View source for IBM AIX

{{short description|Series of Unix operating systems from IBM}}
{{Redirect|AIX}}

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{{Infobox OS
| name = AIX
| logo = IBM AIX logo (2021).svg
| logo size = 200px
| screenshot = IBM AIX screenshot.Png
| caption = Screenshot of IBM AIX version 7.3
| developer = [[IBM]]
| source_model = [[Closed source]]; formerly [[source available]]
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]] with [[loadable kernel module|dynamically loadable modules]]
| userland = [[POSIX]] / [[Single UNIX Specification|SUS]]
| supported_platforms = Current: [[Power ISA]]<br>Former: [[IBM ROMP]], [[IBM POWER instruction set architecture|IBM POWER]], [[PowerPC]], [[x86]] ([[IBM PS/2]]), [[System/370]], [[ESA/390]], [[IA-64]] ([[Itanium]])
| ui = [[KornShell]] (ksh88),<ref name="CannonTrent1999">{{cite book|author1=Casey Cannon|author2=Scott Trent|author3=Carolyn Jones|title=Simply AIX 4.3|year=1999|publisher=Prentice Hall PTR|isbn=978-0-13-021344-0|page=21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/aix/7.3?topic=s-sh-command|title=sh Command|website=IBM Documentation|access-date=January 21, 2023|archive-date=January 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122023227/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/aix/7.3?topic=s-sh-command|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Common Desktop Environment]],<br/>([[KDE Plasma Workspaces|Plasma Workspaces]] and [[GNOME]] optional)
| family = [[Unix]] ([[UNIX System V|System V]])
| released = {{Start date and age|1986|02}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://community.ibm.com/community/user/power/blogs/prenessa-lowery1/2021/01/26/35-years-of-innovation|title=35 Years of Innovation|author=Prenessa Lowery|publisher=IBM|date=2021-02-23|access-date=2021-02-24|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311182158/https://community.ibm.com/community/user/power/blogs/prenessa-lowery1/2021/01/26/35-years-of-innovation|url-status=live}}</ref>
| latest_release_version = 7.3 TL3<ref name="AIX73TL3">{{Cite web |date=November 2023 |title=AIX 7.3 Release Notes |url=https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/aix/7.3?topic=aix-release-notes |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=www.ibm.com |language=en-US |archive-date=July 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721143222/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/aix/7.3?topic=aix-release-notes |url-status=live }}</ref>
| latest_release_date = {{Release date and age|2024|12}}
| marketing_target = [[Workstation]], [[Server (computing)|Server]]
| programmed_in = [[C (programming language)|C]]
| updatemodel = 
| package_manager = 
| working_state = Current
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website = {{URL|ibm.com/products/aix}}
}}
{{History of IBM mainframe operating systems|unix}}
'''AIX''' (pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˌ|eɪ|.|aɪ|.|ˈ|ɛ|k|s|}} {{respell|ay|eye|EKS}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tehtable.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/unix-pronunciation|title=Unix Pronunciation|date=January 29, 2010|website=wordpress.com|access-date=November 18, 2011|archive-date=October 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028130600/http://tehtable.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/unix-pronunciation/|url-status=live}}</ref>) is a series of [[Proprietary software|proprietary]] [[Unix]] [[operating system]]s developed and sold by [[IBM]] since 1986. The name stands for "Advanced Interactive eXecutive". Current versions are designed to work with [[Power ISA]] based [[Server (computing)|server]] and [[workstation]] computers such as IBM's [[IBM Power Systems|Power]] line.

== Background ==
Originally released for the [[IBM RT PC]] [[Reduced instruction set computer|RISC]] [[workstation]] in 1986, AIX has supported a wide range of hardware platforms, including the IBM [[IBM RS/6000|RS/6000]] series and later [[IBM Power microprocessors|Power]] and [[PowerPC]]-based systems, [[IBM System i]], [[System/370]] mainframes, [[IBM PS/2|PS/2]] personal computers, and the [[Apple Network Server]]. Currently, it is supported on [[IBM Power Systems]] alongside [[IBM i]] and [[Linux]].

AIX is based on [[UNIX System V]] with [[4.3BSD]]-compatible extensions. It is certified to the UNIX 03 and UNIX V7 specifications of the [[Single UNIX Specification]], beginning with AIX versions 5.3 and 7.2 TL5, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/ibm.htm|title=IBM Corporation Registered Products by Product Standard|access-date=2022-01-23|website=Open Group|archive-date=2022-01-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123205634/https://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/ibm.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Older versions were certified to the UNIX 95 and UNIX 98 specifications.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030802103246/http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/|url=http://www.opengroup.org/openbrand/register/|title=The Open Brand - Register of Certified Products|date=2003-07-23|archive-date=2003-08-02|access-date=2022-01-23|website=Open Group}}</ref>

AIX was the first operating system to implement a [[journaling file system]]. IBM has continuously enhanced the software with features such as processor, disk, and network [[virtualization]], dynamic hardware resource allocation (including fractional processor units), and [[reliability engineering]] concepts derived from its [[mainframe computer|mainframe]] designs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/aix/library/au-unix40/#aixhistory|title=UNIX turns 40|access-date=2011-02-09|publisher=IBM Corporation|date=2011-02-09|archive-date=2011-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624231140/http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/aix/library/au-unix40/#aixhistory|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:IBM RS6000 AIX File Servers IBM.COM 1998.jpeg|thumb|[[IBM]] [[RS/6000]] AIX file servers used for ''IBM.com'' in the 1990s]]
[[File:IBM AIX 4 Login Prompt.jpeg|thumb|AIX Version 4 console login prompt]]

