===== Tru64 UNIX =====

Tru64 UNIX was the UNIX operating system for Alpha from Digital, and later from Compaq and HP. It was called DEC OSF/1 until 1995 and Digital UNIX until 1999. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_1000:alphaserver_1000_owners_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 1000 Owner's Guide}}, p. 3-1)] The first Alpha release, DEC OSF/1 V1.2, reached customers in March 1993, and the last, V5.1B, in late 2002, followed by patch releases up to V5.1B-6 (see [[#releases|Releases]]). After acquiring Compaq, HP made HP-UX its UNIX [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2002-May.mbox#L9640|"HPs roadmap for HPQ..."]], Arrigo Triulzi, tru64-unix-managers, 8 May 2002)] and did not port Tru64 UNIX to Itanium. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2002-December.mbox#L17609|"Summary: Some questions regarding Alpha and Itanium"]], Robert Honore, tru64-unix-managers, 19 Dec 2002)] HP's engineering support ended at the end of 2012, after which it offered Mature Product Support without further releases. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-tru64-mbox/googlegroups-2011-April.mbox#L1264|"Re: Tru64 licenses"]], Martin, comp.unix.tru64, 23 Apr 2011)]

==== Tru64 UNIX and Linux ====

Tru64 UNIX and Linux can be installed on the same machine, since both boot from the SRM console; see [[software:operating_systems#dual_booting|Operating Systems: Dual booting]], which also covers installing [[software:boot_loaders:aboot|aboot]] on a disk labeled by Tru64 UNIX.

HP did not port ''vrestore'' to Linux, so ''vdump'' archives can only be restored on a Tru64 system; ''tar'', ''pax'', and ''cpio'' archives are portable to Linux. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2007-January.mbox#L2157|"SUMMARY: vrestore on linux"]], Emanuele Lombardi, tru64-unix-managers, 23 Jan 2007)] Linux reads Tru64 UNIX disk labels and UFS file systems, but not AdvFS; see [[software:operating_systems#exchanging_files|Operating Systems: Exchanging files]].

Linux 5.17 and earlier could run some Tru64 UNIX programs, such as Netscape and Acrobat, through the kernel's a.out and ECOFF binary support together with Tru64 UNIX shared libraries. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/fs/Kconfig.binfmt?h=v5.17|fs/Kconfig.binfmt]], Linux 5.17)] Linux 5.18 stopped building that support on Alpha, [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/torvalds/c/19e8b701e258|"a.out: Stop building a.out/osf1 support on alpha and m68k"]], Linux 5.18)] and Linux 6.1 removed it. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/torvalds/c/987f20a9dcce|"a.out: Remove the a.out implementation"]], Linux 6.1)] Current kernels keep the OSF/1 system calls in the Alpha system call table, but cannot load Tru64 UNIX programs. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/arch/alpha/kernel/syscalls/syscall.tbl?h=v7.3-rc1|arch/alpha/kernel/syscalls/syscall.tbl]], Linux 7.3)]

==== Origins and names ====

DEC OSF/1 was based on the Open Software Foundation's OSF/1 Release 1.0.4. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-osf1-mbox/googlegroups-1993-April.mbox#L2838|"Re: wither OSF? (was Re: alpha OSF/1 1.2)"]], Tom Jordahl, comp.unix.osf.osf1, 14 Apr 1993)] It was renamed Digital UNIX in March 1995, with Version 3.2, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-announce-mbox/googlegroups-1995-March.mbox#L2459|"Press/Digital To Rename DEC OSF/1 Operating Systems 'Digital UNIX'"]], Digital Press and Analysts News, biz.digital.announce, 15 Mar 1995)] and Tru64 UNIX in February 1999, with V4.0F. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1999-February.mbox#L27502|"News/announcement: Compaq Tru64 UNIX and new Web site.."]], Tom Blinn, alpha-osf-managers, 1 Feb 1999)]

==== Supported systems ====

The Tru64 UNIX V4.0F Software Product Description lists these supported systems: [(>''Tru64 UNIX Operating System, Version 4.0F'', SPD 41.61.22, Compaq, April 1999, Hardware Support Tables)]

  * DEC 2000, DEC 3000, DEC 4000, and DEC 7000
  * AlphaServer 300, 400, 800, 1000, 1000A, 1200, 2000, 2100, 2100A, 4000, 4100, 8200, 8400, DS20, ES40, GS60, and GS140
  * AlphaStation 200, 250, 255, 400, 500, 600, and 600A, the Personal Workstation au series, and the Professional Workstation XP1000
  * the [[hardware:motherboards:axppci33|AXPpci 33]], [[hardware:motherboards:alpha_vme|AXPvme and Alpha VME]] boards, and the single board computers EB66+, EB164, AlphaPC 64, AlphaPC 164, AlphaPC 164LX, and AlphaPC 164SX

The list omits some systems that V4.0F did support, such as the AlphaServer DS10, [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_ds10_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer DS10 V7.3 Console Firmware Release Notes}})]. Which operating systems each system supports is summarized in [[software:operating_systems#support_by_system|Operating Systems: Support by system]].

