Sun OpenSPARC Processors

[MetalheadGautham]

I have heard for long about sun microsystems' SPARC processor architecture. I also know that it has a distinction for having its prosessor architecture OPEN SOURCED. So I have this question: Is it possible to actually BUY an OpenSPARC based processor here ? As the architecture and its source code, along with the specifications are GPLed, won't that mean that there may be companies producing OpenSPARC processors ? Is it possible to Buy one ? I heard that Sun has recently GPLed UltraSPARC T1(or is it T2? ) to add it to OpenSPARC. So can I buy one of those processors ?

I am asking about them because being OSS, it means that R&D for the manufacturing company will cost Rs. 0. So just like fake iPods, they must be dirt cheap in the market.

 

[Pathik]

They arent very popular cos AFAIK they r meant for server usage and they run only Solaris. Also perhaps they r very costly to produce.

 

[MetalheadGautham]

They arent very popular cos AFAIK they r meant for server usage and they run only Solaris. Also perhaps they r very costly to produce.

they don't run only solaris. There are several, and I mean SEVERAL distros supporting them. Gentoo is the biggest example(as its offitially recomended). And solaris is veeery good if you look at its reviews.

Who says server processors can't run desktops and game ?

They can't be costly to manufacture, concidering they were once popular in the market.

 

[MetalheadGautham]

bump