*BSD News Article 39027


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From: jack1@iexist.flw.att.com (55433-jack fijolek(hhall))
Subject: Re: Unix for PC
Message-ID: <D0Ex7E.2nv@ssbunews.ih.att.com>
Originator: jack1@gold
Sender: jack1@iexist (55433-jack fijolek(hhall))
Nntp-Posting-Host: gold.flw.att.com
Organization: AT&T
References: <3bvmo1$hgr@cascade.pnw.net> <3c0cir$5i2@engnews2.Eng.Sun.COM> <STEINAR.HAUG.94Dec6203939@runit.sintef.no>
Distribution: inet
Date: Tue, 6 Dec 1994 23:28:26 GMT
Lines: 75


I have UW1.X and am looking forward to UW2.0 but there are several advocates
of Solaris 2.4 who want to turn around our project. I have included a recent
endorsement of Solaris that was sent to me. I'm hoping some of the Novell folks
and other users can substantiate or refute some of these claims.

thanks,
Jack Fijolek

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Standards:
Both are based on UNIX SVR4, so apps should port readily between
the two. Solaris does seem to support a wider range of standards and
is more aggressive in incorporating new technologies.

Processor Portability:

Solaris runs on Intel, Power PC and SPARC.
UNIX Ware is only available on Intel.
UnixWare is definitely Intel only, but so are we.


Market Presence:
The initial release of Intel solaris got off to a slow start because it
did use the lateste technology. This has been fixed with the 2.4 release
and in the future all platfom versions of solaris will have the
same feature set. In the overall UNIX market, Solaris is the leading UNIX
derivitive. In the Intel UNIX market , SCO is the leader (not SVR4 based)
with UNIXware and IntelSolaris trailing behind. Press reports have
indicated that they expect Intel Solaris to gain momentum with the
2.4 release.

Features:
Solaris is a more feature rich platform than UNIX ware. 
The major advanatge of UNIX ware is its integration with NOvell's
Netware Presence in PC networking. If Novell network connectivity
is not a requirement, then the value of UNIX ware is greatly diminished.

Sales / Support:
UNIXware is distributed via resellers, where SOlaris is sold
directly by SunSOft. I suspect better support is facilitated
via the direct route. Our experience with Solairs support has been goo(but not great).

Applications:

There are over 3000 applications (tools, add-on devices, etc.) for
Sparc SOlaris. To date 700 of these have migrated to the Intel version.
It is expected that more will migrate with Solaris 2.4.

MicroSOft WIndows App Support:
Solaris includes a facility for running MS windoows apps in the UNIX
environment (called WABI). Other UNIX vensors are liscensing WABI, but I
dont know if UNIX ware is one of them.

Object Support:
If you are considering obect oriented development approaches. Soalris 
will be incorporating the NextStep object development environment which
is considered the leading object development environment.

Network Management / OA&M:
Solaris includes standard network management agents and applications as well
as easy to use interfaces for users and administrators.
UNIX ware does not offer as much in this regard.

Future:

Solaris is much more strategic to SUN than UNIXware is to Novell. Recent
history and future projections indicate that Solaris is more likely
to be evolved to support new/emerging technologies.

I`m continuing to research this to find a more detailed feature comparison.
There are other users of Intel Solaris on the campus which you may also
want to contact. I 'll pass along additional info as I get it. Please
feel free to call me to discuss.
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