[Info-vax] What Linux architectures are not susceptible to meltdown or spectre?

[Kerry Main]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kerry Main [mailto:kemain.nospam at gmail.com]
> Sent: February 2, 2018 9:25 PM
> To: 'comp.os.vms to email gateway' <info-vax at rbnsn.com>
> Subject: RE: [Info-vax] What Linux architectures are not susceptible
to
> meltdown or spectre?
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Info-vax [mailto:info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com] On Behalf Of
> > Nomen Nescio via Info-vax
> > Sent: January 29, 2018 3:21 PM
> > To: info-vax at rbnsn.com
> > Cc: Nomen Nescio <nobody at dizum.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Info-vax] What Linux architectures are not susceptible
> to
> > meltdown or spectre?
> >
> > In article <e66713528ffe8ca0a8b2e79e2133037d at dizum.com>
> > Nomen Nescio <nobody at dizum.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > > Subject: Re: What Linux architectures are not susceptible to
> > > > > meltdown or spectre
> > >
> > > >   The problem is chip based, not OS based.
> > >
> > > Right.  But there are other chips on which Linux runs, such as
> various
> > > RISC chips.  What currently available computers use one of these
> other
> > > chips?
> > >
> > > >  So all OSs are susceptible.
> > >
> > > Not those running on chips other than Intel, AMD, or ARM.
> >
> > I don't have any issues with my Alphas.
> >
> > But then Alpha processors were designed by smarter engineers
> > than Intel's H1B clowns.
> >
> >
> 
> You are forgetting where Intel's branch prediction logic came from.
> 
> Remember the DEC vs. Intel lawsuit?
> 
> Also, keep in mind who many of the Alpha design engineers ended up
> working for (Intel and AMD).
> 

Additional reading: May 13, 1997
< https://www.cnet.com/news/digital-cyrix-sue-intel-over-patents/>
" "I don't mind competing against Intel, but I'd rather not compete
against our own technology," Digital CEO Robert Palmer said. "The time
has come for these unlawful practices to stop."

The patents included in the lawsuit relate to Digital's cache
management, branch prediction, and instruction-processing technology
within the Alpha processor. Patents covering these areas were issued to
Digital between 1988 and 1996.

The lawsuit would stop Intel from using Digital's technology in current
and future chip introductions, according to a company statement, and
seeks an injunction and monetary damage for the patent infringement.

And as a follow-up - 6 months later: October, 1997
< https://www.cnet.com/news/intel-digital-settle-suit/>
" The broad-based agreement includes the sale of Digital's semiconductor
manufacturing operations to Intel for about $700 million; the
cross-licensing of patents; supply of Intel and Alpha microprocessors;
and development of future systems based on Intel's 64-bit
microprocessors."


Regards,

Kerry Main
Kerry dot main at starkgaming dot com