![[OpenBSD]](images/smalltitle.gif){kind=small}
++
![[nothing sucks like a vax]](images/vax.jpg)
+
+
+
+
+OpenBSD/vax runs on a large set of the VAX computers manufactured by
+Digital (then Compaq, now Hewlett-Packard).
+
-VAX has been a supported OpenBSD architecture since early 2000, when code was -synchronized with NetBSD's port. Being the second architecture to run BSD Unix -(in 1979!), it seems appropriate that these venerable vaxen should still have -a modern OS. The codebase is mostly from Berkeley, with contributions of free -code from Digital, Mt Xinu, NetBSD, OpenBSD and others. Development is ongoing, -and changes are shared among VAX hackers even to this day. The result of this -work is an Operating System that is stable and familiar to any OpenBSD user. +A mailing list dedicated to the OpenBSD/vax port is available at +vax@openbsd.org. +To join the OpenBSD/vax mailing list, send a message body of "subscribe +vax" to majordomo@openbsd.org. +Please be sure to check our mailing list policy before +subscribing.
-Significant changes between 3.1 and 3.2: +The current port maintainers are +Brandon Creighton +and Hugh Graham. +Others are definitely welcome to contribute!
+ +
-Significant changes between 3.0 and 3.1 +VAX has been a supported OpenBSD architecture since early 2000, when code was +synchronized with NetBSD's port. Being the second architecture to run BSD Unix +(in 1979!), it seems appropriate that these venerable vaxen should still have +a modern OS.
-+The current codebase is mostly from Berkeley, with contributions of free +code from Digital, Mt Xinu, NetBSD, OpenBSD and others. +
-Significant changes between 2.9 and 3.0: +After the port was sychronized with the NetBSD codebase, fixes and improvements +were made, such as support for 16 partition per drive, support for more VAX +models, improved emulation of unimplemented instructions, and so on.
-+Development is ongoing, and changes are shared among VAX hackers even to +this day. The result of this work is an operating system that is stable +and familiar to any OpenBSD user. +
+-Significant changes between 2.8 and 2.9: +Currently, all the hardware listed in the +supported hardware list section below boots +multi-user, and supports enough of the on-board devices to be generally +useable. +Some models can only run diskless at the moment, though.
++Since none of the VAXstation frame buffers are currently supported, there +are currently no X-Window servers available. +However, a complete set of X-Window clients and utilities is available, +allowing OpenBSD/vax machines to behave as X11 font servers, or run +X-Window clients on remote display. +
+ ++There a few problems still left in the OpenBSD/vax port, though:
-OpenBSD runs on a wide variety of VAX hardware, but our personal -inventory of systems -is limited. OpenBSD/vax may actually run on your machine even if it's not -listed here, and we rely on your testing and feedback to keep this list up -to date. After you finish installing your new system, consider running -"dmesg |mail dmesg@openbsd.org" to help us determine what types of -hardware people are using. +
|
- - Tested systems: - ++ + Documentation wanted:-
|
+
- - Projects being worked on: - ++ + +Getting and installing OpenBSD/vax: +-
+The latest supported OpenBSD/vax release is +OpenBSD 3.2. +Here are the + +OpenBSD/vax 3.2 installation instructions +. + -- Documentation we're looking for: - ++Snapshots are made available from time to time, in +this location +as well as in a few +mirrors. +Here are the + +OpenBSD/vax snapshot installation instructions + as well. + -
+ + Supported hardware:-- Known problems: - ++The list of supported hardware below is not meant to be exhaustive. +Due to a limited +inventory of systems +available to developers, not all hardware combinations have been tested. + -
|
-
+As a result, OpenBSD/vax may actually run on your machine even if it's not +listed here, and we rely on your testing and feedback to keep this list up +to date. +To help us improve the accuracy of this list, PLEASE +send your dmesg after installation +to dmesg@openbsd.org. +
-In addition to formal releases, snapshots that reflect our current work -are available for download from the ftp mirrors, -and a mailing has been set up at - vax@openbsd.org. -To join the OpenBSD/vax mailing list, send a message body of "subscribe -vax" to majordomo@OpenBSD.org. -Please be sure to check our mailing list policy before -subscribing. +
-The OpenBSD/vax port maintainers are -Brandon Creighton -and Hugh Graham. +Almost all the on-board devices are supported on these models, except for +frame buffers and keyboard interfaces. +SCSI controller is only supported when listed.
-+
-www@openbsd.org
+
+
+