS by the linux kernel subsystem during install.


=== Peripherals ===
=== Peripherals ===


'''Means any external or internal device that can be added after or before install to detectd''' by the Alpine Linux system. Currently depends of the current linux kernel supported.
Means any external or internal device that can be added after or before install to detectd by the Alpine Linux system. Depends on the current version of Linux kernel.


ISA devices are not supported since 3.8 because kernel drops support.
ISA devices are not supported since 3.8 because they have been dropped from Linux kernel.


Almost any GPU are supported, but for advanced features, 3D acceleration are manager by MESA project:
Almost any GPU are supported, but certain features and 3D acceleration might depend on MESA drivers:


* Intel: mostly any Intel by one exception, intel i810/i815 will lack of features cos only has 4Mb memory, Mesa and Linux drop theit support.
* Intel: mostly any Intel by one exception, Intel i810/i815 will lack features since it has only 4Mb memory, support for it has been dropped by Mesa and Linux.
* ATI/AMD, only radeon series with exception of recent two last years respect Alpine release, Rage r128/match64 series has limited support.
* ATI/AMD, only Radeon series with exception of recent last two years, Rage r128/match64 series has limited support.
* Nvidia: limited; only few are complete supported! not all features are allowed!
* Nvidia: support for Nvidia GPUs is limited since their drivers are proprietary and built for GNU libc. Nouveau drivers are available as free alternative.
* Matrox: not all features are supported, just cos are shipped on most servers.
* Matrox: not all features are supported.
* Sis: limited features are supported, since code are not updated on Xorg and Linux kernel
* Sis: limited features are supported, due to limited support from upstream.
* Via: limited features are supported, since openchrome code are not updated on Xorg and Linux kernel
* Via: limited features are supported, due to limited support from upstream.


== Software requirements ==
== Software requirements ==
** Media
** Booting
** Storage
** Firmware


=== Media ===
=== Media ===


'''Means the files need for dump the install media, and later boot from the target install''' machine, of course downloaded from http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/releases/ or main Download page.
Alpine boot images are provided on [https://alpinelinux.org/downloads/ downloads page] or on a [https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/releases/ mirror]
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Available for !! ISO (for USB, CD/DVD) !! IMG (for Netboot)  !! TAR (for ROOTFS, in tar.gz) !! Download links
|-
| x86_64 || YES || YES || N/A || http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/releases/x86_64/
|-
| x86 || YES || YES || N/A || http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/releases/x86/
|-
| ppc64le || NO || YES || YES || http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/releases/ppc64le/
|-
| armhf || NO || YES || YES || http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/releases/armhf/
|-
| armv7 || NO || YES || YES || http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/releases/armv7/
|-
| aarch64 ||  YES || YES || YES || http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/releases/aarch64/
|-
| s390x || YES || YES || N/A || http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/releases/s390x/
|}


The images should be verified as in [[Installation]], to ensure file is correct and will work.
The images should be verified as in [[Installation]], to ensure file wasn't corrupted during transfer.


=== Booting ===
=== Booting ===


'''Means support for kind of BIOS setup of machine, and where can be media downloaded will be boot''', please for more info check [[Alpine_and_UEFI|Alpine and UEFI]] wiki page.
Following table describes supported BIOS types, for more information please check [[Alpine_and_UEFI|Alpine and UEFI]] wiki page.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Supported Arch !! Supported BIOS !! Supported Types !! Media Boot Recommended
! Supported Arch !! Supported BIOS !! Supported Types
|-
|-
| x86_64 || Coreboot, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI || '''USB''', CD/DVD (ISO)
| x86_64 || Coreboot, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI
|-
|-
| x86 || Coreboot, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI || '''USB''', CD/DVD (ISO)
| x86 || Coreboot, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI
|-
|-
| ppc64le || Coreboot, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI || '''USB''', CD/DVD (ISO)
| ppc64le || Coreboot, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI
|-
|-
| armhf || Uboot, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI || '''NET''', MINIROOTFS (TAR.GZ)
| armhf || Uboot, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI
|-
|-
| armv7 || Uboot, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI || '''NET''', MINIROOTFS (TAR.GZ)
| armv7 || Uboot, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI
|-
|-
| aarch64 || ?Coreboot?, Vendor/OEM || BIOS, ?UEFI? || '''USB''', CD/DVD (ISO)
| aarch64 || Vendor/OEM || BIOS, UEFI
|-
|-
| s390x || Vendor/OEM || BIOS, ?UEFI?|| '''USB''', CD/DVD
| s390x || Vendor/OEM || unknown
|}
|}
If the computer does not automatically boot from the desired device, one needs to bring up the boot menu selection for choosing the media to boot from. Depending on the computer the menu may be accessed by quickly (repeatedly) pressing a key when booting starts, or sometimes it is needed to press the button before starting the computer and keep holding it when it boots. Typical keys are:  `F9`-`F12`, sometimes `F7` or `F8`. If these don't bring up the boot menu, it may be necessary to enter the BIOS configuration and adjust the boot settings, for which typical keys are: `Del.` `F1` `F2` `F6` or `Esc.`


