Sony Adds PS3 Support to Linux Kernel

mu22le writes "A few Sony patches to the Linux kernel have just been merged in the mainline tree, to be included in the 2.6.20 release. The patches add 'core platform support for the PS3 game console and other devices using the PS3 hypervisor.'" From the Linux Devices article: "Linux gained generic support for the Cell processor, on which the PS3 is based, with the 2.6.13 release in June of 2005. The new Sony-contributed patches to the 2.6.20 kernel appear to add machine-specific support for technology such as the PS3's memory architecture, DMA (direct memory access) model, and SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) model. A Yellow Dog Linux (YDL) distribution has been available for the PS3 since October, thanks to a development deal between Sony and YDL publisher TerraSoft. However, YDL so far has not been bundled with early PS3 shipments, despite earlier indications from Sony Entertainment's CEO, Ken Kuturagi."

Comments

At the moment

[joshetc]

At the moment this is the only reason I would even consider buying a PS3 sometime in the future. It is really great to see them supporting the Linux community by making porting to their console much easier...

Re:At the moment

[brenddie]

Lets just hope that it doesnt go the way of the PS2 and once they get done evading whatever taxes game consoles have over PCs and abandon support for linux. At least this time the hardware is interesting enough to keep people working/hacking the console.

Re:At the moment

[fistfullast33l]

On top of this, IGN did a review of the Linux rollout Main takeaways:

• The graphics chip is not supported at the moment, and neither is 3D graphics. IGN reports that one half of the system's memory isn't visible. This makes sense since the 512MB is split between the video and the processor.
• The system runs pretty smoothly. Startup for Firefox was about 5 seconds, which sounds normal to me on my P4 3ghz running E17.
• Screenshots include the E17 desktop, which looks fairly complete. No word on what modules are supported for E17, but remember it's in active development and just recently overhauled the entire module system, including adding the shelf.
• You can only install Linux in one of two configurations - a 50/10 split on the 60gb drive. So you either give most of your space to linux or to the PS3 for games and media, but you can't split it 30/30 or any other way.
• Unlike a comment below, IGN reports that the Wireless card is supported, but not automatically detected. You'll have to choose the driver manually apparently.
• Firefox, Thunderbird, Gaim, the GIMP, and OO.o are included. Flash is not since it doesn't exist for the Cell processor yet.
• Titan, which I've never heard of, is the default media player but has no plugins available. You have to download them on your own.
  
  
  Seems like a nice rollout, but I don't like the hard drive allocation. It'd be nice if you could just install the OS's side by side and let them share media across. I hope you can do that.

Re:At the moment

[CronoCloud]

It was YABASIC in Europe that was included with PS2s to evade the tax, which doesn't exist anymore. The Linux kit for the PS2 or Linux for the PS3 have nothing to do with that. I don't know why that urban legend keeps showing up.

You did know that the official PS2 Linux sit is still up and running, they didn't abandon support, they just sold all the kits.

What is the point

[HappySqurriel]

Beyond the geek factor, what is the point of Linux on the PS3?

Does it do anything that you couldn't do with a much less expensive PC that you can install Linux on? I just don't get it ...

Re:What is the point

[snoyberg]

Doesn't the Cell perform some scientific calculations very well? Sounds like a motivation to me. Also, for those so inclined you could theoretically utilize the extra processing power of your PS3 from your Linux box through clustering.

Re:What is the point

[joshetc]

$600 isnt a bad price for a high end media PC.

Plus it can play games and bluray media.

In a way I agree with you though, if I wound up buying one itd probably be after the cost goes down a bit..

Re:What is the point

[Enoxice]

Are you imploring us to imagine a Beowulf cluster of PS3s? Intriguing...

Re:What is the point

[joshetc]

Even the best high-end media PC is useless without proper graphics drivers. There's no sign that nvidia puts out some drivers for the RSX in the PS3, yet.

Thats a really good point. Sony supporting PS3 could push nvidia to develop drivers for it which might wind up benefiting even us non-ps3 linux users.

Re:What is the point

[king-manic]

A cell procesor computer for a grand with a decent GPU and insane memory bandwidth. It's got a few niches (poverty stricken research labs comes ot mind).

Re:What is the point

[Oddscurity]

Indeed, theoretically it's a more than decent platform for F@H, et al.

Re:What is the point

[xero314]

As I software developer with out a license to an existing Dev Kit or The money to set up a Cell Based server (the only other Cell development options) I could see the use in it as a learning tool. Oh plus it plays 3 generation on Console games, DVDs, CDs and BluRay disks, etc...

Re:What is the point

[Osty]

$600 isnt a bad price for a high end media PC.

What "high end" media PC has 256MB of shared memory? Low-end non-media PCs have 512MB of RAM (shared with the video card) these days. Even the Xbox 360 has 512MB of shared memory. A high-end media PC is more likely to have 1GB+ of system RAM and a video card with its own dedicated RAM. Multi-purpose machines need more RAM. Game consoles don't need as much because they have control over what they do with the RAM (few or no other processes running, access to the underlying hardware, etc).

