Difference between revisions of "XENIX"

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With the rise of the [[IBM PC]], it primarily became an [[Intel x86|x86]] based OS. Xenix eventually became [[SCO Unix]], then later SCO [[OpenServer]], where it still languishes today.
 
With the rise of the [[IBM PC]], it primarily became an [[Intel x86|x86]] based OS. Xenix eventually became [[SCO Unix]], then later SCO [[OpenServer]], where it still languishes today.
  
= Platforms =
+
== Platforms ==
  
 
=== Intel ===
 
=== Intel ===
  
As mentioned in the [http://www.tenox.tc/docs/microsoft_xenix_oem_directory.pdf OEM guide], Xenix supported the following platforms:
+
<!-- As mentioned in the [http://www.tenox.tc/docs/microsoft_xenix_oem_directory.pdf OEM guide], URL dead -->Xenix supported the following platforms:
  
 
*[[IBM 386]] [386] The 32bit ones will run on Qemu/Virtual PC
 
*[[IBM 386]] [386] The 32bit ones will run on Qemu/Virtual PC
 
*IBM [[PS/2]] [386MC] This version was specifically for [[MCA]] computers with a 386 or higher CPU.
 
*IBM [[PS/2]] [386MC] This version was specifically for [[MCA]] computers with a 386 or higher CPU.
*SCO Announced Xenix for the Model 50,60 and 80, but its unknown if there are archives of it. [[https://www.cbronline.com/news/santa_cruz_ships_xenix_v_for_ps2_developed_in_london/]]
+
*SCO Announced Xenix for the Model 50, 60 and 80, but its unknown if there are archives of it.  
*[[IBM AT|IBM 286]] [286] As is this version..*
+
*[[IBM AT|IBM 286]] [286] - As is this version..
*IBM PC [8088 or x86] This is 'easy' to find.
+
*IBM PC [8088 or x86] - This is 'easy' to find.
  
 
This is a list of version numbers for the various Architectures:
 
This is a list of version numbers for the various Architectures:
  
 +
*SysV 386 – 3.2 4.2
 +
*386 – 2.2.3, 2.3.4a, 2.3.4q ( SCO v2.2.3b, v2.3.2f, v2.3.4h)
 +
*286 – 2.1.3, 2.2.1, 2.3.2 ( SC0 v2.1.3, v2.2.1e, v2.2.3b, v2.3.2d)
 
*8086 – 2.1.3 (SCO v2.1.3)
 
*8086 – 2.1.3 (SCO v2.1.3)
*286 – 2.1.3, 2.2.1, 2.3.2 ( SC0 v2.1.3, v2.2.1e, v2.2.3b, v2.3.2d)
 
*386 – 2.2.3, 2.3.4a, 2.3.4q ( SCO v2.2.3b, v2.3.2f, v2.3.4h)
 
*SysV 386 – 3.2 4.2
 
  
 
=== Motorola ===
 
=== Motorola ===
  
* A BYTE Magazine article reviews a MC68000 expansion card that runs Xenix from a company called Sritek
+
*IBM System 9000 [[M68000]] [c 1984]
** https://ia801001.us.archive.org/34/items/BYTE_Vol_09-07_1984-07_Computers_and_Video/BYTE_Vol_09-07_1984-07_Computers_and_Video.pdf
+
*[[Apple Lisa]] [[M68000]] [c 1984] The emulator [[idle]] can run this.
*IBM System 9000 [M68000] [c19894]
 
**https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?htmlfid=897/ENUS284-159&infotype=AN&subtype=CA&appname=skmwww
 
*[[Apple Lisa]] [M68000] [c1984] The emulator [[idle]] can run this.
 
  
 
=== Others ===
 
=== Others ===
  
*[[PDP-11]] No versions of this exist online.
+
*[[PDP-11]] - No versions of this exist online.
*[[Tandy TRS-80 Model II]] [Z80A] There are disk images floating around.
+
*[[Tandy TRS-80 Model II]] [[Z80A]] - There are disk images floating around.
*[[Zilog Z8001]] [c1979] I have only found sales literature that mentions this.*
+
*[[Zilog Z8001]] [c 1979] - I have only found sales literature that mentions this.*
 
 
*Note: This sounds like vaporware since neither the Onyx 1 nor the Commodore 900 ran Xenix
 
  
More here: [http://www.softpanorama.org/People/Torvalds/Finland_period/xenix_microsoft_shortlived_love_affair_with_unix.shtml XENIX -- Microsoft Short-lived Love Affair with Unix]
+
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Note: This sounds like vaporware since neither the Onyx 1 nor the Commodore 900 ran Xenix
  
 
== Software ==
 
== Software ==
Line 62: Line 57:
  
