[Info-vax] Alternative _legal_ operating systems for VAX ?

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 1/4/22 5:28 PM, chris wrote:
> On 01/02/22 08:39, Simon Clubley wrote:
>> Before deleting my simh instances, I thought I would look for
>> other operating systems which ran on VAX and try them out.
>>
>> The only current one I have found is NetBSD (which certainly has
>> a _very_ retro 1980s Unix feel to it. :-)).
>>
>> OpenBSD dropped VAX as an architecture a number of years ago.
>>
>> Does anyone know of any other operating systems (including any
>> experimental ones) for VAX that are still legal to run under simh ?
>>
>> If so, do you have any links to them ?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Simon.
>>
> 
> Some old unix distributions, Ultrix32, 

Ultrix32 is not legal for use without a license which you can not get.

>                                        for example. 4.3 BSD works
> on Vaxen up to MicroVAX II and possibly later. Having installed
> 4.3 bsd on both a Vax 730 and 725 many years ago, can confirm
> that it is stable, works with most interfaces including mscp and
> tmscp disk and tape controllers and good for serious work. 

Why run 4.3 BSD when NetBSD is the continued development from there.

>                                                            Iirc,
> I installed from 9 track magtape, but can be done via TK50 if you
> can find a way to write the tape. I used an Emulex QD33 and UD33
> smd disk controllers and disks for the work here.
> 
> All that stuff is available online for free now and probably far
> more robust than NetBSD Vax, for example...

I really don't see how 4.3 can be more robust than the versions
developed from it.  :-)

bill