Re:What is the point

[AuMatar]

You do. I'm not wasteful like that. USB is a high overhead protocol thats wasteful of CPU time for something as straightforward as a mouse or keyboard. Why spend 4 times the time you have to in a USB interrupt instead of a quick PS/2 one? On top of that, it causes 2 single points of failure (USB circuit shorts? Now everything is broken, its a shared bus. With PS/2, only your printer breaks)- the hardware and the drivers. I prefer having my mouse and keyboard use an easier to code, unchanging, decade old interface so that if something goes wrong with USB my computer is usable.

Re:What is the point

[Anonymous Coward]

Get a life.

Re:What is the point

[smash]

I'll bet you ran and stuck your head in the sand when it came time to learn protected mode x86, too.

If your PS2 port breaks, you're fucked (no keyboard). If your USB port breaks, you've got another one.

The cpu usage is a non-issue. It may be "wasteful" but seriously, there's far more serious problems to solve than cutting down your keyboard's utilisation down from 0.01% of a single cpu - you can cut that time down by 99% and its still no real gain.

I'm all for optimisation, but seriously...

Re:What is the point

[Quarters]

I prefer having my mouse and keyboard use an easier to code, unchanging, decade old interface

Ah, so you do like to use USB, which was first released in Jan of 1996. PS/2 ports, on the other hand, have been around since the PS/2 computer was introduced--circa 1987 or so.

Re:What is the point

[CronoCloud]

Your RAM would go even further using fluxbox, XFCE or even the e17 Yellow Dog 5.0 uses. :-)

Rootkit

[nogginthenog]

Does it include the 'CD copy protection' loadable module?

We are winning.

[gunny01]

Put that up your pipe and smoke it NetBSD! You don't support Cell! So much for 'Of Course it Supports NetBSD!'

Win Win scenario

[jmorris42]

I just hope Sony understands just what a winning scenario this could be for everyone.

Imagine. Play this right, let the bugs settle out for a few months and then start passing out ready to go DVDs on gaming mag covers. Sell a ready to rock kit with a preloaded memory key, DVD, keyboard and mouse. Instantly a PS3 is a gaming rig, BlueRay player AND a fully functional PC, ready for web browsing, OO.o, etc. Given just a small push and penetration could easilly hit 50% of an installed base likely to number in the tens of millions within two to three years.

For Sony the upside is realizing the sales pitch that a PS3 is more than a console, being able to make the pitch that a PS3 purchase for the kids is ALSO a PC purchase. Plus if it kills a few PC sales why should Sony care? Their desktop PC division is all but dead (laptops are of course another story, they make some cool lappies) and every Windows PC sale is money in their enemy's hand.

For us penguinheads we have to grit our teeth a bit at the idea of Sony succeeding but they ARE doing it the right way in this case so we have to be ready to give em props. Just imagine millions of DESKTOP LINUX installs. Millions! If PS3 ends up selling well and that penetration percentage goes much over 50% Linux could be the #2 desktop OS, pushing Apple to #3. Talk about irony, if Apple abandoned PPC for Intel and a PPC platform ended up defeating them. Balmer wouldn't be the only Steve hurling furniture. :)

Re:Win Win scenario

[poot_rootbeer]

Instantly a PS3 is a gaming rig, BlueRay player AND a fully functional PC, ready for web browsing, OO.o, etc.

Yes, a box with only 256MB of general-purpose RAM is IDEAL for web browsing, Open Office, etc.....

Given just a small push and penetration could easilly hit 50% of an installed base likely to number in the tens of millions within two to three years.

I don't know which claim is more unlikely... that PS3 Linux would be of interest to anywhere near 50% of PS3 owners, or that Sony will be able to sell tens of millions of PS3s in the next couple of years.

Re:Win Win scenario

[jmorris42]

> that PS3 Linux would be of interest to anywhere near 50% of PS3 owners

And why not? What do most people use a PC for?

1. Internet: Web, IM, etc. PS3 running Linux can do that. Especially once the installed base gets big enough to ensure things like a current Flash and other needed bits are ported in a timely manner.

2. Games. Everyone always rips linux gaming with wiseass cracks like, yea, assuming you think Tux Racer is state of the art, etc. Duh, reboot and it is a Playstation 3 again, bet that can satisfy most people's gamer cravings. Remember, this is oficially supported Linux, no modchips and no worries about being locked out of playing games.

3. Basic productivity. OO.o can do that. Running a hog like OO.o in 256M will be a bit of bother but not insurmountable if you are only doing a bit of that stuff and on small home size documents.

4. Multimedia. The thing already supports direct YUV video modes in all of the HD, ED and SD resolutions under Linux. A Media player setup is a no brainer even if you have to download the packages from Europe. MythTV's frontend will love running on one.

Given that can't you see smart parents buying the kids a PS3 instead of an Xbox360 and a PC? Or that many owners will take advantage of the ability to have a spare PC when they aren't gaming?

> or that Sony will be able to sell tens of millions of PS3s in the next couple of years

Do you think it will still be $599 by next xmas? And that the supply issues with blue lasers will still limit supply of consoles? Ok.