Unix began in the early 1970s at [[AT&T Corporation|AT&T]]'s [[Bell Labs]] research center, running on [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]] [[minicomputer]]s. By 1976, the operating system was used in various academic institutions, including [[Princeton University]], where Tom Lyon and others ported it to the [[IBM System/370|S/370]] to run as a guest OS under [[VM (operating system)|VM/370]].<ref name="johnsonport">{{cite journal |title=Portability of C Programs and the UNIX System |first1=Stephen C. |last1=Johnson |author-link1=Stephen C. Johnson |first2=Dennis M. |last2=Ritchie |author-link2=Dennis Ritchie |journal=Bell System Technical Journal |volume=57 |issue=6 |year=1978 |pages=2021–2048 |url=https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/portpap.pdf |doi=10.1002/j.1538-7305.1978.tb02141.x |s2cid=17510065 |access-date=August 4, 2015 |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218212919/https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/portpap.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This port became [[Amdahl UTS]] from IBM's mainframe rival,<ref>{{cite web |first=Lars |last=Poulsen |title=IBM 360/370/3090/390 |date=2001 |url=http://www.beagle-ears.com/lars/engineer/comphist/ibm360.htm |access-date=November 4, 2015 |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103142809/http://www.beagle-ears.com/lars/engineer/comphist/ibm360.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="UTS">{{cite web |url=http://www.telecompaper.com/news/amdahl-launches-uts-mainframe-unix-version--3646 |title=Amdahl launches UTS mainframe Unix |year=1993 |access-date=November 4, 2015 |archive-date=April 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418154402/http://www.telecompaper.com/news/amdahl-launches-uts-mainframe-unix-version--3646 |url-status=live }}</ref> which that company increasingly prioritized from the late 1980s.<ref name="chinleong19871102">{{Cite magazine |last=Leong |first=Kathy Chin |date=1987-11-02 |title=Amdahl kills Aspen plan, favors Unix |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mUSIMiurpfYC&pg=PP1 |access-date=2025-06-08 |magazine=Computerworld |pages=1,10 |volume=XXI |issue=44}}</ref>

IBM's involvement with Unix began in 1979 when it assisted Bell Labs in porting Unix to the S/370 platform to be used as a [[Software build|build host]] for the [[5ESS switch]]'s software. During this process, IBM made modifications to the [[TSS/370]] Resident Supervisor to better support Unix.<ref name="att-s370-unix">{{cite journal |title=A UNIX System Implementation for System/370 |first1=W. A. |last1=Felton |first2=G. L. |last2=Miller |first3=J. M. |last3=Milner |journal=AT&T Bell Laboratories Technical Journal |year=1984 |volume=63 |issue=8 |url=https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/otherports/ibm.pdf |access-date=September 1, 2015 |archive-date=June 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611114653/https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/otherports/ibm.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1984, IBM introduced its own Unix variant for the S/370 platform called VM/IX, developed by [[Interactive Systems Corporation]] (ISC) using Unix System III. However, VM/IX was only available as a PRPQ (Programming Request for Price Quotation) and was not a General Availability product.

By 1985 most computer companies offered Unix alongside their proprietary operating systems.<ref name="desmond19850520">{{Cite magazine |last=Desmond |first=John |date=1985-05-20 |title=Prime adds Unix environment for 50 series users |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygHfUXZWXlcC&pg=PA7 |access-date=2025-06-07 |magazine=Computerworld |page=7 |volume=XIX |issue=20}}</ref> Although an industry analyst that year described IBM as not enthusiastic about Unix,<ref name="sullivan19850520">{{Cite magazine |last=Sullivan |first=Kathleen |date=1985-05-20 |title=Unix needs push to win in corporate micro market |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygHfUXZWXlcC&pg=PA42 |access-date=2025-06-07 |magazine=Computerworld |page=42 |volume=XIX |issue=20}}</ref> the company replaced VM/IX in 1985 with IBM IX/370, a fully supported product based on AT&T's Unix System V, intended to compete against UTS<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Computerworld |date=February 18, 1985 |title=Users: New life for VM |page=11 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iwX8vVdMAckC&pg=PA11 |first=John |last=Gallant |access-date=February 3, 2015 |archive-date=May 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517120151/https://books.google.com/books?id=iwX8vVdMAckC&pg=PA11 |url-status=live }}</ref> and also developed by ISC.<ref name="babcock19860127">{{Cite magazine |last=Babcock |first=Charles |date=1986-01-27 |title=IBM unveils RISC system |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=33QfOHT69aMC&pg=PA1 |access-date=2025-05-29 |magazine=Computerworld |pages=1,8 |volume=XX |issue=4}}</ref>

ISC also developed AIX for the [[IBM RT PC]] workstation, introduced in January 1986, based on [[UNIX System V]] Releases 1 and 2, and incorporating source code from 4.2 and 4.3 [[Berkeley Standard Distribution|BSD]] UNIX.{{r|babcock19860127}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://notes.technologists.com/notes/2017/03/08/lets-start-at-the-very-beginning-801-romp-rtpc-aix-versions/ |title=Let's start at the very beginning… 801, ROMP, RT/PC, AIX versions |website=Notes.technologists.com |date=March 8, 2017 |access-date=November 5, 2024 }}</ref> AIX Version 2 followed in 1987 for the RT PC.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://technologists.com/sauer/Advanced%20Interactive%20Executive%20(AIX)%20Operating%20System%20Overview.pdf |title=Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX) Operating System Overview |journal=IBM Systems Journal |volume=26 |issue=4 |year=1987 |pages=326–345 |doi=10.1147/sj.264.0326 |archive-date=January 18, 2025 |access-date=November 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118004503/https://technologists.com/sauer/Advanced%20Interactive%20Executive%20%28AIX%29%20Operating%20System%20Overview.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> AIX was also available for the IBM PC AT and IBM PC XT/286.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

In 1990, AIX Version 3 was released for the new [[IBM POWER architecture|POWER]]-based [[IBM RS/6000|RS/6000]] platform.<ref>{{cite book |last=Misra |first=Mamata |title=IBM RISC System/6000 Technology |publisher=IBM |year=1990 }}</ref> Observers said that year that IBM had officially approved Unix, with the company willing to let its proprietary [[AS/400]] and Unix-based RS/6000 compete against each other in the [[midrange system]] market.<ref name="cortese19900226">{{Cite magazine |last=Cortese |first=Amy |date=1990-02-26 |title=Unix elevated to IBM mainstream status |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qNmKXArAnpAC&pg=PA6 |access-date=2025-06-28 |magazine=Computerworld |page=62 |volume=XXIV |issue=9}}</ref> AIX was the primary operating system for the RS/6000 series, which was later renamed ''[[IBM eServer]] pSeries'', ''[[IBM System p]]'', and finally ''[[IBM Power Systems]]''.

AIX Version 4, introduced in 1994, added [[symmetric multiprocessing]] and evolved through the 1990s, culminating with AIX 4.3.3 in 1999. A modified version of Version 4.1 was also used as the standard OS for the [[Apple Network Server]] line by [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]].

