Where can I get UNIX from?

S

yeah! yeah! yeah! I know asking for UNIX is like asking for a V8 engine. I will get the answers saying get "Fedora core" or "Ubuntu" or any other flavour.
*Yippee!! I made ma point clear*

If anybody remmebers the it was me who was tangled in problems with Solaris 10 (the monitor came out to be the culprit and henc I dropped the idea)
basically I'm looking forward for administration on solaris and UNIX platforms and hence required some thing. I won't be running (and gunning) trying all the linux flavours. I want a stability in my already rocking life.

I've got a few questions:

Can anybody give me a download link to UNIX?
How much space will UNIX consume?
Does Unix support GUI? (Read somewhere that GUI shells like KDE, GNOME, CDE etc can be installed and they aren't 'glued' i.e., you can change the shell whenever you want)

PS: Do the linux flavours also support changing the GUI shell huh!

UNIX is not free dear, u got to pay for it. r u ready to shell out bucks for it???

A few links:
*www.unix.org/version3/iso_std.html
*www.unix.org/version3/online.html

you will have to buy it online.

Thats right, Unix is not free dear. To get it u have to contact SCO! Neways asking for unix......u must be filthy rich !!

S

:O WHAT!!! UNIX is not Free? Any evaluation copies available? what about my other question

M

Well if you want to try out something UNIXish for free, get some free unix like OS's. One is solaris, others that are available for free are BSD's - FreeBSD, OpenBSD and netBSD. All of them have a huge community beyond them, not as much as windows or linux but still.
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shaunak said:
A few links:
*www.unix.org/version3/iso_std.html
*www.unix.org/version3/online.html

you will have to buy it online.

Those are Unix specifications. See this *www.computing.net/unix/wwwboard/forum/6550.html
If I am not mistaken Unix isn't produced anymore, only unix-like and unix-certified OS'es only exist now.
__________
What is a GUI shell?
AFAIK there's different shells like bash, csh, tcsh, zsh and many more. But, of course all are command line.
Are you talking of GUI's running on top of X-Windows? Then there are lots of choices you have namely KDE, GNOME, XFCe, Fluxbox, TWM, Enlightenment and lots more.

S

If I'm not wrong, the Linux flavours also run atop UNIX.

tech_your_future said:
If I am not mistaken Unix isn't produced anymore, only unix-like and unix-certified OS'es only exist now.

What about the organizations running their database servers on UNIX? I heard this from ma bro, they've got Solaris servers, Unix servers and Windows servers (no Linux servers though)

As I said, I am looking forward for an administation job on Unix and solaris platforms. What should I consider in case Unix isn't free. I gave solaris a try but just when it was going to login to the GUI-shell, my monitor's lights started blinking, perhaps the frequency was outta range.
Anyways, lets say I get a new 17" LCD and run Solaris 10, is there any difference in solaris and UNIX. I won't be able to get my hands on a UNIX system till I get employed and I wanna delve as deep as possible till then.

Hope you go it. *worried*

PS: I googled and was unable to find the cost or a download link to UNIX

this site may help u out
*www.tech-faq.com/download-unix.shtml

S

@tech_geek: it talks of downloading the cars running on the V-8 engine. I was talking of the engine itself. anyways thanks for the link.

I wonder why UNIX is paid whereas OSes running on UNIX (linux, solaris) are free.

M

What we see today aren't really the Unix system that was popular in 80's from which today's OS's are derived.
Mostly, OS which are used today in name of Unix are HP-UX, AIX and SGI,etc.
Maybe this thread can clear up some of your confusion *www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23091

@Se><ie : Linux,Solaris is not Unix and neither runs on top of Unix. Linux source code is completely different from Unix. It was created by Linus Torvalds to mimic Unix.
Neways : Solaris,Various BSDs etc are Unix like distros and HP-UX etc should not be termed UNIX but they are called UNIX variants. The original Unix was created at AT and T.

Neways for the price these links will give u a little idea . It says even for universities $16K is charged!
UNIX.*stellarinfo.com/unixware-data-recovery-price.htm
*cm.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/who/dmr/licenses.html

For the hardisk space I guess it takes atleast 4 GB of space. Thats what I read somewhere!

Want Unix?, buy SCO UNIX Checkout their website *www.sco.com/ for more details.
Also you need a UNIX expert for installation & support. Believe me it will be very tough
unless you know UNIX very well!!

M

Just start with OS'es like Linux, BSD's and Solaris for now. Once you master them go for Unix, if you can get your hands on one. I'd recommend BSD's to start with unless you are a complete n00b.

UNIX now exists only as a certification for complaint systems. You need to learn
more about UNIX, POSIX, The Open Group and Single UNIX Specification.

Also note that UNIX trademark and UNIX source-code are two different things.
The Open Group is the owner of the "UNIX" trademark, and only operating systems
fully complaint and certified to "The Single UNIX Specification" qualify as UNIX.
AIX, Solaris, IRIX, HP-UX and Tru64 are licensed to use the "UNIX" trademark.
Hence, they are truly 'UNIX' operating systems. Linux and the BSDs are only UNIX-like
systems in this light.