 
*[[C programming language|C]]
 
*[[C programming language|C]]
*[[Basic]] [[Basic Compiler]] [[Basic Interpreter]]
+
*[[Basic]] - Basic [[Compiler]], Basic [[Interpreter]]
 
*[[Cobol]]
 
*[[Cobol]]
 
*[[FORTRAN|Fortran]]
 
*[[FORTRAN|Fortran]]
Line 68: Line 63:
 
*[[Assembler]]
 
*[[Assembler]]
  
"the base operating system does not include development tools such as a C compiler, but it does include the linker and, importantly, an assembler (which is needed to rebuild the configuration files). The assembler is, however, disguised to make it less obvious what it is by giving it a different name and that is what I have been trying to remember ever since I saw this post. Finally, this morning, it came to me. You *should* find that you have something called "storel" (read it as "s-to-rel" as in "something that transforms ".s" files into relocatable (ie ".o") files and the name becomes a little less obscure) on the system - I *think* that it lives in /bin. but it *might* be somewhere else such as /etc." http://www.vcfed.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-49002.html
+
"the base operating system does not include development tools such as a C compiler, but it does include the linker and, importantly, an assembler (which is needed to rebuild the configuration files). The assembler is, however, disguised to make it less obvious what it is by giving it a different name and that is what I have been trying to remember ever since I saw this post. Finally, this morning, it came to me. You ''should'' find that you have something called 'storel' (read it as 's-to-rel' as in 'something that transforms .s files into relocatable (ie .o) files' and the name becomes a little less obscure) on the system - I ''think'' that it lives in /bin. but it ''might'' be somewhere else such as /etc." (Source: [http://www.vcfed.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-49002.html here])
  
 
=== Applications ===
 
=== Applications ===
Line 75: Line 70:
 
*Microsoft Multiplan (available on the Apple Lisa)
 
*Microsoft Multiplan (available on the Apple Lisa)
 
*Microsoft Word v5.0
 
*Microsoft Word v5.0
*vi ( not really an application, but more of a torture device ) ( May not be present on the x86 version, so ed will have to be used )
+
*vi (Not really an application, but more of a torture device. May not be present on the x86 version, so ed will have to be used.)
  
 
=== Databases ===
 
=== Databases ===
Line 92: Line 87:
 
*SCO Manager
 
*SCO Manager
 
*SCO Multiview
 
*SCO Multiview
 
A history of Xenix:
 
[https://fossbytes.com/xenix-history-microsoft-unix-operating-system/ History Of Xenix - Microsoft's Forgotten Unix-based Operating System]
 
 
[https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=17/03/03/1620222 Restoring Xenix 386 2.2.3c, Part 1]
 
 
[https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1981-06/page/n249 Byte Magazine Article on Xenix June 1980, BYTE, pg 249]
 
  
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> - ''SCO in this case refers to the original Santa Cruz Operation, and not the later SCO Group who bought the name and started the SCO/Linux lawsuits.''
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki> - ''SCO in this case refers to the original Santa Cruz Operation, and not the later SCO Group who bought the name and started the SCO/Linux lawsuits.''
 
== Emulators with ready to run distributions ==
 
 
* [x86] Architecture
 
 
http://www.hampa.ch/pce/download.html
 
 
* [i286] Architecture
 
 
Run Xenix in a browser window!
 
 
https://www.pcjs.org/disks/pcx86/unix/sco/xenix/086/2.1.3/
 
 
https://www.pcjs.org/disks/pcx86/unix/sco/xenix/286/2.1.3/ [ Currently does none of the 286 versions boot]
 
 
https://www.pcjs.org/disks/pcx86/unix/sco/xenix/386/
 
  
 
== Getting this to run ==
 
== Getting this to run ==
  
*[[Installing Xenix 2.x on Qemu|i386/i286 Xenix 2]]
+
The 8086 version of XENIX runs fine in an emulator.
: Note: The 286 version of Xenix will only run on a 286 processor or a 286 processor emulator that handles the upper byte of the Segment Descriptor bytes, documentended as reserved for use on a iAPX 386, by essentially ignoring it, and letting Xenix use it. A poor programming choice as best. ( Now, that we know the publication dates of Intels documentation (1983), we know they ignored the Intel documentation about the use of the upper byte of the descriptor words.. [http://www.os2museum.com/wp/ibm-xenix-two-steps-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-363304 ])
 