In the late 1990s, under [[Project Monterey]], IBM and the [[Santa Cruz Operation]] attempted to integrate AIX and [[UnixWare]] into a multiplatform Unix for [[Intel]] [[Itanium|IA-64]] architecture. The project was discontinued in 2002 after limited commercial success.<ref name="Jury verdict 2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20100330152829622 |title=Novell Wins Again - Jury Rules Copyrights Didn't Go to SCO |access-date=March 30, 2010 |date=March 30, 2010 |archive-date=May 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505010433/http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20100330152829622 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>

In 2003, the [[SCO Group]] filed a lawsuit against IBM, alleging misappropriation of [[UNIX System V]] source code in AIX. The case was resolved in 2010 when a jury ruled that [[Novell]] owned the rights to Unix, not SCO.<ref name="Jury verdict 2010" />

[[File:AIX logo old.svg|thumb|upright=0.75|Old logo]]

AIX 6 was announced in May 2007 and became generally available on November 9, 2007. Key features included [[role-based access control]], [[workload partitions]], and [[Live Partition Mobility]].

AIX 7.1 was released in September 2010 with enhancements such as Cluster Aware AIX and support for large-scale memory and real-time application requirements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/power/software/aix/ |title=IBM AIX 7 Preview |publisher=IBM Corporation |date=April 16, 2010 |access-date=January 12, 2009 |archive-date=August 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805140016/http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/power/software/aix/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Supported hardware platforms==

===IBM RT PC===
The original AIX (sometimes called '''AIX/RT''') was developed for the IBM RT PC workstation by IBM in conjunction with ISC,{{r|babcock19860127}} which had previously ported [[UNIX System III]] to the [[IBM PC]] for IBM as [[PC/IX]].<ref name="CW86"/> According to its developers, the original AIX source consists of one million lines of code.{{r|babcock19860127}} Installation media consists of eight [[Floppy disk|1.2M floppy disk]]s. The RT was based on the [[IBM ROMP]] [[microprocessor]], the first commercial [[RISC]] chip, based on [[IBM Research]]'s [[IBM 801]]).

One of the novel aspects of the RT design is the use of a [[microkernel]], called Virtual Resource Manager (VRM).  The keyboard, mouse, display, disk drives and network are all controlled by a microkernel.  One can "hotkey" from one operating system to the next using the Alt-Tab key combination. Each OS in turn gets possession of the keyboard, mouse and display. Besides AIX v2, the [[PICK OS]] also includes this microkernel.

Much of the AIX v2 kernel was written in the [[PL.8]] programming language, which proved troublesome during the migration to AIX v3.{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}}  AIX v2 includes full [[TCP/IP]] networking, as well as [[Systems Network Architecture|SNA]] and two networking file systems: [[Network File System (protocol)|NFS]], licensed from [[Sun Microsystems]], and [[Distributed Services]] (DS).  DS has the distinction of being built on top of SNA, and thereby being fully compatible with DS on {{clarify|text=IBM mainframe systems|reason=which operating systems?|date=October 2021}} and on midrange systems running [[OS/400]] through [[IBM i]].  For the graphical user interfaces, AIX v2 comes with the X10R3 and later the X10R4 and X11 versions of the [[X Window System]] from MIT, with the [[Xaw|Athena widget set]]. Compilers for [[Fortran]] and [[C (programming language)|C]] were available.

===IBM PS/2 series===
[[File:Aix-1.3-ps2.png|thumb|AIX PS/2 1.3 console login|alt=AIX PS/2 1.3 console login]]

'''AIX PS/2''' (also known as '''AIX/386''') was developed by [[Locus Computing Corporation]] under contract to IBM.<ref name="CW86">{{cite journal|author=Patricia Keefe|title=IBM, Locus to co-develop PS/2 AIX system|journal=Computerworld: The Newsweekly of Information Systems Management|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fGXpro99fIsC&pg=PT7|publisher=Computerworld|page=8|date=July 6, 1986|issn=0010-4841|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-date=February 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227075231/https://books.google.com/books?id=fGXpro99fIsC&pg=PT7|url-status=live}}</ref> AIX PS/2, first released in October 1988,<ref>{{cite web 
|url=https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUSZP87-0422 
|title=IBM Advanced Interactive Executive AIX PS/2 Operating System And Related Licensed Programs - 5713-AEQ Part # 11F8182 IBM AIX PS/2 Base Operating System 
|type=Announcement letter 
|publisher=IBM.com 
|date=November 3, 1987 
|access-date=January 19, 2025 
|archive-date=March 19, 2025 
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319041645/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUSZP87-0422 
|url-status=live 
}}</ref> runs on [[IBM PS/2]] personal computers with [[Intel 386]] and compatible processors.

[[File:Aix-1.3-ps2-dt.png|thumb|AIX PS/2 1.3 AIXwindows Desktop|alt=AIX PS/2 1.3 AIXwindows Desktop]]

The product was announced in September 1988 with a baseline tag price of $595, although some utilities, such as [[UUCP]], were included in a separate Extension package priced at $250. [[nroff]] and [[troff]] for AIX were also sold separately in a Text Formatting System package priced at $200. The [[TCP/IP]] stack for AIX PS/2 retailed for another $300. The [[X Window System]] package was priced at $195, and has a graphical environment called the '''AIXwindows Desktop''', based on [[IXI Limited|IXI's]] [[X.desktop]].<ref>{{cite magazine|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Software with a foreign flair|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cAmo4wSwQJ0C&q=aix+ps/2+ixi&pg=PP7|magazine=Computerworld|publisher=IDG Enterprise|date=1990-03-26|access-date=2020-09-19|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319212745/https://books.google.com/books?id=cAmo4wSwQJ0C&q=aix+ps%2F2+ixi&pg=PP7|url-status=live}}</ref> The C and FORTRAN compilers each had a price tag of $275. Locus also made available their [[DOS Merge]] virtual machine environment for AIX, which can run MS DOS 3.3 applications inside AIX; DOS Merge was sold separately for another $250.<ref>{{cite journal|title=IBM Announces Broad Range of Unix-Related Tools, Products|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bj8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8|date=November 16, 1987|journal=InfoWorld|page=8|issn=0199-6649|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-date=February 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227035529/https://books.google.com/books?id=Bj8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8|url-status=live}}</ref> IBM also offered a $150 AIX PS/2 DOS Server Program, which provided [[file server]] and [[print server]] services for client computers running PC DOS 3.3.<ref name="Enterprise1988">{{cite journal|title=AIX for PS/2|journal=Computerworld: The Newsweekly of Information Systems Management|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jBT4fczNvWwC&pg=PT54|date=February 22, 1988|publisher=Computerworld|page=55|issn=0010-4841|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-date=February 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227205709/https://books.google.com/books?id=jBT4fczNvWwC&pg=PT54|url-status=live}}</ref>

