Further development with PPC Cell processors

Caliban

Hello out there, 12 years ago Sony, Toshiba, and IBM started a new PPC based processor generation, the Cell multicore microprocessor. Most known for its use with the Playstation 3. But since then, there is not much activity, as far as I know. Does anybody know if there is this processor is further developed?

Thank You /C

LifeSoftServ

I have 2 ibm qs20 blades and 1 qs22. and about 4 or 5 launch model ps3s running Linux. have searched high and low for more cell be based systems and the only other thing I have found is an accelerator card and a tv from toshiba. Nothing after 2009/10

edge-case

LifeSoftServ
Sorry to being back an old thread, but I'm be thinking about getting either an old PS3* or a QS20 blade to experiment with some PPU programming/experiments...

What versions of Linux do you run on them? It seems that Red Hat Enterprise and Fedora were with supported OSs for IBM's SDK and libraries and Yellow Dog by Sony...
Do you have the blades running in a E Series BladeCenter chassis, or something else? THat's the main thing stopping me buying the QS20 or QS22, as not only are the chassis expensive, they need 220V supply [and my house is wired as 110V...].

[*I had Yellow Dog Linux running on my own [original 60 GB fat] PS3 and my G4 PowerMac back in the 2008 timeframe, but Mac has gone and my PS3 has latest official firmware for PSN & games for the kids...].

LifeSoftServ

edge-case
220v was a challenge at first, but it is not that hard to get something to work. If you have a drier outlet or a central air unit, you can tap off of that. Personally I would just add the 220v 20amp breaker in the box. On the sketchy side, you could find 2 outlets that are attached to breakers on opposite sides of the panel, then cut the heads off 2 extension cords and wire them into the needed outlet but, to be clear this is not a real solution and suggest strongly against it.

Things to note if you get the power figured out:

The QS20 blades are only compatible with the BLADECENTER E (8677) chaise.
While running a QS20 in the BLADECENTER E, you can not have any other model Blade installed in the unit.(Even a QS21 or QS22)
That last note is kind of pointless, as the QS21/QS22 are not supported by the BLADECENTER E.
For the 2 later model Blades you will need a BLADECENTER H/S.
For the QS20 Blades in the BLADECENTER E, you can not use the advanced management module(basic MM only) and the media tray on top is useless while running the QS20('s)
With the QS20, your best bet is to use network booting. (Though this is only supported using BOOTP not DHCP, and loading the OS from a TFTP server)
I believe Fedora Core 12 PPC, is the last supported Linux for the PPC64/CELL architecture.
Yellow Dog Linux has seemingly dropped off the face of the earth. Even getting an outdated ISO seems near impossible.
The BLADECENTER S with a QS22 is the easiest way to get one going, as you can get 120v power supplies for it.

Let me know if you need any help. Will do what I can, the CELL B.E. CPU is a big interest to me since it was released. It is a shame that they decided to drop the architecture.

manjora12

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