ICL Plc has incorporated Solaris compatibility within its new Unix System V.4-compliant operating system, which is due to be launched at UniForum. DRS/NX version 7, its implementation of Unix System Laboratories Inc’ System V.4.2 desktop operating system for iAPX-86 and Sparc systems, includes X/Open Co Ltd XPG4-compliance, multiprocessing support, and support for both OSF/Motif and Open Look interfaces. ICL promises compatibility with SunSoft Inc Solaris 2.X applications, and says that Solaris users will also be able to access ICL System V.4.2 applications. Version 7 comes with disk striping, disk mirroring and file management functions, a set of graphic monitoring and administration tools and C2 level security. Other features include print, restore and back-up facilities and support for Novell Inc’s NetWare, TCP/IP, SNA, X25 and Open Systems Interconnection protocols. Details of pricing for the Sparc server version will be released when it ships in April. Support for Pentium machines will be available by the end of the year. DRS/NX version 7 for iAPX-86 is priced from $500 to $1,600. DRS/NX will become ICL’s mainstream Unix implementation on both desktops and servers, and there are upgrade paths for current System V.4 users. It will be sold through ICL’s existing direct and indirect sales channels and in Europe by Technology Plc its personal computer and peripherals subsidiary. ICL says it is also encouraging independent software vendors handling Solaris to market the product.