The last version of PS/2 AIX is 1.3. It was released in 1992 and announced to add support for non-IBM (non-microchannel) computers as well.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Cate Corcoran|title=IBM announces increased support for Unix on PCs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=klEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16|date=September 28, 1992|journal=InfoWorld|pages=16|issn=0199-6649|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-date=February 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227081052/https://books.google.com/books?id=klEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16|url-status=live}}</ref> Support for PS/2 AIX ended in March 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS294-770|title=Withdrawal: IBM AIX PS/2 Operating System Version 1.3 and Related Licensed Programs|website=[[IBM]]|date=December 6, 1994|access-date=January 20, 2025|archive-date=February 11, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211191827/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS294-770|url-status=live}}</ref>

==={{anchor|AIX/370|AIX/ESA|AIX/390}}IBM mainframes===
In 1988, IBM announced '''AIX/370''',<ref name=ENUS288-130>{{cite web
 |title        = Advanced Interactive Executive/370 (AIX (TM)/370)
 |id           = 288-130
 |date         = March 15, 1988
 |url          = https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS288-130
 |type         = Announcement letter
 |publisher    = [[IBM]]
 |access-date  = January 19, 2025
 |archive-date = February 11, 2025
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20250211193613/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS288-130
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> also developed by Locus. AIX/370 was IBM's fourth attempt to offer [[Unix-like]] functionality for their mainframe line, specifically the [[IBM System/370|System/370]] (the prior versions were a [[TSS (operating system)|TSS/370]]-based Unix system developed jointly with AT&T c.1980,<ref name="att-s370-unix"/> a [[VM/370]]-based system named '''VM/IX''' developed jointly with ISC c.1984,{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} and a [[VM/370]]-based version of TSS/370{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} named '''IX/370''' which was upgraded to be compatible with [[UNIX System V]]{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}). AIX/370 was released in 1990 with functional equivalence to System V Release 2 and 4.3BSD as well as IBM enhancements.  With the introduction of the [[IBM System/390|ESA/390]] architecture, AIX/370 was replaced by '''AIX/ESA'''<ref name=ENUS292-183>{{cite web
 |title        = IBM AIX/ESA Version 2 Release 1
 |id           = 292-183
 |date         = March 31, 1992
 |url          = https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS292-183
 |type         = Announcement letter
 |publisher    = IBM
 |access-date  = January 19, 2025
 |archive-date = February 12, 2025
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20250212043302/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS292-183
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> in 1991 based on [[OSF/1]], and also runs on the [[IBM System/390|System/390]] platform. Unlike AIX/370, AIX/ESA runs both natively as the host operating system, and as a guest under [[VM (operating system)|VM]].  AIX/ESA, while technically advanced, had little commercial success, partially because{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} UNIX functionality was added as an option to the existing mainframe operating system, [[MVS]], as [[MVS/ESA|MVS/ESA SP Version 4 Release 3 OpenEdition]]<ref>{{citation
 |title        = OpenEdition(TM) services Available on MVS/ESA SP Version 4 Release 3 (JES2 and JES3)
 |id           = ZP94-0246
 |date         = March 8, 1994
 |url          = https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUSZP94-0246
 |type         = Announcement letter
 |publisher    = IBM
 |access-date  = January 19, 2025
 |archive-date = February 19, 2025
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20250219112219/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUSZP94-0246
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> in 1994, and continued as an integral part of MVS/ESA SP Version 5, OS/390 and z/OS, with the name eventually changing from ''OpenEdition'' to ''Unix System Services''. IBM also provided OpenEdition in VM/ESA Version 2<ref>{{cite web
 |title        = Availability: VM/ESA Version 2 Release 1.0 with OpenEdition for VM/ESA
 |id           = 295-240
 |date         = June 12, 1995
 |url          = https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS295-240
 |type         = Announcement letter
 |publisher    = IBM
 |access-date  = January 19, 2025
 |archive-date = January 22, 2025
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20250122193251/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS295-240
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> through z/VM.
<!-- Blaxthos copyedit anchor, will return soon -->

===IA-64 systems===
As part of [[Project Monterey]], IBM released a [[beta test]] version of AIX 5L for the IA-64 ([[Itanium]]) architecture in 2001, but this never became an official product due to lack of interest.<ref name="ibm-mail-project-monterey">{{cite web
| url = http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=2005082506163768
| title = 2002 IBM Internal Email on Project Monterey – "No One Wants It"
| access-date = May 20, 2007
| last = Jones
| first = Pamela
| author-link = Pamela Jones
| date = August 25, 2005
| work = [[Groklaw]]
| archive-date = May 5, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100505065447/http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=2005082506163768
| url-status = usurped
}}</ref>

===Apple Network Servers===
The [[Apple Network Server]] (ANS) systems are PowerPC-based systems designed by [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]] to have numerous high-end features that contemporary standard Apple hardware does not have, including swappable hard drives, redundant power supplies, and external monitoring capability. These systems are more or less based on the [[Power Macintosh]] hardware available at the time but designed to use AIX (versions 4.1.4 or 4.1.5) as their native operating system in a specialized version specific to the ANS called AIX for Apple Network Servers.

AIX is only compatible with the Network Servers and was not ported to standard Power Macintosh hardware. It should not be confused with [[A/UX]], Apple's earlier version of Unix for [[Motorola 68000 series|68k]]-based [[Mac (computer)|Macintoshes]].

===POWER ISA/PowerPC/Power ISA-based systems===
[[File:IBM RS6000 AIX Servers IBM.COM 1998 (1).jpeg|thumb|AIX [[RS/6000]] [[network server|servers]] running ''IBM.com'' in early 1998]]
[[File:IBM RS6000 AIX Servers IBM.COM 1998 (2).jpeg|thumb|AIX [[RS/6000]] [[network server|servers]] running ''IBM.com'' in early 1998]]

The release of AIX version 3 (sometimes called '''AIX/6000''') coincided with the announcement of the first [[POWER1]]-based IBM [[IBM RS/6000|RS/6000]] models in 1990.

AIX v3 innovated in several ways on the software side. It is the first operating system to introduce the idea of a [[journaling file system]], [[JFS (file system)|JFS]], which allows for fast boot times by avoiding the need to ensure the consistency of the file systems on disks (see [[fsck]]) on every reboot. Another innovation is [[shared library|shared libraries]] which avoid the need for static linking from an application to the libraries it used. The resulting smaller binaries use less of the hardware RAM to run, and used less disk space to install. Besides improving performance, executable binaries can be in the tens of [[kilobyte]]s instead of a megabyte for an executable statically linked to the [[C standard library|C library]]. AIX v3 also scrapped the microkernel of AIX v2, a contentious move that resulted in v3 containing no [[PL.8]] code and being somewhat more "pure" than v2.

