Difference between revisions of "SIMH"
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− | + | '''SIMH''' consists of simulators for about 20 different machines, and as such, is a very important emulator for anyone interested in computer history; in particular, that of [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]] systems, as the PDPs and even the [[VAX]] are well emulated by it. | |
− | + | It can even emulate network interfaces for the [[PDP-10]], [[PDP-11]] and VAX, so the emulated systems can network directly onto the [[Internet]], if the emulated operating system supports it, like BSD or [[VMS]]. | |
− | The current version is 3.9-0, released on May 3rd, 2012. More up to date developments may be found on their [ | + | SIMH was primarily written by Bob Supnik of [[Zork]] porting fame, and is now widely contributed to by others as well. |
+ | |||
+ | The current version is 3.9-0, released on May 3rd, 2012. More up to date developments may be found on their GitHub [[source code]] repository. | ||
== Emulated Systems == | == Emulated Systems == | ||
+ | |||
=== Altair 8800 === | === Altair 8800 === | ||
This is the Altair 8800 emulator which can run both AltairDOS and CP/M 2.2 | This is the Altair 8800 emulator which can run both AltairDOS and CP/M 2.2 | ||
Line 15: | Line 18: | ||
=== Honeywell H316/H516 === | === Honeywell H316/H516 === | ||
− | Emulates the work horse behind the ARPANET IMPs. In 2013 the emulator was modified to bring up the original IMP code and connect them together (tunnelled over IP). Demo instructions are available in the latest source. The IMP side of the 1822 is there, but there is not much of a host side yet. I don't see anything in simh that would be able to plug in anyway. An | + | Emulates the work horse behind the [[ARPANET]] IMPs. In 2013 the emulator was modified to bring up the original IMP code and connect them together (tunnelled over IP). Demo instructions are available in the latest source. The IMP side of the 1822 is there, but there is not much of a host side yet. I don't see anything in simh that would be able to plug in anyway. An Associated Computer Consultants (ACC) 1822 card for the pdp-11 would be a start. |
=== HP2100 === | === HP2100 === | ||
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=== Interdata 8/32 === | === Interdata 8/32 === | ||
− | The | + | The Interdata 8/32 micro was the first non [[PDP-11]] to run UNIX. SIMH can run both v6 & v7 research editions for the Interdata. |
=== Nova === | === Nova === | ||
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=== DEC PDP-8 === | === DEC PDP-8 === | ||
− | The [[PDP-8]] was the first | + | The [[PDP-8 family|PDP-8]] was the first [[minicomputer]]... [[OS/8]] runs under SIMH. |
=== DEC PDP-10 === | === DEC PDP-10 === | ||
− | The [[PDP-10]] model | + | The [[PDP-10]] model [[KS10]] processor is emulated and will run all but the latest versions of the [[TOPS-10]] and [[TOPS-20]] operating systems. |
=== DEC PDP-11 === | === DEC PDP-11 === | ||
− | The | + | The PDP-11 is emulated enough to run most PDP-11 operating systems including the early Unixes (v1,4,5,6,7 are known to run). |
=== MicroVAX II === | === MicroVAX II === | ||
Line 65: | Line 68: | ||
While not immediately obvious, there is a mailing list here [http://mailman.trailing-edge.com/pipermail/simh/ http://mailman.trailing-edge.com/pipermail/simh/]. I would recommend searching the thing, and you'll be amazed how much good information there is in there. Likewise, I'd recommend joining the list if you are interested in running SIMH. You can join [http://mailman.trailing-edge.com/mailman/listinfo/simh here]. As 4.0 is still in beta, the [https://github.com/simh/simh public source repository] is also a great source of information. | While not immediately obvious, there is a mailing list here [http://mailman.trailing-edge.com/pipermail/simh/ http://mailman.trailing-edge.com/pipermail/simh/]. I would recommend searching the thing, and you'll be amazed how much good information there is in there. Likewise, I'd recommend joining the list if you are interested in running SIMH. You can join [http://mailman.trailing-edge.com/mailman/listinfo/simh here]. As 4.0 is still in beta, the [https://github.com/simh/simh public source repository] is also a great source of information. | ||
+ | ==External links== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [http://simh.trailing-edge.com/ Home page] | ||
+ | * [http://sourceforge.net/projects/simh/ SIMH on SourceForge] | ||
+ | * [https://github.com/simh/simh SIMH on GitHub] | ||
− | [[Category:Emulators]] | + | [[Category: Emulators]] |
Revision as of 23:10, 22 November 2019
SIMH consists of simulators for about 20 different machines, and as such, is a very important emulator for anyone interested in computer history; in particular, that of DEC systems, as the PDPs and even the VAX are well emulated by it.