  
Available Xenix repositories:
+
Note: The 286 version of XENIX will only run on a 286 processor or a 286 processor emulator that handles the upper byte of the Global Descriptor byte 7, documented as reserved for use on a iAPX 386, by essentially ignoring it, and letting XENIX use it. A poor programming choice as best. (Now, that we know the publication dates of Intel's documentation (1982), we know they ignored the Intel documentation about the use of the upper byte of the descriptor words.. Details [http://www.os2museum.com/wp/ibm-xenix-two-steps-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-363304 here])
  
https://github.com/retrohun/blog/tree/master/dt/xenix286ondemand
+
==External links==
  
https://archive.org/details/msxenix/history/files/pics/progman5.jpg.~1~
+
===Announcements===
  
https://winworldpc.com/product/xenix/286
+
* [https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?htmlfid=897/ENUS284-159&infotype=AN&subtype=CA&appname=skmwww XENIX Operating System for the IBM System 9000]
 +
* [https://www.cbronline.com/news/santa_cruz_ships_xenix_v_for_ps2_developed_in_london/ Santa Cruz ships XENIX V for PS2 - Developed in London]
  
http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?30490-Xenix-Development-Systems
+
===History===
 +
* [http://www.softpanorama.org/People/Torvalds/Finland_period/xenix_microsoft_shortlived_love_affair_with_unix.shtml Microsoft Short-lived Love Affair with Unix] - A detailed history
 +
* [https://fossbytes.com/xenix-history-microsoft-unix-operating-system/ History Of Xenix - Microsoft's Forgotten Unix-based Operating System]
 +
* [http://seefigure1.com/2014/04/15/xenixtime.html A bit of XENIX history] - XENIX history
 +
* [http://www.edm2.com/index.php/XENIX XENIX] - Brief wiki page on XENIX; includes a bibliography
 +
<!-- * [http://www.tenox.net/docs/ Cache of old UNIX docs] - Includes lots of Xenix documentation in PDF format.-->
 +
* [https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1981-06/page/n249 The UNIX Operating System and the XENIX Standard Operating Environment] - Byte Magazine Article on Xenix, BYTE June 1980, pg 249
 +
<!-- *[https://virtuallyfun.com/wordpress/2009/02/10/apple-lisa-xenix/Apple Lisa (c1983) Xenix 3.0] -->
  
These guys made some extraordinary efforts to get a few utilities to run:
+
===Emulators===
  
https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=17/03/13/086250
+
* [http://www.hampa.ch/pce/download.html PCE - PC Emulator] - [x86] Architecture
 +
* [https://www.pcjs.org/disks/pcx86/unix/sco/xenix/086/2.1.3/ SCO Xenix System V Release 2.1.3 for i8086] - Runs Xenix in a browser window
 +
* [https://www.pcjs.org/disks/pcx86/unix/sco/xenix/286/2.1.3/ SCO Xenix 286 v2.1.3] - Currently none of the 286 versions boot?
 +
<!-- * [https://www.pcjs.org/disks/pcx86/unix/sco/xenix/386/ ] -->
 +
* [https://www.pcjs.org/software/pcx86/sys/unix/sco/xenix/386/2.2.3b/ SCO Xenix 386 v2.2.3b] - 80386 version of XENIX
 +
* [https://www.pcjs.org/software/pcx86/sys/unix/sco/xenix/286/2.3.2d/ SCO Xenix 286 v2.3.2d] - XENIX in a browser emulator
  
== Other Reference Pages ==
+
===Repositories===
  
http://www.edm2.com/index.php/XENIX
+
* [https://github.com/retrohun/blog/tree/master/dt/xenix286ondemand Xenix286 on demand]
 +
<!-- * [https://archive.org/details/msxenix/history/files/pics/progman5.jpg.~1~ xx] -->
 +
* [https://winworldpc.com/product/xenix/286 Xenix 286]
 +
* [http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?30490-Xenix-Development-Systems Xenix Development Systems]
 +
<!-- * [https://fsck.technology/software/SCO/SCO%20Unix%20Installers/ xx] -->
 +
* [https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/xenix-30-apple-lisa Xenix 3.0 for Apple Lisa]
 +
* [http://tenox.pdp-11.ru/xenix/ Tenox Operating Systems Archive] - Includes Xenix documentation in PDF format
  
Extensive bibliography
+
===Archaeology===
  
http://www.softpanorama.org/People/Torvalds/Finland_period/xenix_microsoft_shortlived_love_affair_with_unix.shtml
+
* [https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=17/03/03/1620222 Restoring Xenix 386 2.2.3c, Part 1]
 +
* [https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=17/03/13/086250 Xenix 2.2.3c Restoration: Xrossing The X (Part 4)] - Includes some extraordinary efforts to get some utilities to run
  
 
{{semi-stub}}
 
{{semi-stub}}

Revision as of 16:25, 19 December 2020

Xenix on a 386

Xenix was Microsoft's port of AT&T UNIX; it was a portable operating system with ports to various platforms. It was based on v6, v7, SYSIII, and later SYSV.

