IBM AIX question - what is AIX?

[tankman1989]

I read a few pages about AIX but the sources seemed to have it confused between an OS and hardware. Was AIX originally run only on IBM hardware, kind of like the AS 400's? Can it run on any hardware now?

I'm only asking because a job I'm looking into needs someone who can work with Linux/AIX so I'm not sure what they mean here.

Can anyone give a little insight on this?

 

[SilverLeaf]

AIX is IBM's commercial, closed source unix offering designed primarily to run on their hardware platforms. Current versions are not x86 compatible, and run mostly on their RISC based Power line of processors,

 

[rsarceno]

AIX is the IBM Unix OS for RS6000

AS/400 is a mid range server. In between Mini mainframe and pc server

 

[tankman1989]

So would a solid knowledge base in Linux help pick up AIX a little easier?

 

[Steve202]

Some basic unix knowledge will help loads and there's tones of info on the Internet if you ever get stuck.

 

[codegreen]

Well, knowing command-line Linux will certainly make AIX seem a little less like an alien world, but keep in mind that AIX is old-school corporate Unix, so don't expect it to work like a modern Linux distro. Really, if the job calls for AIX knowledge, that means there will be IBM servers and/or mainframes that you'll be working with. You should not be messing with these for a client unless you already know what you are doing.

That said, this YouTube playlist might be helpful to you:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrSnhukui33_OYv7GTBwCEQY4AXvoHYRr

If you really want to learn AIX, you'll need a computer running it. As mentioned, AIX does not run on x86 hardware. You can generally find IBM POWER5 workstations on eBay for less than $1000.00. Try to get one that includes a licensed AIX install (ask the seller if not mentioned in the description). Once you have that, IBM's AIX on Power Systems documentation will be helpful: http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/power..._power_browse_operatingsystems_overlay_mobile

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

I wouldn't get too excited, but take a look at this:

http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/10408/how-to-run-a-fresh-version-of-aix-in-a-virtual-machine-with-a-linux-host

 

[codegreen]

Huh. I didn't know there was a PS/2 version. Still, like you said, don't get too excited. Trying to get AIX running in something like VirtualBox is a recipe for pain, and not very helpful to boot. It's best to get a machine designed to run it.

EDIT: Hey, hey! Check out polarhome.com. You can get a free AIX shell account (among many other Unix-y options). That would be a great place to start.

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

If you know your Linux/Unix then I'm sure the transition to AIX shouldn't be too much hassle.

 

[SilverLeaf]

It's old, but evidently it will run in Virtual PC.

Compliments of Wikimedia:

 

[SAG]

Huh. I didn't know there was a PS/2 version.

It was there. Was the ******* child of AIX. None of the whitebeards liked the idea, and us young guys at the time were getting into other things. MINIX was starting to really get big at that time as well as other Unix like OSes - Then Linux came along a few years later and.... well, that's a different story.

 

[codegreen]

It was there. Was the ******* child of AIX. None of the whitebeards liked the idea, and us young guys at the time were getting into other things. MINIX was starting to really get big at that time as well as other Unix like OSes - Then Linux came along a few years later and.... well, that's a different story.

Well, golly, SAG. I can't think of anything I'd enjoy more than using a PS/2 running a crippled version of AIX.

 

[SAG]

Well, golly, SAG. I can't think of anything I'd enjoy more than using a PS/2 running a crippled version of AIX.

Give the 386 version of Solaris a shot!
Save the hair you pull out and donate it to Locks of Love (that's what I did).