It can even emulate network interfaces for the PDP-10, PDP-11 and VAX, so the emulated systems can network directly onto the Internet, if the emulated operating system supports it, like BSD or VMS.
SIMH was primarily written by Bob Supnik of Zork porting fame, and is now widely contributed to by others as well.
The current version is 3.9-0, released on May 3rd, 2012. More up to date developments may be found on their GitHub source code repository.
Contents
Emulated Systems
Altair 8800
This is the Altair 8800 emulator which can run both AltairDOS and CP/M 2.2
Altair Z80
SIMH emulates the Altair architecture with your choice of either a Z80 or Intel 8080 processor. It can run CP/M.
Honeywell H316/H516
Emulates the work horse behind the ARPANET IMPs. In 2013 the emulator was modified to bring up the original IMP code and connect them together (tunnelled over IP). Demo instructions are available in the latest source. The IMP side of the 1822 is there, but there is not much of a host side yet. I don't see anything in simh that would be able to plug in anyway. An Associated Computer Consultants (ACC) 1822 card for the pdp-11 would be a start.
HP2100
I really don't know much about this machine, but I included a way to run the basic1 program I found online. It kind of reminds me of the ROMBASIC back 'in the day'... It's basic with line numbers so I know it's kind of old.. I really don't know much otherwise about this machine.
Interdata 8/32
The Interdata 8/32 micro was the first non PDP-11 to run UNIX. SIMH can run both v6 & v7 research editions for the Interdata.
Nova
SIMH can run RDOS 7.5 for the Nova.
SIMH also includes Data General Eclipse support, but there is no available OS.
DEC PDP-1
The original PDP-1 is emulated although most of the software is expected to be toggled from the console, or loaded from paper tape. SIMH does not emulate the display needed for spacewar.
DEC PDP-8
The PDP-8 was the first minicomputer... OS/8 runs under SIMH.
DEC PDP-10
The PDP-10 model KS10 processor is emulated and will run all but the latest versions of the TOPS-10 and TOPS-20 operating systems.
DEC PDP-11
The PDP-11 is emulated enough to run most PDP-11 operating systems including the early Unixes (v1,4,5,6,7 are known to run).
MicroVAX II
SIMH can run the MicroVAX II with as much as 256mb of emulated ram. Both VMS, NetBSD, OpenBSD and original BSD can run on this emulator. Additionally, the network adapter functions correctly under this emulator, unlike the VAX-11/780.
VAX 11/780
SIMH can also emulate the first model of the VAX, the VAX-11/780. This is appropriate for older operating systems like VMS release 1.x and the original 32v, 3BSD and all 4BSD releases.
Usage
SIMH can either take in configuration parameters interactively, or you can store them in a file. If the file is the name of the emulator+.ini it will load them automatically (eg vax.exe loads vax.ini automatically). The CONTROL+E key will break the emulation and bring you back to the SIMH console where you can alter the running state.
Networking is covered in the Networking with SIMH guide.
Support
While not immediately obvious, there is a mailing list here http://mailman.trailing-edge.com/pipermail/simh/. I would recommend searching the thing, and you'll be amazed how much good information there is in there. Likewise, I'd recommend joining the list if you are interested in running SIMH. You can join here. As 4.0 is still in beta, the public source repository is also a great source of information.