Vaxstation 3100

From: Peter C. Wallace <pcw_at_mesanet.com>
Date: Sat Jun 22 10:23:19 2002

On Sat, 22 Jun 2002, Doc wrote:

> On Fri, 21 Jun 2002, Geoff Reed wrote:
>
> > So what OS will run on a vaxstation 3100?
>
> VMS, NetBSD, supposedly Ultrix, though nobody's ever seen it on a
> 3100. I'll tell you next week. I think there's a Linux kernel booting
> on it, but not much more than just booting.

        I had a VS3100/38 running Ultrix (4.2A) on my desk, being a Xterm for
years... Finally replaced it with a DS5000/133 running NetBSD and then a
Envisex Xterm. Still have that 3100/38 (I probably have about 5 VS3100/38s).
        I remember the compiler that came with Ultrix was almost useless, so I
had to compile GCC to be able to use any generic source code. That took a
while... I also remember running some of the ancient old Berkely stuff on it
like Franz Lisp.
        I think the VS3100/3X4X was the last VAXstation to be able to run
Ultrix (the 3100/76 never did) I guess after the MIPS based DECstations came
out, it was a little silly to run Ultrix on a VAXstation since you got so much
more bang/buck with the MIPS...

        So if you want a copy of the VS3100/38's system disk (540M Quantum
IIRC) I can dd it to another 540...

        I _may_ have a VAX Ultrix CD, I do have Ultrix 4.2 and 4.3A
(and OSF1) sources. The Ultrix sources have code for both VAX and MIPS.

>
> NetBSD is pretty capable, very stable, and very slow. OpenVMS is very
> capable, very stable, and even slower. I have one running NetBSD, and
> thought about putting it up as my webserver. May yet do it.
>
> I don't think any of the BSD4.x's or 2.xxBSD from PUPS will run on it.
>
> Doc
>
>


Peter Wallace
Received on Sat Jun 22 2002 - 10:23:19 BST