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Venix

February 13, 2023

Venix is a discontinued version of the Unix operating system for low-end computers, developed by VenturCom, a "company that specialises in the skinniest implementations of Unix".[1]

Venix
Venix/86 running on a Compaq Portable III/286 Computer
DeveloperVenturCom
OS familyVersion 7 Unix/System V
Working stateHistoric
Initial release1983; 40 years ago (1983)
Latest release4.2.1 / 1994; 29 years ago (1994)
Available inEnglish
PlatformsDEC PRO-350 and PRO-380
(PDP-11 compatible),
DEC PDP-11,
DEC Rainbow 100,
IBM PC
Default
user interface		Command-line interface (early version), X Window System, Motif, OpenLook

Overview

A working version of Venix/86 for the IBM PC XT was demoed at Comdex in May 1983. It was based on Version 7 Unix with some enhancements from BSD (notably vi, more and csh) and custom inter-process communication mechanisms.[2] It was the first licensed UNIX operating system available for the IBM PC and its compatibles, supported read/write access to a separate DOS/FAT-partition and could run in as little as 128 KB (256 KB - 512 KB recommended).[3]

In September 1984, Venix/86 Encore was released; it supported a number of early PC-compatibles, including the AT&T 6300, the Zenith 150, the (first) NCR PC, and the Texas Instruments Professional Computer.[4]

Venix Encore, which then became Venix 2.0, was still based on Version 7 Unix, and ran on the DEC Rainbow 100 (Venix/86R) as well as PCs (Venix/86 and /286).[5] The system contained a number of enhancements, notably tools to access DOS files directly on a DOS/FAT-partition, and an updated ADB debugger. The system came in two flavors: a 2-user version priced at $800, and an 8-user version at $1,000. There were no technical differences between the two.[3]

Confusingly, Venix 2.0 for the DEC PRO-380 microcomputer (Venix/PRO) was based "essentially" on System III. It no longer ran on the PRO-350.[6] This is made clear in the ckermit 4E build instructions, which has a special target for Pro running Venix 1.0, but instructs the user to use the sysiii target for the Pro running Venix 2.0. These same sources also make it clear that Venix had an enhanced TTY interface relative to a pure V7 Unix System.[7]

Venix 2.1 was released for at least the PC.[8] Like the original Venix/86, it included a C compiler, a BASIC interpreter and added a Fortran 77 compiler as an option. An optional driver kit made it possible to develop hardware drivers for the system and generate new kernels. In November 1985, Unisource Software Corp., a Venix retailer, announced the availability of RM/Cobol for Venix. [9]

From version 3.0, Venix was based on System V. A real-time version based on System V.3.2 was released for the 386 in 1990.[1]

The last version, Venix 4.2.1, based on UNIX System V Release 4.2 (UnixWare), was released in 1994.[citation needed] The workstation system included the real-time operating system, NFS and TCP/IP networking, X, OpenLook and Motif GUIs, and the Veritas journaling File System (vxfs). A development system included additionally an ANSI C compiler, a library of real-time functions, GUI development software, real-time development utilities, and selected industrial I/O device drivers.

Reception

In its 1984 review PC Magazine found Venix functional, despite some bugs in the initial versions. Its use of the BIOS for accessing devices made it more portable than its competitor PC/IX, but slowed down its display processing; the disk access speed was found to be similar.[2] BYTE stated that Venix on the DEC Professional and IBM PC "performed adequately," but criticized its limit on background processes.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b VenturCom ships real-time Venix/386. Computer Business Review, 1 February 1990. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b Mark S. Zachmann (1984-06-12). "A Venerable UNIX". PC Magazine. 3 (11): 246–248. ISSN 0888-8507. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  3. ^ a b Roberts, S.D. (1985). Unix, Xenix & Venix. Germany: ELCOMP Publishing Inc. p. 193. ISBN 3-88963-064-2.
  4. ^ "Enhanced Venix/86 out". Computerworld: 76. 1984-09-17. ISSN 0010-4841.
  5. ^ "Enhanced VENIX/Rainbow". 1986-12-16.
  6. ^ "README".
  7. ^ "Kermit Archive".
  8. ^ "VenturComm Venix/86 on MESS/MAME".
  9. ^ "New Products". 1985-11-18.
  10. ^ Hinnant, David F. (August 1984). "Benchmarking UNIX Systems". BYTE. pp. 132–135, 400–409. Retrieved 2016-02-23.

