IBM, SCO, and Sequent Successfully Complete Initial Tests of Project Monterey Operating System

Strategic Insights -

IBM, SCO, and Sequent have successfully completed initial tests of the Project Monterey operating system running on the Merced simulator for the Intel IA-64 architecture. This milestone marks the first development achievement in the Project Monterey initiative, which aims to establish a high-volume, enterprise-class UNIX product line that runs across Intel IA-32 and IA-64 processors and IBM's Power processors in systems ranging from departmental to large data center servers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Project Monterey is a high-volume, enterprise-class, commercial UNIX operating system initiative launched in October 1998.
  • The participants in Project Monterey declared that in less than five months of development, the prototype for the UNIX operating system for IA-64 is up and running.
  • The testing, conducted at a development center in the United States, marked the first development milestone in Project Monterey.
  • The goal for Project Monterey is to establish a high-volume, enterprise-class UNIX product line that runs across Intel IA-32 and IA-64 processors and IBM's Power processors.
  • UNIX vendors conforming to the UNIX Developer's Guide-Programming Interfaces (UDG-PI) specifications are supported by the Project Monterey family.
  • As part of the Project Monterey initiative, a UNIX operating system is being developed for Intel's IA-64 architecture using IBM's AIX operating system's enterprise capabilities complemented with technology from SCO's UnixWare operating system and Sequent's enterprise technologies.
  • IBM will license AIX technology to SCO for inclusion in UnixWare and promote this offering to the IA-32 market.
  • Rajiv Samant, general manager, UNIX, IBM Corporation, stated, "Project Monterey continues to build significant momentum and commitment across the entire UNIX industry."
  • Integrated Roadmap to a IA-64 UNIX will offer customers and independent software providers a consistent environment using common APIs, operating system services, and Web-based systems management.
  • The comprehensive developer program will include porting guides and a common set of APIs for IA-32, IA-64, and IBM Power processor platforms.
  • Developers will also have access to porting centers worldwide, as well as ongoing developer events hosted by IBM, SCO, and Intel throughout the year.

Statistics:

  • Project Monterey has garnered support from nearly all major ISVs in the database, business intelligence, e-business, and enterprise resource planning business segments.
  • The number of participating ISVs is 27, including well-known companies such as BEA Systems, Compuware, Data Pro Accounting Software, Informix, Infospace, and Micro Focus.
  • In addition to ISVs, hardware suppliers like Acer, Bull, CETIA, IBM Netfinity, ICL, Sequent Computer Systems, and Unisys Computer Systems have also supported Project Monterey.
  • The UNIX Developer's Guide - Programming Interfaces (UDG-PI) is a collaborative effort to develop and publish guidelines for UNIX operating systems running on the Intel microprocessor architecture.

Sources:

  • Business Wire: "IBM, SCO and Sequent Complete Initial Tests of Project Monterey Operating System" (April 7, 1999)
  • IBM: "Project Monterey" (no date)
  • SCO: "Project Monterey" (no date)
  • Sequent: "Project Monterey" (no date)
  • Trademarks: IBM, AIX, and Netfinity are trademarks of IBM Corporation; SCO, the SCO logo, and UnixWare are registered trademarks of The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.; UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the US and other countries; Sequent is a registered trademark of Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.