==== Releases ====

Lettered releases mostly added support for new hardware. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-osf1-mbox/googlegroups-1994-January.mbox#L11029|"Re: OSF/1 releases"]], Eric Werme, comp.unix.osf.osf1, 20 Jan 1994)] Dates are when a release reached customers in the United States, as reported at the time.

^ Version ^ Released ^ Notes ^
| DEC OSF/1 V1.2 | March 1993 | First Alpha release. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-misc-mbox/googlegroups-1993-April.mbox#L929|"Re: Looking for experiences of Alpha sysadmins running OSF/1"]], ginger@gingr2.enet.dec.com, comp.unix.osf.misc, 28 Apr 1993)] |
| V1.3 | 1993 | [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-osf1-mbox/googlegroups-1993-August.mbox#L2223|"Re: How is the DEC OSF/1 v1.3 upgrade done?"]], Les Carleton, comp.unix.osf.osf1, 9 Aug 1993)] |
| V2.0 | March 1994 | [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-osf1-mbox/googlegroups-1994-March.mbox#L13853|"Re: OSF/1 V2.0 Release Date?"]], Jim Wilder, comp.unix.osf.osf1, 4 Mar 1994)] |
| V3.0 | August 1994 | [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-misc-mbox/googlegroups-1994-August.mbox#L721|"Re: Is DEC OSF/1 v3.0 Shipping?"]], Steve Strange, comp.unix.osf.misc, 26 Aug 1994)] |
| Digital UNIX V3.2 | March 1995 | The first release under the Digital UNIX name. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-announce-mbox/googlegroups-1995-March.mbox#L2459|"Press/Digital To Rename DEC OSF/1 Operating Systems 'Digital UNIX'"]], Digital Press and Analysts News, biz.digital.announce, 15 Mar 1995)] |
| V3.2B, V3.2C | 1995 | [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1995-August.mbox#L18229|"Current Digital UNIX releases"]], Tom Blinn, alpha-osf-managers, 3 Aug 1995)] |
| V3.2D-1, V3.2D-2 | January 1996 | V3.2D-2 added the single board computers. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1996-January.mbox#L11069|"SUMMARY: OSF/DU 3.2D MAJOR CD/Release Notes Boffo"]], Phil Antoine, alpha-osf-managers, 18 Jan 1996)] |
| V3.2G | 1996 | Bug-fix release of V3.2C, and the last V3.2 release. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1996-November.mbox#L21527|"SUMMARY: Which OSF-Version shall I use?"]], Harald Volz, alpha-osf-managers, 6 Nov 1996)] |
| V4.0 | April 1996 | [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1996-April.mbox#L18469|"SUMMARY: DUNIX V4.0 ship date (+ V3.2E!)"]], John Kohl, alpha-osf-managers, 3 Apr 1996)] V4.0A was a bug-fix release. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1996-November.mbox#L21527|"SUMMARY: Which OSF-Version shall I use?"]], Harald Volz, alpha-osf-managers, 6 Nov 1996)] |
| V4.0C | May 1997 | Intended only for the Personal Workstation au series. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1997-May.mbox#L21624|"Digital UNIX V4.0C media distribution"]], Tom Blinn, alpha-osf-managers, 8 May 1997)] |
| V4.0D | 19 January 1998 | Full Year 2000 support. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1998-January.mbox#L12091|"DIGITAL UNIX V4.0D is shipping in the US (with TCR V1.5)"]], Tom Blinn, alpha-osf-managers, 19 Jan 1998)] |
| V4.0E | 1998 | The first release to support EV6 processors. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1999-July.mbox#L4754|"SUMMARY: 4.0d , 4.0F and ev6 machines"]], Darrell King, tru64-unix-managers, 27 Jul 1999)] |