Re:Win Win scenario

[Trelane]

Yes, a box with only 256MB of general-purpose RAM is IDEAL for web browsing, Open Office, etc.....

Actually, it's not so bad. You would likely be surprised.

Re:Win Win scenario

[ucblockhead]

Sony won't push Linux on the PS3 until it starts selling it at a profit. People buying PS3s to install Linux and never buying a game is Sony's worst nightmare.

Re:Win Win scenario

[CronoCloud]

Doesn't WinXP run on boxes with only 256MB. Last I checked at my local Wal-mart they had a WinXP box for sale with only 256. The Windows machine I have had 256MB as the base RAM and Gateway was advertising them as being good general sue computers.

Personally, I've been running Linux on a PS2 for over 4 years. The 32MB is a limitation yes, but not as much as you might think and the PS3 has 8x as much. It'll be enough for general uses.

Now all it needs is Wireless support...

[DarkJC]

As an owner of a PS3 with Linux installed, the only thing that's missing is wireless support. Wired Ethernet works flawlessly, now lets see some wireless drivers!

Re:Now all it needs is Wireless support...

[jonwil]

Screw the wireless, give us hardware accelerated 3D.

Can't take full advantage.

[Kadin2048]

Except that I believe that you can't use many of the advanced features of the GPU because it currently lacks Linux drivers.

Also, at least as of a while ago, Linux didn't take advantage of all the SPUs within Cell; I'd hope that the Sony kernel modules mentioned in this article solve that problem, but I'm not sure.

Who needs video?

[ArcherB]

I see a lot of people here complaining that it is worthless without video drivers. I disagree. Granted, you won't be playing Quake on it, but that does not make it worthless. The first thing I will do when I get one is to have it take over the function of my current Linux box and run my web page off of it. Apache doesn't care what video card you have. This will allow me to dump my space-heater Athlon XP in favor of something a bit more AC friendly. Unfortunately, I won't be able to play a game and run my web page at the same time, but that's why I need to buy 2!!! :-)

Next, this machine will work just fine for checking email, typing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, browsing the web, downloading porn or whatever else you use a PC for. The only downside I see is the lack of storage space. Let's hope it takes external USB drives.

PS3 is not so bad

[RzUpAnmsCwrds]

The PS3 is actually shaping up to be a pretty nice console. Blu-Ray, Linux support, HDMI, nice CPU/GPU, USB/Bluetooth for controllers. It also seems to be pretty quiet, more so than the 360.

If Sony had released the high-end system at $500 (low end at $400), and hadn't made so many stupid blunders (no resolution scaling, lack of an online plan, limited availability), I think that the PS3 would be creaming the 360 right now.

There's nothing wrong with the PS3 that software patches and price cuts can't help. Unfortunately, as soon as Sony actually gets availability (early next year?), you can bet that MS will be ready with a $300 die-shrunk, cooler, and quieter Premium 360.

hopefully

[minus_273]

hopefully the code will be audited to make sure there arent any backdoors, trojans or DRM schemes snuck into the kernel

Burner, keyboard, mouse, printer

[tepples]

But can it burn CDs/DVDs?

The PLAYSTATION 3 game console running Linux might be able to use an optical disc recorder connected to one of its USB 2.0 ports.

Can you install any OS besides linux on it?

Any operating system vendor is welcome to make a boot loader module for PS3 Other OS Installer. But in general, only Free operating systems are going to be worth anybody's time.

Does it have a PS/2 Keybord/mouse port

The keyboard and mouse used with the PlayStation 2 game console (PS2) were a standard USB keyboard and a standard USB mouse. Yes, these devices also work with PS3 consoles.

or a printer port?

Sony left off a dedicated printer port probably because it saw that Nintendo's Game Boy Printer was a flop. But you can still attach any USB or network printer that has a CUPS driver.

Depends on the WM

[SuperKendall]

Yes, a box with only 256MB of general-purpose RAM is IDEAL for web browsing, Open Office, etc.....

Hasn't anyone ever run a slimmed down WM like TWM?

With a smaller screen and simpler uses, you don't need a fancy WM that takes up a great deal of memory - and Mozilla should run just fine in that little memory with most of the OS and WM not hogging memory.

Thanks for digging this up

[Lonewolf666]

I'd like to add that according to other sources, the PS3 runs Linux under a hypervisor that hides the graphics chip from Linux, so that limitation might be permanent (unless someone does serious, and in some jurisdictions illegal, hacking).

What remains is a computer with a very interesting CPU, but rather limited RAM and no 3D hardware acceleration. For most everyday use cases, a generic PC should do better.

Re:Thanks for digging this up

[rtb61]

Think of it more as a console accesory, remote keyboard and mouse with Linux and you are extending the capabilities of your game console to include a reliable working computer - email, internet browsing, office suite etc.(it is a just a matter of waiting for that option pack to be released), the inverse of a typical personal computer, with the addition of dual boot to the toy operating system 'windows', you also get an unreliable game console out of a working computer.