kellow@ndcheg.cheg.nd.edu (John Kellow) (01/17/90)
Recently, I was told that the unix-pc was somehow related to a Convergent Technologies Miniframe and that the two are binary compatible. I believe Miniframes were also sold by Burroughs, Gould, and Unisys. Could anyone provide me with more information on this? Just what exactly is a unix-pc anyway (I thought it was like an IBM-PC running Unix)? John Kellow kellow@ndcheg.cheg.nd.edu
jcm@mtune.ATT.COM (John Mcmillan) (01/17/90)
In article <1041@ndcheg.cheg.nd.edu> kellow@ndcheg.cheg.nd.edu (John Kellow) writes: > >Recently, I was told that the unix-pc was somehow related to a Convergent >Technologies Miniframe and that the two are binary compatible. I believe >Miniframes were also sold by Burroughs, Gould, and Unisys. Could anyone >provide me with more information on this? Just what exactly is a unix-pc >anyway (I thought it was like an IBM-PC running Unix)? CT did the manufacturing of the 7300 aka 3B1 aka UNIX-pc: The design shared technology from their Mini-Frame. Their UNIX port was the basis of the UNIX-pc kernel. This kernel was a hybrid of Berkeley features and SVR3. Legal constraints on both parties required seperation of staffs from this point on: the Mini-Frame code was a point of departure. Much of the underlying kernel code of the Mini-Frame remained. Much was changed to further SVID [Sys V Interface Definition] compliance. Much was added or corrected -- on both ends: we did NOT benefit from any bug-discoveries or extensions on the Mini-Frame end. ['Cannot speak to reverse.] Miniframe code would share subroutine calling conventions. Almost all system calls would be compatible -- perhaps ALL. (I cannot speak to any Mini-Frame use of Share Libraries.) For practical purposes, the UNIX-pc and the Mini-Frame are bin' compatible. I would be surprised to find that Unisys sold any Mini-Frames: I thought it was formed after the Mini-Frame was buried. I should have fonder recollections of Mini-Frames: they shared so much code and supported TWO disks. All I can remember is their crashing. Selective recall? You thought wrong: the MC68010 chip isn't very similar to the i*86 series. Aesthetically, this is a big PLUS for the UNIX-pc. Lucratively, this is a big MINUS for the UNIX-pc. Nuff said. john mcmillan -- att!mtune!jcm