Re: [Devil-Linux-discuss] "server" version of DL for i586

[Bruce S. <bw...@ar...>]

> >>from the bios:
> >>CPU Type: Cyrix MediaGXm-S
> >>Co-Processor: Installed
> > 
> > OK, so it's not a "Pentium" at all.
> > (Pentium is a trademark of Intel, and that's not an Intel CPU).  :-)
>
> What is it then? 

It's a Cyrix CPU.  I think Cyrix was bought by IBM at some point.

Non-Intel CPU's, like Cyrix/VIA/AMD make Pentium _compatible_ CPU's.
They can't use the word "Pentium" because it's a registered trademark of
Intel Corporation.  They have their own model names, like AMD makes the
Athlon and Opteron.  The different models usually have equivalent
instruction sets as the Intel 486, 586 or 686.

When you said you had a Pentium, I thought we had an Intel CPU.  But
instead you have a Cyrix CPU and you need to find out what Pentium it's
compatible with.  (google is your friend)  :-)

> Does it belong to the i686 group? I'll download/burn 
> and try it anyway, that will be the easiest way.

If you have the bandwidth, that is probably the easiest way.

> Or is an i686 intel-specific? Was wondering what the 'i' stands for.

The "i" stand for Intel.

We compile DL optimized for i486 i586 and i686 _Intel_ CPU's.  
You can't run a newer binary on an older CPU because Intel introduced
new instructions in their newer CPU's.

As I said, you need to find out what Pentium CPU your Cyrix is
compatible with.

Our logic in creating the i686 for servers is that people who run
servers normally have at least a Pentium Pro or newer CPU.  486 and 586
CPU's are normally only used for firewalls because they are so slow by
today's standards.

And of course there is always an exception for every rule, but I think
our logic is correct in the majority of cases.

 - BS