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From: wolf@well.UUCP (Dwight Leu)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.questions
Subject: Re: CUBIX Computers
Message-ID: <4423@well.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Nov-87 01:32:31 EST
Article-I.D.: well.4423
Posted: Wed Nov 11 01:32:31 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Nov-87 20:44:01 EST
References: <893@csuchic.csuchico.EDU>
Lines: 58
Keywords: CUBIX iAPX286 UNIX System V Release 2
Summary: Microport, Cubix; ISC didn't do the 286 UNIX port

In article <893@csuchic.csuchico.EDU>, shades@csuchico.EDU (Bennett Smith) writes:
> During the past few days I have noticed a string of replies to a letter
> asking for information on the CUBIX computer systems.  It seems as though
> all parties which replied are somewhat misinformed where this machine is 
> concerned.  

I'm sorry to say that you are too, at least about the software.

> First of all, the machine is running AT&T iAPX286 Unix System V Release
> 2, which was ported by Interactive Systems, and then CUBIX wrote the
> drivers for the box.  It is *not* running Microsoft, nor does it run
> any form of XENIX.  The system can run Microport binary files, as they
> (Microport) also got the SysV port from Interactive Systems.

ISC did *not* do the iAPX286 port. This was done by Chuck Hickey's
group at DRI. After the port was given to ATT and Intel, DRI lost interest
in UNIX, and Microport was spun off from Chuck's original group.
ISC took over the maintenance of the 286 release, and wasn't involved in
the original 286 porting effort.

Microport's people have been pioneering real UNIX technology on the
Intel architecture longer than anyone else in industry. We did the
first UNIX port to the IBM AT architecture, as well as the first port to
the 386 AT hardware. Our expertise enabled us to finish the 386 AT
port faster than Interactive, even though they were responsible for
the certified 386 port, left out key parts of the 386 alpha release,
and started two weeks ahead of us. According to Intel, we finished
two weeks before they did. And our longer experience with Intel/IBM/ATT
is why our 286 and 386 releases run faster, and on more AT's, than
either the certified ATT release, or ISC's release (there *is* a
difference between certified ATT UNIX, and ISC UNIX).

Microport does not get its software from ISC; it's too expensive.
We've always had a close relationship with both ATT and Intel, 
and we get our software only from them. You are correct about 
the binary compatibility. However, at Comdex I talked to the Cubix
people and they claimed they got their original software from Microport.
But I'm in engineering, not sales, and have no further information here.

I was impressed by the Cubix box. It's incredibly tiny, and the 
performance seemed to be quite good.

>  \  \    Shades \@ CVM Systems             uucp: ihnp4!csun!csuchic!cvm!shades
>   O^O    disclamer: opinions are mine,    voice: (916) 895-8321
>                     and not CVM Systems.

>        * CVM Systems is an Authorized CUBIX Reseller.


	-dwight-

	Dwight H. Leu			ihnp4!amdcad!uport!dwight
	V.P. Engineering		well!wolf
	Microport			microsoft!sco!ucscc!uport!dwight

	408-438-8649

"Will your XENIX application run next year when Microsoft drops XENIX and
 switches to UNIX? Not even Microsoft guarantees it."