Unix/32V

32v
Logging into a 32v system
Type:	Multitasking, multiuser
Creator:	Bell Labs / AT&T / Western Electric
Architecture:	VAX, theoretically portable
This Version:	1.0 (1979)
Date Released:	1979

32v is the first 32bit version of Unix created by Bell Labs. 32v is basically a 32bit version of Seventh Edition Unix ported to the VAX. While not the first 32bit version of unix (Interdata's was), it was the most influencial. 32v could only run on the VAX-11/780 as it was the only VAX in existance at that time.

It's also worth noting that CSRG used 32v as the basis for their work on 32 bit BSD unix, starting with BSD 3.0 which was a 32v kernel with demand paged virtual memory, the BSD 2.x utilities rolled into one. Neither 32v nor BSD 3.0 include TCP/IP. Additionally AT&T used 32v as the basis for SYSIII work on both the PDP-11 & VAX. This makes 32v the 'common ancestor' of both SYSV & 4BSD.

The AT&T vs BSDi/CSRG Lawsuit

Because 32v is the basis for BSD 3.0 it was also the source of contention of the lawsuit. The whole issue has been made moot since Caldera bought the rights to UNIX, and released 32v as free software.

How do I get this to run?!

Right now, make sure you have the VAX-11/780 emulator from SIMH 3.8-0 or higher, then go to http://zazie.tom-yam.or.jp/starunix/ for more information.

An easier solution is available here. This is a pre-configured ready to run windows package with 32v.

What Runs?

Not very much.... 32v does not provide any modern networking, and the C compiler is far from ANSI.