Other notable subsystems include:

* [[IRIS GL]], a 3D rendering library, the progenitor of [[OpenGL]]. IRIS GL was licensed by IBM from [[Silicon Graphics|SGI]] in 1987, a small company, which had sold only a few thousand machines at the time. SGI also provided the low-end graphics card for the RS/6000, capable of drawing 20,000 [[Gouraud shading|gouraud-shaded]] triangles per second. The high-end graphics card was designed by IBM, a follow-on to the mainframe-attached [[IBM 5080]], capable of rendering 990,000 vectors per second.
* [[PHIGS]], another [[3D rendering API]], popular in automotive CAD/CAM circles, and at the core of [[CATIA]].
* Full implementation of version 11 of the X Window System, together with [[Motif (software)|Motif]] as the recommended widget toolkit and window manager.
* Network file systems: [[Network File System|NFS]] from [[Sun Microsystems|Sun]]; AFS, the [[Andrew File System]]; and DFS, the [[DCE Distributed File System|Distributed File System]].
* NCS, the [[Network Computing System]], licensed from [[Apollo Computer]] (later acquired by [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]]).
* [[Display PostScript|DPS]] on-screen display system as an alternative if the X11+Motif combination failed in the marketplace. However, it is highly proprietary, supported only by Sun, [[NeXT]], and IBM. This, and lack of 3D capability, caused it to fail in the marketplace versus X11+Motif and its lack of 3D capability.

In addition, AIX applications can run in the [[IBM i#PASE|PASE]] subsystem under [[IBM i]].

== Source code ==
IBM made the AIX for RS/6000 source code available to customers for a fee; in 1991, IBM customers could order the AIX 3.0 source code for a one-time charge of US$60,000;<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1991-07-02 |title=IBM AIX Version 3 Source Code For RISC System/6000 |type=Announcement letter |url=https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS291-335 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.ibm.com |language=en-US |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211211610/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS291-335 |url-status=live }}</ref> subsequently, IBM released the AIX 3.1 source code in 1992,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1992-01-21 |title=AIX Version 3.1 Source Code for RISC System/6000 |type=Announcement letter |url=https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUSZP92-0252 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.ibm.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and AIX 3.2 in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1993-02-02 |title=AIX Version 3.2 Source Code for RISC System/6000 |type=Announcement letter |url=https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUSZP93-0158 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.ibm.com |language=en-US |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211181637/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUSZP93-0158 |url-status=live }}</ref> These source code distributions exclude certain files (authored by third-parties) which IBM did not have rights to redistribute, and also exclude layered products such as the MS-DOS emulator and the C compiler. To license the AIX source code the customer first had to procure source code license agreements with AT&T and the [[University of California, Berkeley]].<ref name=":0" />

==Versions==
[[File:IBM AIX 53.PNG|thumb|alt=AIX 5.3 welcome banner|The default login banner for AIX 5.3 on PowerPC]]

===POWER/PowerPC/Power ISA releases===
<!-- Template:Version - for version & release history. Documentation and examples: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Version -->
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left:1em; margin-right:0"
|-
! Version<ref>[https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/NOPMKXDK IBM AIX: An executive guide to the strategy and roadmap for the AIX Operating Systemfor IBM Power Systems, 2024]</ref> !! Release date<ref name=support-lifecycle>{{cite web|url=https://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1012517|title=AIX support lifecycle information|date=November 12, 2020|publisher=IBM}}</ref> !! End of support date<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/support/lifecycle/search?q=AIX%20Standard%20Edition|title=AIX Software lifecycle|date=July 26, 2018|publisher=IBM}}</ref>
|-
| {{Version |o |5L 5.1}}
| {{Release date and age|2001|05|04}}<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates">{{cite web|url=http://www-01.ibm.com/software/support/aix/lifecycle/index.html|title=AIX software lifecycle dates|publisher=IBM|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427021255/http://www-01.ibm.com/software/support/aix/lifecycle/index.html|archive-date=April 27, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| {{End date and age|2006|04|01}}<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" />
|-
| {{Version |o |5L 5.2}}
| {{Release date and age|2002|10|18}}<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" />
| {{End date and age|2009|04|30}}<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" />
|-
| {{Version |o |5L 5.3}}
| {{Release date and age|2004|08|13}}<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" />
| {{End date and age|2012|04|30}}<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" />
|-
| {{Version |o |6.1}}
| {{Release date and age|2007|11|09}}<ref name="anouncement-letter-207-271">{{cite web
 |url          = https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS207-271
 |title        = IBM AIX Version 6.1 provides leadership virtualization, security features, availability, and management capabilities
 |id           = 207-271
 |type         = Announcement letter
 |publisher    = IBM.com
 |date         = November 6, 2007
 |access-date  = January 19, 2025
 |archive-date = February 11, 2025
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20250211173255/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS207-271
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>
| {{End date and age|2017|04|30}}<ref name="aix=6.1-withdrawal">{{cite web
 |url          = https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS915-204
 |title        = Software withdrawal and support discontinuance: IBM AIX 6, IBM System Director for Power Systems and associated licensed programs
 |id           = 915-204
 |type         = Announcement letter
 |publisher    = IBM
 |date         = September 29, 2015
 |access-date  = January 19, 2025
 |archive-date = February 11, 2025
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20250211105908/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS915-204
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>
|-
| {{Version |o |7.1}}
| {{Release date and age|2010|09|10}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS210-200|title=IBM AIX V7.1 and IBM PowerVM V2.2 offer new functions for virtualization, security, reliability, and system management for mission-critical, core business applications|date=August 17, 2010|publisher=IBM|access-date=January 21, 2023|archive-date=January 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121235838/https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS210-200|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{End date and age|2023|04|30}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS921-107|title=Software withdrawal and support discontinuance: IBM AIX 7.1 Standard edition, IBM AIX 7.1 Enterprise editions 1.5, and IBM AIX Dynamic System Optimizer 1.1|date=October 19, 2021|publisher=IBM|access-date=January 21, 2023|archive-date=January 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121235838/https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS921-107|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{Version |co |7.2}}
| {{Release date and age|2015|12|04}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS215-393|title=IBM AIX 7.2 delivers the reliability, availability, performance, and security needed to be successful in the new global economy|date=October 5, 2015|publisher=IBM|access-date=January 21, 2023|archive-date=January 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121235839/https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS215-393|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{TBA}}
|-
| {{Version |c |7.3}}
| {{Release date and age|2021|12|10}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS221-328|title=IBM delivers enhanced capabilities with IBM AIX 7.3 Standard Edition|date=October 19, 2021|publisher=IBM|access-date=January 21, 2023|archive-date=January 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121235833/https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS221-328|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{TBA}}
|-
| colspan="3" | <small>{{Version |l |show=111100}}</small>
|}

