Minix-vmd
Encyclopedia
Minix-vmd is a free software
("open source
") operating system
which was created from Minix
, and added some additional features such as virtual memory
and X Window System
support.
Minix-vmd = Minix
+ virtual memory
+ X11
Minix-vmd only ran on IA-32
and compatible microprocessor architectures
. It was written by many of the same authors who develop Minix, at the Vrije Universiteit
(VU) in Amsterdam
. The acronym reputedly stands for "VU Minix Distribution".
The operating system, according to its authors, was not meant to be a general purpose use OS and was created to meet specific needs they had rather than to be a general use OS like Linux
. It also does not share the educational goals of Minix
.
Nevertheless, the OS may have been of interest to others for various purposes, due to its small resource usage compared with other OSs and other factors. However, Minix 3
added Minix-vmd's functions into Minix itself.
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
("open source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
") operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
which was created from Minix
Minix
MINIX is a Unix-like computer operating system based on a microkernel architecture created by Andrew S. Tanenbaum for educational purposes; MINIX also inspired the creation of the Linux kernel....
, and added some additional features such as virtual memory
Virtual memory
In computing, virtual memory is a memory management technique developed for multitasking kernels. This technique virtualizes a computer architecture's various forms of computer data storage , allowing a program to be designed as though there is only one kind of memory, "virtual" memory, which...
and X Window System
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
support.
Minix-vmd = Minix
Minix
MINIX is a Unix-like computer operating system based on a microkernel architecture created by Andrew S. Tanenbaum for educational purposes; MINIX also inspired the creation of the Linux kernel....
+ virtual memory
Virtual memory
In computing, virtual memory is a memory management technique developed for multitasking kernels. This technique virtualizes a computer architecture's various forms of computer data storage , allowing a program to be designed as though there is only one kind of memory, "virtual" memory, which...
+ X11
Minix-vmd only ran on IA-32
IA-32
IA-32 , also known as x86-32, i386 or x86, is the CISC instruction-set architecture of Intel's most commercially successful microprocessors, and was first implemented in the Intel 80386 as a 32-bit extension of x86 architecture...
and compatible microprocessor architectures
Microprocessor
A microprocessor incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit on a single integrated circuit, or at most a few integrated circuits. It is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and...
. It was written by many of the same authors who develop Minix, at the Vrije Universiteit
Vrije Universiteit
The Vrije Universiteit is a university in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Dutch name is often abbreviated as VU and in English the university uses the name "VU University". The university is located on a compact urban campus in the southern part of Amsterdam in the Buitenveldert district...
(VU) in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. The acronym reputedly stands for "VU Minix Distribution".
The operating system, according to its authors, was not meant to be a general purpose use OS and was created to meet specific needs they had rather than to be a general use OS like Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
. It also does not share the educational goals of Minix
Minix
MINIX is a Unix-like computer operating system based on a microkernel architecture created by Andrew S. Tanenbaum for educational purposes; MINIX also inspired the creation of the Linux kernel....
.
Nevertheless, the OS may have been of interest to others for various purposes, due to its small resource usage compared with other OSs and other factors. However, Minix 3
MINIX 3
MINIX 3 is a project to create a small, highly reliable and functional Unix-like operating system. It is published under the BSD license.The main goal of the project is for the system to be fault-tolerant by detecting and repairing its own faults on the fly, without user intervention...
added Minix-vmd's functions into Minix itself.