Sun Solaris and IBM AIX are fully complaint with the UNIX03 (2003) certification standards.

1. *en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix
2. *www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/
3. *www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/power/library/pa-spec13/?ca=dgr-wikiaUnixStandard

S

mediator said:
It was created by Linus Torvalds to mimic Unix.

It was developed by Andrew.S.Tennenbaum and Linus Torvalds merely helped in writing out some code. In tennebaum's words, "...and he messed up with the code". Linus jumped on Tennebaum's head and started shouting "I created Linux in 6 months as a project". How can a newbie(student) like Linus develop an OS when a great mind of Tennenbaum took 5 years to develop minix with 16+ years of experience. I'm not being sarcastic but there a lots of rumour floating around regarding this stuff.

Hmm... so the trademark can't be used by anyone and everyone. and there is nothing like a UNIX server huh! it infact means that they are using solaris/AIX etc. Thanks for clearing up the confusion guys. Gotta think about getting a monitor now.
please don't stop providing the "gyaan" on this matter.

JGuru said:
Want Unix?, buy SCO UNIX Checkout their website *www.sco.com/ for more details.
Also you need a UNIX expert for installation & support. Believe me it will be very tough
unless you know UNIX very well!!

Update:
want UNIX , contact Microsoft coz MS is purchasing UNIX license from SCO.

SE><IE said:
It was developed by Andrew.S.Tennenbaum and Linus Torvalds merely helped in writing out some code. In tennebaum's words, "...and he messed up with the code". Linus jumped on Tennebaum's head and started shouting "I created Linux in 6 months as a project". How can a newbie(student) like Linus develop an OS when a great mind of Tennenbaum took 5 years to develop minix with 16+ years of experience. I'm not being sarcastic but there a lots of rumour floating around regarding this stuff.

MINIX and Linux are/were two different projects. Linus and other developers
got ticked off because of the minimalistic policy of AST, which prevented
them from enhancing it into a full-grown UNIX-clone. AST wanted to keep
it simple and small enough to be used in OS classes in Universities.

This made Linus write his own little kernel, which was later enhanced by no
less than thousands of other developers. Linus didn't create the whole of
the Linux kernel by himself. But he retained the Linux trademark. Other parts
are the copyrights of the their respected authors.

Linus is, no doubt, a great programmer and kernel hacker. But, it was his talent
and arrogance of a stubborn college student that helped him create the
kernel that is used by more people than all other Unixen combined.

S

I said what I read in "modern operating systems" by tanenbaum. No hard feelings.

M

SE><IE said:
It was developed by Andrew.S.Tennenbaum and Linus Torvalds merely helped in writing out some code. In tennebaum's words, "...and he messed up with the code". Linus jumped on Tennebaum's head and started shouting "I created Linux in 6 months as a project". How can a newbie(student) like Linus develop an OS when a great mind of Tennenbaum took 5 years to develop minix with 16+ years of experience. I'm not being sarcastic but there a lots of rumour floating around regarding this stuff.

Hmm... so the trademark can't be used by anyone and everyone. and there is nothing like a UNIX server huh! it infact means that they are using solaris/AIX etc. Thanks for clearing up the confusion guys. Gotta think about getting a monitor now.
please don't stop providing the "gyaan" on this matter.

Linus has never said he alone made the Linux OS. That's just lies spread by some people. Linus has always said that he has worked on it with other people over usenet in making of Linux kernel. The GNU/Linux OS is lot more than the Linux kernel, that is trademarked in the name of Linus. It has developed on the previously existing GNU and FSF.
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SE><IE said:
I said what I read in "modern operating systems" by tanenbaum. No hard feelings.

Never trust any text book 100%. We are never ever told the truth in textbooks or else images of so many of our hereos in the history books will be tainted.

SE><IE said:
I said what I read in "modern operating systems" by tanenbaum. No hard feelings.

No hard feelings at all!

S

Is this the HP-UX? They say its free to download. I hope I'm not at the wrong link.

What about AIX? is it free too? I couldnt find the link to download it; any links?

Can I install them normally are they for some special purpose only?

HP-UX or AIX don't have any x86 versions. You're better off with Solaris x86.
I've installed it on both my desktop and ThinkPad, and it works beautifully.

I suggest that you download the "Solaris Express Community Release" from
OpenSolaris.org - *www.opensolaris.org/os/downloads/on/
Latest build is snv_48. SXCR are 'preview' version of the next official release,
Solaris 11 in this case. It has more features, drivers and new software when
compared with Solaris 10.

S

I don't have the x86 architecture its x64 (AMD). any link to the supported hardware?

SE><IE said:
I don't have the x86 architecture its x64 (AMD). any link to the supported hardware?

Here's the HCL for Solaris - *www.sun.com/bigadmin/hcl/

Besides, both HP-UX and AIX run on only bigiron RISC machines. You would need
a PA-RISC (Itanium) to run HP-UX and IBM Power machine for AIX.