* AIX V7.3, December 10, 2021<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/aix-73-standard-edition
 |title        = IBM delivers enhanced capabilities with IBM AIX 7.3 Standard Edition
 |id           = 221-328
 |type         = Announcement letter
 |publisher    = IBM
 |date         = October 19, 2021
 |access-date  = January 19, 2025
}}</ref>
** Requires [[POWER8]] or newer CPUs
* AIX V7.2, October 5, 2015<ref name="IBM AIX 7.2 Announcement Letter">{{cite web |url=https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS215-393 |title=IBM AIX 7.2 delivers the reliability, availability, performance, and security needed to be successful in the new global economy |type=Announcement letter |publisher=IBM.com |date=October 5, 2015 |access-date=January 19, 2025 |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211133552/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS215-393 |url-status=live }}</ref>
** Live update for Interim Fixes, Service Packs and Technology Levels{{snd}} replaces the entire AIX kernel without impacting applications
** Flash based filesystem caching
** Cluster Aware AIX automation with repository replacement mechanism
** SRIOV-backed VNIC, or dedicated VNIC virtualized network adapter support 
** RDSv3 over [[RDMA over Converged Ethernet|RoCE]] adds support of the Oracle RDSv3 protocol over the Mellanox Connect RoCE adapters
** Supports secure boot on [[POWER9]] systems.<ref>{{cite book|title=IBM AIX Enhancements and Modernization|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ni3KDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA66|date=February 4, 2020|publisher=IBM Redbooks|author=Scott Vetter, Navdeep Dhaliwal, Ahmed Mashhour, Armin Röll, Liviu Rosca|chapter=Chapter 2.2 AIX Secure boot|isbn=978-0738458281|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412234349/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ni3KDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA66|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Requires [[POWER7]] or newer CPUs
* AIX V7.1, September 10, 2010<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUSAP10-0184
 |title        = BM AIX V7.1 and IBM PowerVM V2.2 offer new functions for virtualization, security, reliability, and system management for mission-critical, core business applications
 |id           = AP10-0184
 |type         = Announcement letter
 |publisher    = IBM
 |date         = August 17, 2010
 |access-date  = January 19, 2025
}}</ref>
** Support for 256 cores / 1024 threads in a single LPAR
** The ability to run AIX V5.2 or V5.3 inside of a Workload Partition
** An XML profile based system configuration management utility
** Support for export of Fibre Channel adapters to WPARs
** VIOS disk support in a WPAR
** Cluster Aware AIX
** AIX Event infrastructure
** Role-based access control (RBAC) with domain support for multi-tenant environments
** Requires [[POWER4]] or newer CPUs
* AIX V6.1, November 9, 2007<ref name="anouncement-letter-207-271" />
** [[Workload Partitions]] (WPARs) [[operating system-level virtualization]]
** [[Live Application Mobility]]
** [[Live Partition Mobility]]
** Security
*** Role Based Access Control [[RBAC]]
*** [[AIX Security Expert]]{{snd}} a system and network security hardening tool
*** Encrypting [[JFS2]] filesystem
*** [[Trusted AIX]]
*** [[Trusted Execution]]
** Integrated Electronic Service Agent for auto error reporting
** Concurrent Kernel Maintenance
** Kernel exploitation of [[POWER6]] storage keys
** [[ProbeVue]] dynamic tracing
** Systems Director Console for AIX
** Integrated [[Snapshot (computer storage)|filesystem snapshot]]
** Requires [[POWER4]] or newer CPUs
** AIX 6 withdrawn from Marketing effective April 2016 and from Support effective April 2017<ref name="aix=6.1-withdrawal" />
* AIX 5L 5.3,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS204-155|title=IBM AIX 5L for POWER V5.3 offers new levels of innovative and self-management technologies on advanced POWER5 systems|date=July 13, 2004|publisher=IBM|access-date=January 21, 2023|archive-date=January 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121235837/https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS204-155|url-status=live}}</ref> August 13, 2004,<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" /> end of support April 30, 2012<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" />
** [[Network File System (protocol)|NFS]] Version 4
** Advanced Accounting
** Virtual [[SCSI]]
** Virtual [[Ethernet]]
** Exploitation of [[Simultaneous multithreading]] (SMT)
** [[Micro-Partitioning]] enablement
** POWER5 exploitation
** [[IBM Journaled File System 2 (JFS2)|JFS2]] quotas
** Ability to shrink a [[JFS2]] filesystem
** [[Kernel scheduler]] has been enhanced to dynamically increase and decrease the use of virtual processors.
* AIX 5L 5.2,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS202-270|title=IBM AIX 5L for POWER V5.2 Delivers Industry-Leading Resource Management for Commercial and Enterprise Servers|date=October 8, 2002|publisher=IBM|access-date=January 21, 2023|archive-date=January 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121235837/https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS202-270|url-status=live}}</ref> October 18, 2002,<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" /> end of support April 30, 2009<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" />
** Ability to run on the IBM [[BladeCenter]] JS20 with the [[PowerPC 970]]
** Minimum level required for POWER5 hardware
** [[multipath I/O|MPIO]] for [[Fibre Channel]] disks
** [[iSCSI]] Initiator software
** Participation in [[Dynamic Logical Partitioning|Dynamic LPAR]]
** [[Concurrent I/O]] (CIO) feature introduced for [[JFS2]] released in Maintenance Level 01 in May 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibm.com/servers/aix/whitepapers/db_perf_aix.pdf|title=Power Systems – IBM|date=n.d.|website=ibm.com|access-date=April 14, 2008|archive-date=April 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412234249/http://www.ibm.com/it-infrastructure/servers|url-status=live}}</ref>
* AIX 5L 5.1,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS201-090|title=IBM AIX 5L Version 5.1 Advanced UNIX Operating System with Linux Affinity Delivers the Most Powerful and Flexible Choice for e-business and Enterprise Servers|date=April 17, 2001|publisher=IBM|access-date=January 21, 2023|archive-date=January 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121235838/https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS201-090|url-status=live}}</ref> May 4, 2001,<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" /> end of support April 1, 2006<ref name="archived-aix-5-dates" />
** Ability to run on an [[IA-64]] architecture processor, although this never went beyond beta.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unigroup.org/unigroup-0404.html|title=Unigroup Next Meeting Announcement|access-date=January 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829033329/http://www.unigroup.org/unigroup-0404.html|archive-date=August 29, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Minimum level required for POWER4 hardware and the last release that worked on the [[Micro Channel architecture]]
** 64-bit [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]], installed but not activated by default
** JFS2
** Ability to run in a [[LPAR|Logical Partition]] on [[POWER4]]
** The L stands for [[Linux]] affinity
** [[Trusted Computing Base]] (TCB)
** Support for mirroring with striping
[[Image:IBM WSM on AIX53.jpg|thumb|250 px|WSM running on a Windows System used to manage an AIX cluster]]
* {{visible anchor|AIX 4.3.3}}, September 17, 1999<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=IBM AIX from Strength to Strength |url=https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/system/files/inline-files/IBM%20AIX%20from%20Strength%20to%20Strength%202020%2013%20July%202020.pdf |access-date=December 12, 2024 |website=IBM |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211114224/https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/system/files/inline-files/IBM%20AIX%20from%20Strength%20to%20Strength%202020%2013%20July%202020.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
** Online [[backup]] function
** [[Workload Manager]] (WLM)
** [[Web-based System Manager]] (WSM)&nbsp;– GUI management software for administering AIX hosts on RS/6000 systems<ref>{{cite magazine | last=Pace | first=Mark | date=November 29, 1999 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s04EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37 | title=AIX 4.3.3 ups the scalability ante | work=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=21 | issue=48 | page=37 | via=Google Books}}</ref>
** Introduction of topas utility{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}
* AIX 4.3.2, October 23, 1998<ref name=":2" />
* AIX 4.3.1, April 24, 1998<ref name=":2" />
** First [[Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria|TCSEC security evaluation]], completed December 18, 1998<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/2305.wss|title=IBM's AIX is First Operating System in a 64-bit Environment to Receive C2 Security Certification|date=January 18, 1999|website=www-03.ibm.com|access-date=January 12, 2015|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220524/http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/2305.wss|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* AIX 4.3, October 31, 1997<ref name=":2" />
** Ability to run on 64-bit [[CPU design|architecture]] CPUs
** [[IPv6]]
* AIX 4.2.1, April 25, 1997<ref name=":2" />
** [[Network File System (protocol)|NFS]] Version 3
** Y2K-compliant 
* AIX 4.2, May 17, 1996<ref name=":2" />
* AIX 4.1.5, November 8, 1996<ref name=":2" />
* AIX 4.1.4, October 20, 1995<ref name=":2" />
* AIX 4.1.3, July 7, 1995<ref name=":2" />
** [[Common Desktop Environment|CDE]] 1.0 became the default GUI environment, replacing the AIXwindows Desktop.
* AIX 4.1.1, October 28, 1994<ref name=":2" />
* AIX 4.1, August 12, 1994<ref name=":2" />
** AIX Ultimedia Services introduced (multimedia drivers and applications){{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}
* AIX 4.0, 1994
** Run on RS/6000 systems with [[PowerPC]] processors and [[Peripheral Component Interconnect|PCI]] busses.
* AIX 3.2.5, October 15, 1993{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* AIX 3.2 1992{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* AIX 3.1, (General Availability) February 1990{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
** Journaled File System ([[IBM Journaled File System 2 (JFS2)|JFS]]) filesystem type
** AIXwindows Desktop (based on [[X.desktop]] from [[IXI Limited]])
* AIX 3.0 1989 (Early Access) 
** LVM ([[Logical Volume Manager (AIX)|Logical Volume Manager]]) was incorporated into OSF/1, and in 1995 for HP-UX,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://byte.com/art/9504/sec14/art2.htm |title=How HP improved the performance, reliability, and ease of use of its flagship PA-RISC operating system |first1=John |last1=Sontag |work=[[Byte (magazine)|Byte]] |date=April 1995 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961020154920/http://byte.com/art/9504/sec14/art2.htm |archive-date=October 20, 1996 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> and the Linux LVM implementation is similar to the HP-UX LVM implementation.<ref>{{cite conference|url=https://www.usenix.org/conference/2001-usenix-annual-technical-conference/volume-managers-linux|title=Volume Managers in Linux|first1=David|last1=Teigland|first2=Heinz|last2=Mauelshagen|conference=2001 USENIX Annual Technical Conference|date=June 2001|publisher=[[USENIX Association]]|access-date=January 13, 2022|archive-date=January 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113055232/https://www.usenix.org/conference/2001-usenix-annual-technical-conference/volume-managers-linux|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[IBM AIX SMIT|SMIT]] was introduced.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