XENIX was originally developed on a DEC Virtual Address Extension (VAX) running the Virtual Memory System (VMS) and a PDP-11 running UNIX V7, albeit now using Microsoft's own in-house minicomputers, and then converted into assembly language specific to the new 16-bit Motorola 68000 and Intel 8086 microprocessors. This put XENIX at the high end of the microcomputer market, which was still dominated by 8-bit machines, but well below the lowest end of the minicomputer market - "XENIX -- Microsoft Short-lived Love Affair with Unix "

Unfortunately, "Xenix even incorporated the elements of BSD and became the most widely installed base of any Unix variant. Talking about the different modifications of Xenix, it was ported to Zilog Z8001, Intel 8086, Tandy Corporation’s 68000 based computers, and even a variant for Apple Lisa."

Modifications to Western Electric v7 included those necessary to transport the UNIX system from the larger PDP-11 mini computer to the 16-bit microprocessors. Currently scheduled machines included the DEC LSI-11/23, Zilogs Z8001 and Z8002, Intel's 8086 and 286, and Motorola's MC68000. - Robert Greenburg, uSloth.

Because of the price of the OS, about $500USD for the OS, and $500USD for the developer tools, combined with cheap PC and compatibles, Xenix was the most widespread UNIX until the rise of Linux. Xenix due to its inherent multi-user capabilities became widespread in sales environments with POS (Point of Sales) terminals, and for scheduling systems commonly found in hotels and restaurants. Occasionally you can still find this setup still running on aging hardware.

With the rise of the IBM PC, it primarily became an x86 based OS. Xenix eventually became SCO Unix, then later SCO OpenServer, where it still languishes today.

Platforms

Intel

Xenix supported the following platforms:

  • IBM 386 [386] The 32bit ones will run on Qemu/Virtual PC
  • IBM PS/2 [386MC] This version was specifically for MCA computers with a 386 or higher CPU.
  • SCO Announced Xenix for the Model 50, 60 and 80, but its unknown if there are archives of it.
  • IBM 286 [286] - As is this version..
  • IBM PC [8088 or x86] - This is 'easy' to find.

This is a list of version numbers for the various Architectures:

  • SysV 386 – 3.2 4.2
  • 386 – 2.2.3, 2.3.4a, 2.3.4q ( SCO v2.2.3b, v2.3.2f, v2.3.4h)
  • 286 – 2.1.3, 2.2.1, 2.3.2 ( SC0 v2.1.3, v2.2.1e, v2.2.3b, v2.3.2d)
  • 8086 – 2.1.3 (SCO v2.1.3)

Motorola

Others

* Note: This sounds like vaporware since neither the Onyx 1 nor the Commodore 900 ran Xenix

Software

A quick list of a few software programs that were available on Xenix. I know the x86 platform was the most supported, I now know that some of these made it to the less popular 68000 platform.

Microsoft

Microsoft made several of their programs in the 1980's available on the Xenix platform. Microsoft Multiplan, and the BASIC Compiler.

Languages

"the base operating system does not include development tools such as a C compiler, but it does include the linker and, importantly, an assembler (which is needed to rebuild the configuration files). The assembler is, however, disguised to make it less obvious what it is by giving it a different name and that is what I have been trying to remember ever since I saw this post. Finally, this morning, it came to me. You should find that you have something called 'storel' (read it as 's-to-rel' as in 'something that transforms .s files into relocatable (ie .o) files' and the name becomes a little less obscure) on the system - I think that it lives in /bin. but it might be somewhere else such as /etc." (Source: here)

Applications

  • Autodesk AutoCAD 10i
  • Microsoft Multiplan (available on the Apple Lisa)
  • Microsoft Word v5.0
  • vi (Not really an application, but more of a torture device. May not be present on the x86 version, so ed will have to be used.)

Databases

  • Foxpro

Games

SCO*

  • SCO Professional
  • SCO Lyrix (available on the Apple Lisa)
  • SCO Integra
  • SCO Manager
  • SCO Multiview

* - SCO in this case refers to the original Santa Cruz Operation, and not the later SCO Group who bought the name and started the SCO/Linux lawsuits.

Getting this to run

The 8086 version of XENIX runs fine in an emulator.

Note: The 286 version of XENIX will only run on a 286 processor or a 286 processor emulator that handles the upper byte of the Global Descriptor byte 7, documented as reserved for use on a iAPX 386, by essentially ignoring it, and letting XENIX use it. A poor programming choice as best. (Now, that we know the publication dates of Intel's documentation (1982), we know they ignored the Intel documentation about the use of the upper byte of the descriptor words.. Details here)

External links

Announcements

History

Emulators

Repositories

Archaeology