What *is* Amiga Unix
27 messages in this thread
I have a couple questions about Amiga unix that I hope someone can answer
for me. Is the Amiga Unix package AT+T, or is it more BSD? How "unix" is
it…for example do "off the shelf" unix software packages work ok? Is
there an X-Windows implementation? Can I run simultaneous with
WorkBench/AmigaDOS?
I guess that's about it <grin>! Oh, yeah…one more….how much is it and
where can I get it?
Thanks!!
John
It is plain-vanilla AT&T System V. It is quite "unix," but you should know
there's no such thing as a plain-vanilla unix software package…it has to
be machine-specific. There is X-windows, and Unix will run concurrently
with the native OS.
It is supposedly around $1000; I have heard various rumors from "you can't
buy it anywhere" to "CBM will sell it to you."
Amiga UNIX does NOT run concurrently with AmigaDos. Both can be on the hard
drive in separate partitions with a choice of OS on startup but you run one
OR the other. It can be purchased separate from the machine. I fooled with
it for a week or so last Fall. The newer release is much improved and
apparently more work is being done to keep it current. It is a very
complete package for good price but not for everyone.
….Mark Sterling 74335,1677
Is there a program that allows for AmigaDOS users to access the UNIX
partion? Also is there another program to go the other way to allow the
UNIX section to read the Amiga partition?
yes, there are several ways to transfer files back and forth between the
UNIX side and Amiga side.
Steve
Any example on how to perform the transfer between both sides? Or filx
programs?
I don't have an specific examples here since I don't have a UX box. Check
the manuals and documentation.
Steve
I saw a message on internet that said there are a couple of PD program that
allow access of the Amiga partition for UNIX and vice versa. I guess I
will have to leave an internet message and find out more.
I don't think there is a way to read the other partition. I use
Interactive UNIX at work and it will read a DOS partition or diskettes via
a utility. I don't think there is a counterpart for Dossette in Amiga UNIX.
Sounds like a good idea though.
….Mark Sterling 74335,1677
Well,, it won't run concurently with Amigados.
Additionally, it is sysVr4, making it quite nice for portable applications.
Previous Unixes (Unices?) were source code compatible between machines, but
rev 4 also has something called Application Binary Interface, making it
possible to write software that will run on any rev 4 OS which is running
on a machine that uses the same CPU chip.
-larry
Has someone actually tried the ABI and see if works across the '030 cpu
platforms? I'm seems like it is better in the Intel World.
Yes, when the UX box first came out, someone took a KSH from a Moto box
and popped it into the Amiga UX box. Worked great.
Steve
Hmmmm….$1000.00 is just a wee bit too high for me <g>! I've
heard rumor about some people working on Amiga-Mach on Internet.
I think I'll wait for that to come out!!!!
Yeah, I no that every Unix is just a bit different (sometimes
WORLDS different), but it should be enough for what I'd be using
it for.
Thanks for the info!
John,
Amiga UNIX is AT&T (actually…Unix International now) System V
Release 4. It is "pure" UNIX according to the SVR4 spec. No, you can't run
AmigaDOS at the same time.
Don
Um…It's not Unix International, it's Unix System Laboratories. UI makes
recommendations to what USL does (and pretty strong recommendations at
that), and UI gets some of their recommendations from their member
organizations.
Steve
Steve,
UI is the steering and marketing organ, USL is the development
labs. Or so it was explained to me.
Don
USL is doing it's own marketing and development these days. UI may have
had a stronger role in the past, but not anymore.
Steve
Don,
Thanks for the info! I don't really *need* to be able to run with AmigaDos
concurrently, but I thought that it'd be nice if I could. I think the
Amiga-Mach folks were working on a way to run an AmigaDos session under
Mach. Again, I don't know what I'd do with that capability…but I can see
where it might be nice to be able to pull up an Amiga application without
needing to reboot the machine.
Thanks again!
John
It's AT&T Unix System V release 4 (SVR4). SVR4 does have some BSD
features. (What were you looking for in particular)? Which "off the
shelf packages" were you looking for? It does include an X-Window
implementation along with OpenLook. You can not run Workbench/AmigaDos at
the same time.
Steve
I'm looking for Ingres, Oracle and Motif. Any info?
I believe it requires a 68030, or a 68020 with an MMU, something
like that. So it will only run on Amiga 3000s, or Amiga 2500s.
The Unix software, which you can buy from an Amiga dealer,
runs about $950 for a 2-user license, or something like $1200
for unlimited user license.
To install it requires a Commodore A3070 tape drive though,
(I believe that's the number, its a QIC-150 SCSI tape drive).
That is to say, it doesn't install from floppy disks.
Or you can buy a A3000UX machine from Commodore with Unix
pre-installed. They had a deal going on where you could
get the machine with a tape drive, ethernet card, 10meg
of memory for about $5000. I don't know if that is
still going on.
Ok, so Amiga Unix can't run concurrently with AmiDos. And it's version
XXX, and is $xxx. So, what's the point? What is Amiga Unix *for*?
I use unix a little in a SUN station at my college, mostly for Internet
access. But I'm fairly unimpressed.
So, what would be the benefit of an Amiga running Unix? would it make
the amiga more powerful? more compatible with other software?
Computer gurus, please enlighten.
<-SJK->
The point of running Unix on a Dos box is to get an operating system. The
point of running it on an Amiga is to gain compatibility with some other
system, as for most users AmigaDOS provides all of the functionality they
need. Alternatively, some people really just love unix and would port it
to their old C-64 if they could fit it in memory.
And with some propeller-heads it's kind of a religious experience. (Hacker
Heaven)
In a multiuser/multitasking environment, Unix protects itself and other
tasks from each other. That is, it is almost impossible for an errant
task to take down the machine.
-bill
Steven,
Well…the reason I'd like to get Unix running on my Amiga is because I'm
going to be starting development at work in a Unix environment in a few
months and I want to have my system at home set up to do the development as
well. So, during those times when I decide to work from home I can be
compatible with my work environment.
Needless to say, I'm not going to spend that much money on a new operating
system PLUS a tape drive PLUS the CPU upgrade to get the MMU in my A2000!
If I wanted to spend that much money, I might as well go out and buy a
33mhz '386 machine with SVGA, Windows, etc… and get a
copy of the Unix we're using here at work (since we have a site liscense)!!
Although I'd hate to get a new machine, it'd cost MUCH less than getting my
A2000 up and running Unix!!
John
There may be a file in the libraries that lists all the UNIX software
available for the Amiga UX product, but I'm not sure. I'm fairly certain
that Ingres and Oracle are both available, but I don't know about Motif.
Steve