| Tru64 UNIX V4.0F | 7 May 1999 | Added new EV6 systems. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1999-May.mbox#L24730|"Tru64 UNIX V4.0F is shipping in the US starting today.."]], Tom Blinn, tru64-unix-managers, 7 May 1999)] |
| V5.0 | 1999 | Announced in the first week of April 1999. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1999-April.mbox#L24896|"Tru64 UNIX in the news (and announcement update)"]], Tom Blinn, tru64-unix-managers, 8 Apr 1999)] |
| V5.0A | April 2000 | Introduced TruCluster Server. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/2000-April.mbox#L1184|"Tru64 UNIX V5.0A update kits should be shipping about now.."]], Tom Blinn, tru64-unix-managers, 27 Apr 2000)] |
| V4.0G | June 2000 | The last V4.0 release. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/2000-June.mbox#L16133|"Product release news -- Tru64 UNIX V4.0G is shipping"]], Tom Blinn, tru64-unix-managers, 16 Jun 2000)] Supported until 30 June 2003. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/2001-March.mbox#L26427|"SUMMARY: Is Compaq Support for 4.0g ending?"]], Darryl Milczarek, tru64-unix-managers, 8 Mar 2001)] |
| V5.1 | September 2000 | [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/2000-September.mbox#L10241|"Tru64 UNIX V5.1 and TruCluster software"]], Tom Blinn, tru64-unix-managers, 20 Sep 2000)] Support ended on 28 February 2003. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2002-November.mbox#L665|"Tru64 UNIX v5.1 Support"]], Maria Gilliland, tru64-unix-managers, 1 Nov 2002)] |
| V5.1A | 5 September 2001 | [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/2001-September.mbox#L20815|"Tru64 UNIX V51.A Ships in the U.S. today"]], Thomas Blinn, tru64-unix-managers, 5 Sep 2001)] Prior version support ran from 1 March 2004 to 30 June 2007. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2005-January.mbox#L2619|"SUMMARY: probleme booting a cluster member"]], Malek Shabou, tru64-unix-managers, 13 Jan 2005)] |
| V5.1B | late 2002 | Added EV7 support. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/2001-October.mbox#L11496|"Summary: root partition in 5.1 (Second part)"]], Peter Stern, tru64-unix-managers, 21 Oct 2001)] The first release for which sites without a support contract had to buy an update license. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2002-December.mbox#L2543|"SUMMARY: When will a "v5.1b" folder be added to http://ftp.support.compaq.com/patches/public/unix/?"]], Glenn Schmid, tru64-unix-managers, 3 Dec 2002)] |
| V5.1B-1 to V5.1B-6 | 2004 and later | V5.1B with patch kits and new hardware support. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2004-February.mbox#L8821|"TRU64 V5.1B-1: How to identify it?"]], Stephen L. LaBelle, tru64-unix-managers, 10 Feb 2004)] V5.1B-6 is the final release. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-sys-dec-mbox/googlegroups-2011-October.mbox#L3611|"Re: DEC Multia (UDB) issues"]], MG, comp.sys.dec, 17 Oct 2011)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-tru64-mbox/googlegroups-2012-October.mbox#L467|"Permission Denied following an ASU upgrade"]], JoAnn Riccitelli, comp.unix.tru64, 30 Oct 2012)] |