===IBM System/370 releases===
* AIX/ESA Version 2 Release 2<ref>{{cite web
 |     title = IBM AIX/ESA Version 2 Release 2
 |        id = 292-711
 |      date = December 15, 1992
 |       url = https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS292-711
 |      type = Announcement letter
 | publisher = IBM
 }}
</ref>
** Announced December 15, 1992
** Available February 26, 1993
** Withdrawn Jun 19, 1993
** Runs only in S/370-ESA mode

* AIX/ESA Version 2 Release 1<ref name=ENUS292-183/>
** Announced March 31, 1992
** Available June 26, 1992
** Withdrawn Jun 19, 1993
** Runs only in S/370-ESA mode
* AIX/370 Version 1 Release 2.1<ref>{{cite web
 |title        = IBM AIX/370 Version 1 Release 2.1
 |id           = 291-040
 |date         = February 5, 1991
 |url          = https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS291-040
 |type         = Announcement letter
 |publisher    = [[IBM]]
 |access-date  = January 20, 2025
 |archive-date = February 11, 2025
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20250211104820/https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/archive/ENUS291-040
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>
** Announced February 5, 1991
** Available February February 22, 1991
** Withdrawn December 31, 1992
** Does not run in XA, ESA or z mode
<!-- AIX/ESA V1? -->
* AIX/370 Version 1 Release 1<ref name=ENUS288-130/>
** Announced March 15, 1988
** Available February 16, 1989
** Does not run in XA, ESA or z mode
<!-- V1R1.0? -->

===IBM PS/2 releases===
* AIX PS/2 v1.3, October 1992{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
** Withdrawn from sale in US, March 1995
** Patches supporting IBM ThinkPad 750C family of notebook computers, 1994
** Patches supporting non PS/2 hardware and systems, 1993
* AIX PS/2 v1.2.1, May 1991{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* AIX PS/2 v1.2, March 1990{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* AIX PS/2 v1.1, March 1989{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

