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I really want an excuse to run NetBSD on something. I wonder if ESP32's are capable of running NetBSD? Even just running on a RPi would be fun. Also, for embed

I really want an excuse to run NetBSD on something. I wonder if ESP32's are capable of running NetBSD? Even just running on a RPi would be fun. Also, for embedded devices the coherent whole system design of *BSDs with the package builder seems like it'd be much nicer than BuildRoot or Yocto. I've come to very much dislike trying to keep Linux images for embedded stuff running over years. Perhaps it's because Linux claims not pride itself on "not breaking userspace" but seems to add a new GPIO sub-system every 5 years. Ain't nobody got time for that.

sunshine-o 1y ago
> I wonder if ESP32's are capable of running NetBSD? Interesting question but can't find much about it [0] I guess for the most recent ESP32 it will be under RISC-V. People have been able to boot Linux on them for a while so why not... - [0] https://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/ https://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/
- elcritch 1y ago
  It’d probably depend on whether NetBSD requires having an MMU or MPU. RISC-V support might be an option.
  - jmclnx 1y ago
    Looks like a MMU is needed: https://wiki.netbsd.org/projects/project/mmu-less/ https://wiki.netbsd.org/projects/project/mmu-less/
AlexeyBrin 1y ago
Check EndBOX - NetBSD running on RPi and booting into a version of BASIC. You can probably strip the BASIC part or get inspiration of how to run NetBSD on a Pi. You can find more information at https://www.endbasic.dev/2025/07/endbox-diy-kit.html https://www.endbasic.dev/2025/07/endbox-diy-kit.html
- elcritch 1y ago
  That’s awesome!