[RFC PATCH 0/4] Remove some e300/MPC83xx evaluation platforms

[Christophe Leroy]

Le 20/02/2023 à 12:59, Paul Gortmaker a écrit :
> [This RFC is proposed for v6.4 and hence is based off linux-next.]
> 
> This series removes support for four e300 (MPC83xx) Freescale processor
> family evaluation boards that were added to the kernel in the 2006 era.
> 
> These boards were all of a very similar form factor, a largish PCI or PCI-X
> card that could also be used standalone with an external power brick, and
> all shared the Modular Development System (MDS) designation.
> 
> These platforms were made in limited quantity and were generally designed
> to get early silicon into the hands of OEMs who would later develop their
> own boards/platforms.  As such, availability was limited to those who would
> be working on boards and/or BSP support.
> 
> Many early revision MDS platforms used a mechanical clamping system to hold
> the BGA CPU in place to facilitate CPU updates -- something not normally
> possible for a soldered down BGA in a COTS system.
> 
> The point of these details is to give context that reflects that these four
> boards were made in limited quantities, were not in a form factor that is
> really "hobbyist" friendly and hence make sense for removal 17 years later.
> 
> Here, we remove the MPC8548E-MDS[1], the MPC8360E-MDS[2], the
> MPC837xE-MDS[3], and the MPC832x-MDS[4] board support from the kernel.
> 
> There will still exist several e300 Freescale Reference Design System (RDS)
> boards[5] and mini-ITX boards[6] with support in the kernel.  While these
> were more of a COTS "ready to deploy" design more suited to hobbyists, it
> probably makes sense to consider removing these as well, based on age.

Those boards are still being sold, see 
https://www.components-store.fr/product/NXP-Semiconductors-Freescale/MPC8323E-RDB.html 
they have 4600 pieces in stock.

Christophe