valisk's Journal: Aurora Sparc Linux

Normally, when installing Linux on a Sparc box that I'm selling I stick Debian on, it's good, easy to install, quick to update etc. etc. etc.
Woody does have some issues when running the base-config, these issues are particularly prevalent when installing on Ultra 1 units, requiring boring and lengthy workarounds.
Until recently the best option was to install Redhat 6.2, an aging but easy to install distro. However Redhat have discontinued support from March this year, so no security updates, and no new versions of Redhat are being planned for the Sparc Architecture.
This is where we say hello to Aurora.

The Aurora crew are a bunch of enthusiasts who were happily using their Sparcs to run Redhat when the project was canned, rather than just jump to x86 hardware they decided to resurect it themselves and recently release rev 1.0 of their port.

The Aurora guys have taken Redhat release 7.3 and produced a Sparc version including Sparc SRPMS, which can be used to update 6.2 and are at present working on producing a 9.x compatible version. They also compile Redhat errata and security release rpms, which is very useful.

A fresh installation is a breeze, using Anaconda to do the dirty work, means you can select one of the defaults and sit back and swap disks when needed, the only problem I noticed, and to be fair it was listed in their bugzilla and faq, is that Framebuffer ram is not autodetected, so in case you never did know how much VRAM was present on your Creator 3d now the time to go look on Sunsolve
Following installation, you get to finalise a few video settings, which are also bugged, but choosing auto detect will correct that or simply running an xconfig program, then reboot and unless you are unlucky and your kernel panics, life is beautiful.
Aurora is Redhat 7.3 so if you have used that release you know what to expect, a good polished Linux experience, with a nice tidy Redhat desktop, it does not feature Bluecurve, though the more determined can download the RPMS from Aurora's alpha project, Corona, and go from there.
I won't dwell on how nice Aurora is, as most people have their own ideas on Redhats offerings and I'm not going to change any minds in that respect.
Simply put Aurora is as solid and simple to use as Redhat, which is very nice for those who don't want to 'mess around' with their distro and I recommend you try it.