Installing Node.js on Ubuntu for UltraLinux

This guide explains how to install Node.js on an Ubuntu-based system running on SPARC or UltraSPARC hardware supported by UltraLinux. Node.js is a powerful JavaScript runtime for building server-side and networking applications, ideal for modernizing your SPARC-based systems.

Prerequisites

• Ubuntu-based UltraLinux distribution installed on a SPARC or UltraSPARC system
• Minimum 128MB RAM (256MB recommended for smoother performance)
• Internet connection for downloading packages
• Administrative (sudo) privileges

Installation Steps

Step 1: Update the System

Ensure your system is up to date to avoid compatibility issues.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Add the Node.js Repository

Node.js is not always available in the default Ubuntu repositories for SPARC architectures, so we’ll use the NodeSource repository, which provides pre-built binaries compatible with UltraLinux systems.

Run the following commands to add the NodeSource repository for Node.js 18.x (LTS version at the time of writing, September 2025):

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | sudo -E bash -

If you need a different version (e.g., Node.js 20.x), replace setup_18.x with setup_20.x or the desired version. Check the NodeSource repository for available versions.

Step 3: Install Node.js

Once the repository is added, install Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager):

sudo apt install -y nodejs

This command installs both Node.js and npm, allowing you to manage JavaScript packages.

Step 4: Verify the Installation

Confirm that Node.js and npm are installed correctly by checking their versions:

node --version
npm --version

You should see output similar to:

v18.20.4
9.8.1

If the commands return version numbers, Node.js and npm are successfully installed.

Step 5: Optional – Install Build Tools

For projects requiring native module compilation (e.g., for SPARC-specific optimizations), install build-essential:

sudo apt install -y build-essential

This package includes compilers and tools like gcc and make, useful for building Node.js modules on SPARC systems.

Troubleshooting

• Repository Issues: If the NodeSource script fails, ensure your system’s architecture is supported. UltraLinux on SPARC may require manual verification of the repository’s compatibility with 32-bit or 64-bit SPARC systems.
• Memory Constraints: On low-memory systems (e.g., 64MB RAM), installation may be slow. Consider adding swap space:

  sudo fallocate -l 512M /swapfile
  sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
  sudo mkswap /swapfile
  sudo swapon /swapfile
  

• Network Errors: Ensure a stable internet connection. For diskless SPARC systems, verify TFTP/NFS configurations.

Using Node.js on UltraLinux

With Node.js installed, you can:

• Run JavaScript applications on your SPARC workstation or server.
• Use npm to install packages like Express for web development.
• Leverage UltraLinux’s SMP support for multi-threaded Node.js applications on Enterprise SPARC systems.

Example: Create a simple HTTP server:

const http = require('http');

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.statusCode = 200;
  res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
  res.end('Hello from UltraLinux on SPARC!\n');
});

server.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server running on port 3000');
});

Save this as server.js and run it with:

node server.js

Access it via a browser or curl http://localhost:3000 on your SPARC system.

Why Node.js on UltraLinux?

Node.js brings modern JavaScript development to the robust SPARC architecture, enabling:

• Lightweight web servers for educational or industrial applications
• Cross-platform development with familiar tools
• Efficient use of UltraSPARC’s multi-processor capabilities

Community Support

For help, join the UltraLinux community:

• Mailing Lists: Discuss Node.js on SPARC with other enthusiasts.
• Bug Reports: Report issues specific to SPARC compatibility.
• Contributions: Share your Node.js projects or patches for UltraLinux.