==== Minimum versions ====

New hardware generally needed a new release:

^ System ^ Minimum version ^
| DEC 3000 Model 600 | DEC OSF/1 V1.3A [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-osf1-mbox/googlegroups-1994-June.mbox#L5580|"Re: Does osf/1 1.3 run on Dec 3000/600"]], Dave Parker, comp.unix.osf.osf1, 22 Jun 1994)] |
| AlphaServer 2100 | DEC OSF/1 V2.0B [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-osf1-mbox/googlegroups-1994-July.mbox#L19513|"Re: OSF/1 V2.0B"]], Dave Parker, comp.unix.osf.osf1, 7 Jul 1994)] |
| AlphaServer 2100A | Digital UNIX V3.2D-2 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1996-January.mbox#L11069|"SUMMARY: OSF/DU 3.2D MAJOR CD/Release Notes Boffo"]], Phil Antoine, alpha-osf-managers, 18 Jan 1996)] |
| Personal Workstation au series | Digital UNIX V4.0C [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1997-July.mbox#L106|"Summary: Digital Unix 4.0B and 500/au workstations."]], Jim Lochowitz, alpha-osf-managers, 31 Jul 1997)] |
| AlphaServer DS20, GS60, GS140 (EV6) | Digital UNIX V4.0E; V4.0D supports neither the 21264 nor the Tsunami chipset [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1999-March.mbox#L6844|"SUMMARY: 4.0F, E or D on a new DS20"]], Blake Brehl, tru64-unix-managers, 24 Mar 1999)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1998-December.mbox#L5713|"[SUMMARY]: Is 4.0e REQUIRED for EV6?"]], Mohan, alpha-osf-managers, 21 Dec 1998)] |
| AlphaServer DS10, ES40 | Tru64 UNIX V4.0F [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/2000-February.mbox#L16703|"SUMMARY: DS10 with Digital Unix 4.0D"]], Georges GRUDOV, tru64-unix-managers, 15 Feb 2000)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/2000-February.mbox#L21524|"SUMMARY: booting OS CDs (4.0e & 4.0f) on an ES40"]], Charlotte Barsby, tru64-unix-managers, 9 Feb 2000)] |
| AlphaServer ES45 | Tru64 UNIX V5.1A; V4.0G is not supported [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2002-May.mbox#L47494|"Summary: RE: ES45 running 4.0g?  Has anyone tried it?"]], Todd McGuinness, tru64-unix-managers, 31 May 2002)] |
| AlphaServer DS25 | Tru64 UNIX V5.1A with NHD 5 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2003-March.mbox#L7604|"New AlphaServer DS25 crashing on Tru64UNIX 5.1A Installation"]], Raul Sossa S., tru64-unix-managers, 8 Mar 2003)] |
| AlphaServer DS15 | Tru64 UNIX V5.1A or V5.1B with the latest patch and NHD kit [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2003-October.mbox#L12979|"SUMMARY: AS DS15 Tru64 compatibility matrix"]], Aaron Siebert, tru64-unix-managers, 17 Oct 2003)] |
| AlphaServer ES47, ES80, GS1280 | Tru64 UNIX V5.1B [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es47:alphaserver_es47_tower_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer ES47 Tower QuickSpecs}}, November 2003, p. 2)] |

Minimum versions on the OEM motherboards were Digital UNIX 4.0 for the AlphaPC 164, [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc164:pc164_digital_unix_product_brief.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC 164 DIGITAL UNIX Product Brief}}, p. 2)] 4.0D for the AlphaPC 164SX and 164LX, [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc164sx:pc164sx_digital_unix_user_manual.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC 164SX DIGITAL UNIX User's Manual}}, p. 7-29)] [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc164lx:pc164lx_tru64_unix_user_manual.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC 164LX Tru64 UNIX User's Manual}}, p. 7-29)] and Tru64 UNIX 4.0E for the AlphaPC 264DP. [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc264dp:pc264dp_user_manual.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC 264DP User's Manual}}, p. 8-44)]

==== End of support for older systems ====

V5.1 is the last release supported on the older DEC-branded systems without PCI buses (the DEC 2000, DEC 4000, and DEC 7000/10000); Compaq recommended V4.0G to their owners because of that release's planned long service life. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/2000-September.mbox#L10241|"Tru64 UNIX V5.1 and TruCluster software"]], Tom Blinn, tru64-unix-managers, 20 Sep 2000)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-September.mbox#L37862|"end of life for DEC branded Alphas (and Tru64)"]], William H. Magill, axp-list, 20 Sep 2000)] On the TURBOchannel DEC 3000, V5.0A is the last supported release; [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2002-May.mbox#L46415|"Summary: Firmware revision and tru64 version lifelimit on Alpha 1 000A 5/400 and Alpha 800"]], Mike Kirkland, tru64-unix-managers, 30 May 2002)] V5.1 runs on it without support, and V5.1A, from which all TURBOchannel code was removed, does not run. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/gmane-2003-January.mbox#L30858|"SUMMARY: DEC3000 300s and DEC 3000 400s with Tru64 v5"]], Robert Bannocks, tru64-unix-managers, 30 Jan 2003)]

==== Licensing ====

Compaq, and later HP, sold inexpensive licenses and media for non-commercial use, comparable to the OpenVMS hobbyist program. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-tru64-mbox/googlegroups-2001-December.mbox#L15119|"Re: emulator for tru64"]], Oisin McGuinness, comp.unix.tru64, 6 Dec 2001)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-tru64-mbox/googlegroups-2003-July.mbox#L17105|"Free UNIX for non-commerical use."]], David Kirkby, comp.unix.tru64, 27 Jul 2003)] By 2011 the program had ended, and HP no longer sold hobbyist licenses. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-tru64-mbox/googlegroups-2011-April.mbox#L695|"Re: Tru64 licenses"]], Kari Uusimäki, comp.unix.tru64, 23 Apr 2011)]

==== See also ====

  * [[software:operating_systems|Operating Systems]]
  * [[software:firmware:srm|SRM console]]
  * [[software:boot_loaders:aboot|aboot]]
  * [[software:emulators|Emulators]]

{{tag>software tru64}}