New implementation of Unix will support the applications of the 1990s and beyond
After a prolonged two and a half year gestation period, the Open Software Foundation on Tuesday released its OSF/1 alternative Unix operating environment, including just about all the features it originally promised – namely symmetric multi-processing, networking, B-1 level security and advanced internationalisation. Unlike Unix from AT&T Co, it says, OSF/1 is designed to support the applications of the 1990s and beyond. As is well documented, the core technologies include a command set and libraries from IBM’s AIX 3.1, the Mach kernel from Carnegie Mellon University, Encore Computer Corp’s symmetrical processing, SecureWare’s SMP+ security, Mentat’s Streams networking and the Berkeley 4.4 virtual file system. The Mach kernel will enable workloads to be distributed among multiple processors and is said to be easier to maintain – it also offers support for dynamic system configuration, logical volume management and disk mirroring, with features required for the NCSC B-1 security classification. The initial release is available on three reference machines: the Intel 302 (80386), DECstation 3100 (MIPS R Series) and Encore’s Multimax (NS32000), with three additional vendor-contributed implementations on the tap for the Hewlett-Packard Apollo DN2500 (68030), Intergraph 6000 (Clipper) and an unidentified 80860-based system. The Foundation says the operating system as it stands will provide a clear migration path to upwardly-compatible micro-kernel-based environments of the future – namely OSF/2. Subsequent Foundation releases will take place every 12 to 18 months, culminating in the micro-kernel version. Prices are $50,000 for full distribution rights, $25,000 for source but no distribution rights, $5,000 for Universities, and $65 per copy object code user fees.
DEC out front as the seven sponsor members ouline their plans to implement OSF/1
With Foundation sponsors covering around 70% of the world’s mid-range systems market, IBM officials were speculating privately about the date when OSF/1 shipments would overtake those of AT&T’s System V Release 4 in the mid-range, while generally admitting that AT&T had an upper hand with low-end systems. But typically, IBM would still not commit itself to dates in its statement of support, saying only that it plans to incorporate OSF/1 into all of its AIX implementations – 370, PS/2, RS/6000 – and re-iterated its May announcement that it will integrate the Foundation’s DCE Distributed Computing Environment into its AIX and Systems Application Architecture families. IBM’s president of the Advanced Workstations Division Nick Donofrio said he expected that OSF/1 would achieve the same level of industry and user support as an operating environment that OSF/Motif has drawn from its graphical user interface capabilities. DEC, on the other hand, is likely to be the first to bring OSF/1 to the general market with plans for an advanced development kit of the operating system for end users, software vendors and academic institutions on the DECstation, enabling them to adjust their own investments in preparation for DEC’s move to its next major release of Ultrix, based on OSF/1 and due out in 1991. Hewlett-Packard Co and Hitachi Ltd are also promising OSF/1 launches next year, with Hewlett waiting for a new generation of Precision Architecture RISC workstations as the initial machine. Migration to other Hewlett families, and the integration of DCE technology, will take place over the next three years. This will include support for DCE and OSF/Motif on its proprietary HP 3000 line. Hitachi promises to put OSF/1 on its M Series line by the fourth quarter of 1991, followed by its other families. And without giving firm dates, Groupe Bull executive vice-president Michel Bloch said that his company would progressively integrate OSF/1 into its open software environment, starting from next year, and said that DCE support would also spread to its proprietary GCOS hardware. Perhaps the most vague was Siemens Nixd
orf Informationssysteme AG, which sought to excuse its recent defection to AT&T’s System V.4 by saying that it picks the best solution at the time we need solutions. Board member Hartwig Rogge said that his company would use this operating system technology for its Unix/Sinix systems as soon as possible, and saying that it would be integrating technology from both camps – which for all the details could simply mean OSF/Motif on top of System V.4.
Encore leads no-sponsor announcements
Non-sponsors chiming in with support for the new operating system included Encore Computer Corp, which carried out much of the work on parallelising the Mach-based OSF/1 kernel. Like DEC, Encore plans to release an advanced technology research product based on OSF/1 for its Multimax product line early in 1991. The Multimax version is the reference symmetrical multi-processing implementation of OSF/1. Intel Corp said it had actively participated in work on the 80386-80486 reference implementation and expected it to be made available by multiple vendors. And two software development companies – Gradient Technologies Inc of Hudson, Massachusetts and Simpact of San Diego, California made announcements. Gradient says it is working on a set of shrink-wrapped Distributed Computing Environment products for desktop systems, and has submitted technology for the Distributed Management Request for Technology. Simpact Associates says it is working on wide and local area network communications, Kerberos network security and third generation office system applications using the DCE.
Distributed Computing kit early in 1991
Aside from its OSF/1 announcements, the Foundation said that it would release a developers kit for the DCE Distributed Computing Environment early next year, in place of its normal snapshot early release procedure. The kit, including remote procedure call, local directory naming services, time services and threads, will allow a wider set of developers to begin work on DCE software than the normal early access schedules. The specifications of DCE were released five months ago, and full release is slated for mid-1991, with the addition of global X500 – naming, and distributed file, security and MS-DOS integration services. A source code licence will cost $5,000. John Abott British Telecommunications Plc has released details of the document it has submitted to the Trade & Industry Secretary as part of the preparations for the Telecom-Mercury duopoly review. The 10-point plan reflects Telecom’s two long term aims, firstly to become a international company, and, on the domestic front, to widen its brief as a public switched telephone network operator. Top of the list on Telecom’s paper is its wish to end cross-subsidising between profitable international, long distance and business services and the residential fixed line rental costs. As part of the pricing restructure it also proposes that pricing packages should be introduced, so that customers can choose from a combination of exchange lines and call usage charges, according to their needs. Telecom concedes some points to increased competition in UK telecommunications but they are equally balanced by its demands. The document states, There should be open competition in the long distance and local markets, to be achieved through simple resale on international private circuits and free interconnection between Mercury and cable operators. In fact Mercury already connects freely with cable operators and the Office of Telecommunications expressed its support for international simple resale a month ago. Tele-com does say that private circuits should be fully liberalised and that broadcasters should be allowed to utilise fully their networks by permitting them to carry one-way data to closed user groups, but it makes no mention of the possibility of licensing a third public telecommunications company via British Rail, the Post Office or the electricity companies, the much more radical idea to improve competition which is gaining ground amongst industry observers. While agre
eing that the cable-Mercury agreement for telephony makes sense, BT claims it is only fair that it and Mercury be allowed to carry entertainment television over its network, at the moment only the cable companies can carry both. It believes that this asymmetry between Telecom, Mercury and the cable operators should be removed by 1993. Cable companies have argued that this would almost certainly lead to the death of the cable industry, removing the only current local loop competition to Telecom. Telecom is keen to embrace new technology, not only in the televisual sphere, but also in voice-based telecommunications. It wants to be allowed to carry out radio trials for the further development of radio as an alternative to wire connections on the final link from the main network to the customers’ premises – but if it is free to raise fixed home phone rentals to cover all the costs, it is likely that third parties will eat its lunch in the local loop with wireless service.