=== Space ===
=== Space ===


'''This means amount of available space in disk partitions to perform a kind of install''' and of course will depends of type and meaning of your desired install, this are the recommended sizes but depends of the BIOS/UEFI supported you must perform and read the [[Alpine_and_UEFI#Alpine_disk_layout_for_UEFI|Alpine disk layout for UEFI/BIOS at Alpine and UEFI]] wiki page.
A default installation of Alpine requires at least 1GB of free space. You can see various partition configurations and it's sizes on [[Alpine_and_UEFI#Alpine_disk_layout_for_UEFI|Alpine disk layout for UEFI/BIOS at Alpine and UEFI]] wiki page.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Minimum sizes !! Partition for BOOT (<code>/boot</code>) !! Partition for ROOT (<code>/</code>) !! Partition for HOME (<code>/home</code>) !! Partition for SWAP (<code>N/A</code>)
|-
| base only || 100 Megs || 500 Megs || 1 Gigs || Optional
|-
| default server || 200 Megs || 2 Gigs || 2 Gigs || 4 Gigs
|-
| default desktop || 250 Megs || 12 Gigs || 80 Gigs || 8 Gigs
|-
| mail server || 200 Megs || 20 Gigs || 20+ Gigs || 8 Gigs
|-
| web server || 200 Megs || 10 Gigs || 20+ Gigs || 8 Gigs
|}


= See Also =
= See Also =

Revision as of 21:49, 2 April 2022

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 the popular PC machine to video game consoles like the Game Boy Advance and the 3DS, and as such you must verify below details:

  • CPU architecture
  • Memory
  • Storage
  • Peripherals

Architectures

CPU architecture is a instruction set design that defines how a processor is used by software. Widely used across desktops and servers are x86 (mostly i386) 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). Below table represents architectures supported by Alpine:

Supported architecture Available since Description
x86_64 all Widely spread AMD64 compatible 64-bit x86 instruction set.
x86 all Another widely used instruction set which is 32-bit.
ppc64le v3.6 For the PowerPC devices with pure little-endian mode, mostly for POWER8 and POWER9
armhf v3.0 ARM instruction set with hard-float point extension.
armv7 v3.9 The 32-bit ARM only execution state of the ARMv7 devices machines.
aarch64 v3.5 The 64-bit ARM only execution state of the ARMv8+ device machines.
ppc64le v3.6 For 64-bit big-endian PowerPC and Power ISA processors like some MAC computers.
s390x v3.6 For the Super powered IBM mainframes, especially IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE servers.

Memory

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_64 512 Megs 512 Megs 2 Gigs 8 Gigs
x86_32 128 Megs 256 Megs 1 Gigs 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
ppc64le 256 Megs 512 Megs 1 Gigs 6 Gigs
s390x 128 Megs 256 Megs 2 Gigs N/A

Storage

Means any external or internal storage device that can be added after or before install to use by the Alpine Linux system. Currently depends of the current linux kernel supported.

All the PATA and SATA hard disk drives are supported, also any USB or SD card that can be detected by USB BUS by the linux kernel subsystem during install.

Peripherals

Means any external or internal device that can be added after or before install to detectd by the Alpine Linux system. Depends on the current version of Linux kernel.

ISA devices are not supported since 3.8 because they have been dropped from Linux kernel.

Almost any GPU are supported, but certain features and 3D acceleration might depend on MESA drivers:

  • Intel: mostly any Intel by one exception, Intel i810/i815 will lack features since it has only 4Mb memory, support for it has been dropped by Mesa and Linux.
  • ATI/AMD, only Radeon series with exception of recent last two years, Rage r128/match64 series has limited support.
  • Nvidia: support for Nvidia GPUs is limited since their drivers are proprietary and built for GNU libc. Nouveau drivers are available as free alternative.
  • Matrox: not all features are supported.
  • Sis: limited features are supported, due to limited support from upstream.
  • Via: limited features are supported, due to limited support from upstream.

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 file wasn't corrupted during transfer.

Booting

Following table describes supported BIOS types, for more information please check Alpine and UEFI wiki page.

Supported Arch Supported BIOS Supported Types
x86_64 Coreboot, Vendor/OEM BIOS, UEFI
x86 Coreboot, Vendor/OEM BIOS, UEFI
ppc64le Coreboot, Vendor/OEM BIOS, UEFI
armhf Uboot, Vendor/OEM BIOS, UEFI
armv7 Uboot, Vendor/OEM BIOS, UEFI
aarch64 Vendor/OEM BIOS, UEFI
s390x Vendor/OEM unknown

Space

A default installation of Alpine requires at least 1GB of free space. You can see various partition configurations and it's sizes on Alpine disk layout for UEFI/BIOS at Alpine and UEFI wiki page.

See Also

  1. Installation
  2. Alpine_newbie Install section


Retrieved from "https://wiki.alpinelinux.org/w/index.php?title=Requirements&oldid=21681"