AIX

AIX
Logging into an AIX system
Type:	Multitasking, multiuser UNIX
Creator:	IBM
Architecture:	RT/PC, RS/6000, IBM 386, System/370
This Version:	7.1 for RS/6000, PPC, up to POWER8
Date Released:	1986

Advanced Interactive eXecutive (AIX) is the version of UNIX developed by IBM, initially for the RT PC, and subsequently for RS/6000, PS/2 and System/370.

(See 'Let’s start at the very beginning… 801, ROMP, RT/PC, AIX versions', which describes the initial 3 versions.)

Version 1.x

AIX 1 was jointly developed by IBM Austin, IBM Yorktown and Interactive Systems Corporation, based on System III and SVR1 of Unix SYSV, and released for the RT/PC. It suffered from the expected limitations of a first release. See IBM RT Personal Computer Technology.

Version 2.x

AIX 2 supported the second version of the RT/PC hardware and capabilities planned for the first release. See 'Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX) Operating System Overview'.

Version 3.x

AIX 3 was designed to overcome limitations of prior versions and support the RS/6000. In addition, companion versions ('IBM AIX Family Definition Overview') were released for PS/2 and System/370, including TCF (Transparent Computing Facility) based on LOCUS. See AIX 3 Technology

Version 4.x

Version 4.x introduced CPU support for the PowerPC family of processors, and included minor CHIRP/PReP compatibility, and at least one Apple server that ran AIX.

Version 5L

As it remains now, it's a SYSVr3 based OS with many enhancements from BSD and Linux.

Version 6.x

More Linux- and POSIX compatibility. Some POSIX thread library functions that are only stubs in 5.x are actually working in 6.1 (e.g. some locking functions that appear to be available in 5.1 but aren't locking anything!)

Version 7.x

Adds virtualization support for AIX 5.3 environments. Built-in clustering support. 7.2 adds live kernel updates and some other improvements, including Power9 support.