Throw Me Some Names of Free UNIX OSes

I am currently working with a proprietary UNIX server at work, and I realize it's nothing compares to Linux distros that I use occassionally. I can't even go back to the previous commands that I typed with the UP arrow ( I even try CTRL and R), but the UNIX operating system is a completely different beast.

So, I would like you guys (preferably UNIX pros) to throw in some names of UNIX OS that I can actually download for free and play around with in VMs since I'm no expert on distinguishing the UNIX-based OS from the LINUX-based OS. I don't want to waste time messing with an OS that I thought was UNIX-based but turned out to be another Linux distro. Any OSes similar to BSD, Solaris, or AIX are desirable. Thanks.

Find more posts tagged with

Save $250 on 2025 certification boot camps from Infosec!

Book now with code EOY2025

Button

Comments

MrAgent

Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt that just the type of shell you are using? Are you using bash?

alan2308

There's a number of BSD derived OS's: FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, DragonflyBSD, and PC-BSD are general purpose operating systems, and there's also specialty systems that are BSD based such as FreeNAS. Here is a list of everything BSD. A minimalist system such as NetBSD is going to look and feel a lot like old school UNIX. Beneath the GUI, OSX has a lot in common with BSD as well.

Next, there's Solaris, OpenSolaris, and a growing number of distros based on OpenSolaris, such as SchilliX, Belenix, and Illumos. Unfortunately, most other systems that are thought of as a "Real UNIX" are closely tied to a particular workstation or server architecture.

And as far as various Linux distros not feeling enough like old school UNIX, simply changing from the Bash shell to a similar shell to what you're used to on UNIX will go a long way. Bash is the most commonly used shell among distros, but I can think of at least 10 others off of the top of my head that are out there and may be more to your liking.

hiddenknight821

MrAgent wrote: »

Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt that just the type of shell you are using? Are you using bash?

Okay. I overlooked that one. Preferably Korn shell. Thanks for the look out.

hiddenknight821

alan2308 wrote: »

There's a number of BSD derived OS's: FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, DragonflyBSD, and PC-BSD are general purpose operating systems, and there's also specialty systems that are BSD based such as FreeNAS. Here is a list of everything BSD. A minimalist system such as NetBSD is going to look and feel a lot like old school UNIX. Beneath the GUI, OSX has a lot in common with BSD as well.

Next, there's Solaris, OpenSolaris, and a growing number of distros based on OpenSolaris, such as SchilliX, Belenix, and Illumos. Unfortunately, most other systems that are thought of as a "Real UNIX" are closely tied to a particular workstation or server architecture.

And as far as various Linux distros not feeling enough like old school UNIX, simply changing from the Bash shell to a similar shell to what you're used to on UNIX will go a long way. Bash is the most commonly used shell among distros, but I can think of at least 10 others off of the top of my head that are out there and may be more to your liking.

Thanks for the inputs. I like your insights and what you have to offer. I was thinking about going with OpenSolaris myself, and I would have to use Korn shell and disable the GUI to force myself to practice, so I can understand the UNIX server at work is like. I was thinking the same thing when I realize this proprietary UNIX system I'm working with may only work on particular servers.

Everyone

OpenSolaris would probably be a good choice. Not sure if there's anything out there based on AIX or HP-UX. Those 2 and Solaris are the main Unix systems I've been exposed to.

Fugazi1000

Which proprietary UNIX do you use at work? AIX, HPUX, Solaris, SCO, Ultrix? They all stem from essentially two 'flavours' System V or Berkeley. Knowing which you are interested in will give you a clue as to which 'modern' incarnation to try and source.

As for the lack of 'up arrow' - configure your shell (whichever) for history. man is your friend!

tiersten

Look at this if you want to know how its all related.

UnixGuy

hiddenknight821 wrote: »

Thanks for the inputs. I like your insights and what you have to offer. I was thinking about going with OpenSolaris myself, and I would have to use Korn shell and disable the GUI to force myself to practice, so I can understand the UNIX server at work is like. I was thinking the same thing when I realize this proprietary UNIX system I'm working with may only work on particular servers.

OpenSolaris is a dead project now. OpenIndiana is the free version now...

OpenIndiana

hiddenknight821

tiersten wrote: »

Look at this if you want to know how its all related.

Thanks. This is pretty much what I need to see.

UnixGuy wrote: »

OpenSolaris is a dead project now. OpenIndiana is the free version now...

OpenIndiana

Thanks for catching that one. I didn't start anything yet, but I was about to jump in soon. That makes sense since Oracle recently bought Sun.