Further reading

External links

  • Professional 325, 350, 380
  • DEC PRO-350 emulator with VENIX disk images
  • Installing Venix 2.1 in MAME/MESS
  • Venix/386 in the Internet Archive
 

This Unix-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

February 13, 2023
venix, discontinued, version, unix, operating, system, computers, developed, venturcom, company, that, specialises, skinniest, implementations, unix, running, compaq, portable, computerdeveloperventurcomos, familyversion, unix, system, vworking, statehistorici. Venix is a discontinued version of the Unix operating system for low end computers developed by VenturCom a company that specialises in the skinniest implementations of Unix 1 VenixVenix 86 running on a Compaq Portable III 286 ComputerDeveloperVenturComOS familyVersion 7 Unix System VWorking stateHistoricInitial release1983 40 years ago 1983 Latest release4 2 1 1994 29 years ago 1994 Available inEnglishPlatformsDEC PRO 350 and PRO 380 PDP 11 compatible DEC PDP 11 DEC Rainbow 100 IBM PCDefaultuser interfaceCommand line interface early version X Window System Motif OpenLookOverview EditA working version of Venix 86 for the IBM PC XT was demoed at Comdex in May 1983 It was based on Version 7 Unix with some enhancements from BSD notably vi more and csh and custom inter process communication mechanisms 2 It was the first licensed UNIX operating system available for the IBM PC and its compatibles supported read write access to a separate DOS FAT partition and could run in as little as 128 KB 256 KB 512 KB recommended 3 In September 1984 Venix 86 Encore was released it supported a number of early PC compatibles including the AT amp T 6300 the Zenith 150 the first NCR PC and the Texas Instruments Professional Computer 4 Venix Encore which then became Venix 2 0 was still based on Version 7 Unix and ran on the DEC Rainbow 100 Venix 86R as well as PCs Venix 86 and 286 5 The system contained a number of enhancements notably tools to access DOS files directly on a DOS FAT partition and an updated ADB debugger The system came in two flavors a 2 user version priced at 800 and an 8 user version at 1 000 There were no technical differences between the two 3 Confusingly Venix 2 0 for the DEC PRO 380 microcomputer Venix PRO was based essentially on System III It no longer ran on the PRO 350 6 This is made clear in the ckermit 4E build instructions which has a special target for Pro running Venix 1 0 but instructs the user to use the sysiii target for the Pro running Venix 2 0 These same sources also make it clear that Venix had an enhanced TTY interface relative to a pure V7 Unix System 7 Venix 2 1 was released for at least the PC 8 Like the original Venix 86 it included a C compiler a BASIC interpreter and added a Fortran 77 compiler as an option An optional driver kit made it possible to develop hardware drivers for the system and generate new kernels In November 1985 Unisource Software Corp a Venix retailer announced the availability of RM Cobol for Venix 9 From version 3 0 Venix was based on System V A real time version based on System V 3 2 was released for the 386 in 1990 1 The last version Venix 4 2 1 based on UNIX System V Release 4 2 UnixWare was released in 1994 citation needed The workstation system included the real time operating system NFS and TCP IP networking X OpenLook and Motif GUIs and the Veritas journaling File System vxfs A development system included additionally an ANSI C compiler a library of real time functions GUI development software real time development utilities and selected industrial I O device drivers Reception EditIn its 1984 review PC Magazine found Venix functional despite some bugs in the initial versions Its use of the BIOS for accessing devices made it more portable than its competitor PC IX but slowed down its display processing the disk access speed was found to be similar 2 BYTE stated that Venix on the DEC Professional and IBM PC performed adequately but criticized its limit on background processes 10 See also EditCoherent operating system Idris operating system XenixReferences Edit a b VenturCom ships real time Venix 386 Computer Business Review 1 February 1990 Retrieved 23 March 2013 a b Mark S Zachmann 1984 06 12 A Venerable UNIX PC Magazine 3 11 246 248 ISSN 0888 8507 Retrieved 2022 01 29 a b Roberts S D 1985 Unix Xenix amp Venix Germany ELCOMP Publishing Inc p 193 ISBN 3 88963 064 2 Enhanced Venix 86 out Computerworld 76 1984 09 17 ISSN 0010 4841 Enhanced VENIX Rainbow 1986 12 16 README Kermit Archive VenturComm Venix 86 on MESS MAME New Products 1985 11 18 Hinnant David F August 1984 Benchmarking UNIX Systems BYTE pp 132 135 400 409 Retrieved 2016 02 23 Further reading EditWilliam B Twitty 1984 UNIX on the IBM PC Prentice Hall ISBN 978 0 13 939075 3 Covers and compares PC IX Xenix and Venix Christine McGeever 1985 01 14 First Unix for the PC AT InfoWorld 23 ISSN 0199 6649 External links EditProfessional 325 350 380 DEC PRO 350 emulator with VENIX disk images Installing Venix 2 1 in MAME MESS Venix 386 in the Internet Archive This Unix related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Venix amp oldid 1130072968, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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