M

So, when you buying a RISC machine se><ie?

S

*ahem* my birthday was on 28th september. No one even cared to give me a birthday gift (a RISC machine)

Why dont u just give a try to Solaris and various BSDs? I'm sure Unix variants wont be free either!

S

I tried solaris but my monitor was unable to handle it. its lights kept on blinking. I tried cingiguring at 800x600 still, the same problem. As for the BSDs, I want stability buddy. Won't be shifting frequently to other OSes. I may get a new 17" LCD. till then its windows for me. or maybe I can get someone's monitor to verify that it will run without a glitch when I get a new display

M

Then just go for FreeBSD. It's not really that difficult but still it's great.
And I hope you don't mean BSD isn't a stable OS when you say you want stability.

S

LOL, I meant I won't change my OS once fixed. Not the stability issue about BSD.

M

What's wrong with the BSD's why can't you use it extensively? It's got a good large community. Huge support of apps, just behind windows and linux.
Many of linux apps are ported to FreeBSD and vice versa.
If you are scared, of just going for FreeBSD at first, just try out PC-BSD or DesktopBSD, believe me it's just superb and simple to install, though both of the latter projects lack no. of applications. But, you needn't worry about that cos you can enable FreeBSD port system, as both are based on FreeBSD and you will have huge no. of apps.
Here's a small review of my experience of using PC-BSD *forum.techspot.in/showthread.php?t=2502.

S

basically I will need to work on UNIX servers as a part of my administartive job (once I get a job that is). Just shifting away from windows isn't what I want. Wanna implement those administrative tasks and hence was loking for UNIX. Found that it doesn't exist, even if it does it will bankrupt me.
Already tried solaris (monitor didn't work though). Is it that BSD follows the standard definition of UNIX as solaris, HP-UX, AIX do?

Will give BSD a try though. Whats the flavour that will best suit my needs?

M

BSD's do follow POSIX standards, but I don't know how closely they follow Unix specifications. It really doesn't matter which OS you use for now.
Unlike in windows you can get down and dirty with any unix like OS. So, you will learn about any unix based system to a good extent.
And FreeBSD is the way to go. Or just go for PC-BSD or DesktopBSD which have been derived from FreeBSD. NetBSD and OpenBSD aren't really made for home users.
Even Solaris is good no doubt. But, I feel BSD is better. Well opinions of other members will differ.
Also there is linux which is again a POSIX compliant OS and derived from Unix so you can learn quite a few things about unix based OS'es from linux too.

BSDs and Linuxen very close to being POSIX complaint. And it's true that you
can learn UNIX basics using any UNIX-like system, be it BSD, Linux or Solaris.
If you want to get into System Administration, RedHat/SUSE Linux, or Solaris
are the best choices in this country.

As far as BSD and Solaris are concerned, I'm in favor of Solaris. It's fully complaint
with both POSIX and SUSv3 specifications. It has excellent backwards compatibility
and enterprise backing. It is opensource and free for personal or commercial
use. It has many advanced features absent in competetive systems, like ZFS,
DTrace, Trusted Extentions etc. The only thing that goes against installing
Solaris on your desktop system is that it's not desktop/laptop friendly yet. And
there are no extensive software repositories as in case of Debian, Ubuntu etc.

S

well even I'm in favour of solaris but then since i'm unable to get it working, I would like to choose the next-to-best. What about FreeBSD? does it show NTFS partitions (not as read only)? I mean in comparison to PC-BSD that tech_your_future said. I already have freeBSD in one of Digit discs.

PS: there exits a thread which talks of free discs. some site ships free discs of Ubuntu, many free books etc. Can I get the link. just was unable to find.

M

I don't know about mounting ntfs as read write. But, I highly doubt if any of those OS'es will mount ntfs as read-write.
Here's some more info you'd like *www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17046, *www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2590, *www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3061.
And see this thread *www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3427 for some topics that have been covered in this section.

▀

well if u want to be a *nix admin i suggest u work ur way up from solaris, to other flavours on nix and then maybe to linux (redhat etc)
solaris is widely used in larger enterprises, larger enterprises try to stick with same vendor for OS & app combo (not always true though) Try to run it on virtual machine, try vmware.. without frying your monitor, it really help us simulate a lot of stuff and learn somthing worthwhile.. i have win2k3 AD talking to redhat samba, jboss clusters, setup NIS, HA or LoadBalanced servers etc ..

HP-UX, IRIX, AIX, SCO-UNIX, DEC etc are old and you will still find them in huge enterprises but they are dying, HPUX, Solaris, IBM AIX are the only ones which are doing better, solaris no being opensource is just a popular option. But mainly enterprises are shifting to opensource solutions, moving to linux, moving to apache from iplanet, moving from websphere -> jboss, blah blah...

@SE><IE, You need to do some tweaks in Solaris, then your monitor will work!!
By the way which Monitor brand you are using? Is it a 15'' or 17'' one?
You can try that. Solaris is your best option for learning UNIX.

Fixing Monitor problems in Solaris O.S Click here