===IBM RT releases===
* AIX RT v2.2.1, March 1991{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* AIX RT v2.2, March 1990{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* AIX RT v2.1, March 1989{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
** X-Windows included on installation media 
* AIX RT v1.1, 1986{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* AIX RT v1.0, 1985{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

==User interfaces==
[[File:CDE 2012 on Linux.png|thumb|The [[Common Desktop Environment]], AIX's default [[graphical user interface]] ]]

The default shell was [[Bourne shell]] up to AIX version 3, and [[KornShell]] (ksh88) in version 4 for [[XPG4]] and [[POSIX]] compliance.<ref name="CannonTrent1999"/>

===Graphical===
The [[Common Desktop Environment]] (CDE) is AIX's default [[graphical user interface]]. As part of Linux Affinity and the free [[AIX Toolbox for Linux Applications]] (ATLA), open-source [[KDE]] and [[GNOME]] desktops are also available.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/aix/7.2?topic=aix-adding-open-source-applications-your-system |title=Adding Open Source Applications to Your System |publisher=IBM |accessdate=21 January 2025}}</ref>

===System Management Interface Tool===
{{Main|System Management Interface Tool}}
[[File:Screenshot of IBM AIX SMIT Initial Menu.png|thumb|The initial menu, when running in text mode]]
[[IBM AIX SMIT|SMIT]] is the System Management Interface Tool for AIX. It allows a user to navigate a menu hierarchy of commands, rather than using the command line. Invocation is typically achieved with the command <code>smit</code>. Experienced system administrators make use of the <code>F6</code> function key which generates the command line that SMIT will invoke to complete it.
SMIT also generates a log of commands that are performed in the <code>smit.script</code> file. The <code>smit.script</code> file automatically records the commands with the command flags and parameters used. The <code>smit.script</code> file can be used as an executable shell script to rerun system configuration tasks. SMIT also creates the <code>smit.log</code> file, which contains additional detailed information that can be used by programmers in extending the SMIT system.

<code>smit</code> and <code>smitty</code> refer to the same program, though <code>smitty</code> invokes the text-based version, while <code>smit</code> will invoke an X Window System based interface if possible; however, if <code>smit</code> determines that X Window System capabilities are not present, it will present the text-based version instead of failing. Determination of X Window System capabilities is typically performed by checking for the existence of the <code>DISPLAY</code> variable.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

==Database==
'''Object Data Manager''' ('''ODM''') is a database of system information integrated into AIX,<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Object Data Manager (ODM)|url=http://sysadminexperts.com/basic-aix-course/aix-technical-topic/object-data-manager-odm|website=sysadminexperts.com|publisher=SysAdminExperts|access-date=June 18, 2016|archive-date=June 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613035746/http://sysadminexperts.com/basic-aix-course/aix-technical-topic/object-data-manager-odm/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=IBM Knowledge Center: Object data manager|url=https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/ssw_aix_71/com.ibm.aix.genprogc/odm.htm|website=ibm.com|publisher=IBM|access-date=June 18, 2016|archive-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810215310/https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/ssw_aix_71/com.ibm.aix.genprogc/odm.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> analogous to the [[Windows registry|registry]] in [[Microsoft Windows]].<ref name="Nemeth2011">{{cite book |last=Nemeth |first=Evi |title=UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0SIdBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA432 |date=2011 |publisher=Prentice Hall |isbn=978-0-13-148005-6 |pages=432–437 |chapter=Chapter 13. Drivers and the Kernel |access-date=June 7, 2017 |archive-date=February 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227081710/https://books.google.com/books?id=0SIdBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA432 |url-status=live }}</ref> A good understanding of the ODM is essential for managing AIX systems.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Michael|first1=Randal|title=AIX 5L Administration|date=August 2, 2002|publisher=Mcgraw-hill|isbn=9780072222555|page=150|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NS_2z4e67sQC&q=%22object+data+manager%22|language=en|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123044509/https://books.google.com/books?id=NS_2z4e67sQC&q=%22object+data+manager%22|url-status=live}}</ref>

Data managed in ODM is stored and maintained as [[Object (computer science)|objects]] with associated [[Attribute (computing)|attributes]].<ref name="globalknowledge">{{cite web|title=IBM Training White Paper: Understanding the AIX Object Data Manager|url=https://www.globalknowledge.com/us-en/resources/resource-library/white-papers/understanding-the-aix-object-data-manager/|website=globalknowledge.com|publisher=Global Knowledge|access-date=June 18, 2016|archive-date=August 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807075832/https://www.globalknowledge.com/us-en/resources/resource-library/white-papers/understanding-the-aix-object-data-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref> Interaction with ODM is possible via [[application programming interface]] (API) [[Library (computing)|library]] for programs, and [[command-line utilities]] such as ''odmshow'', ''odmget'', ''odmadd'', ''odmchange'' and ''odmdelete'' for [[shell script]]s and users.  [[System Management Interface Tool|SMIT]] and its associated AIX commands can also be used to query and modify information in the ODM.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Frisch|first1=Æleen|title=Essential System Administration: Tools and Techniques for Linux and Unix Administration|date=August 23, 2002|publisher="O'Reilly Media, Inc."|isbn=9780596550493|page=67|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uRW8V9QOL7YC&q=%22object+data+manager%22+AIX&pg=PT91|language=en|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123044336/https://books.google.com/books?id=uRW8V9QOL7YC&q=%22object+data+manager%22+AIX&pg=PT91|url-status=live}}</ref> ODM is stored on disk using [[Berkeley DB]] files.<ref name="Hein 2010 p.">{{cite book | last=Hein | first=Trent | title=Unix and Linux System Administration Handbook, Fourth Edition | publisher=Pearson | publication-place=S.l | year=2010 | isbn=978-0-13-211736-4 | oclc=1192343222 | page=}}</ref>

Example of information stored in the ODM database are:
*[[Computer network|Network]] configuration<ref name=":1" />
*[[Logical volume management]] configuration<ref>{{Cite web |title=Object Data Manager |url=https://www.unix-ninja.com/p/Object_Data_Manager#:~:text=Network%20configuration,and%20commands%20that%20SMIT%20uses |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=www.unix-ninja.com}}</ref>
*Installed software information<ref name=":1" />
*Information for logical devices or [[software driver]]s{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
*List of all AIX supported devices{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
*Physical hardware devices installed and their configuration{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
*Menus, screens and commands that SMIT uses<ref name=":1" />

==See also==
* [[Academic Operating System|AOS]], IBM's educational-market port of [[Berkeley Software Distribution|4.3BSD]]
* [[IBM High Availability Cluster Multiprocessing|IBM PowerHA SystemMirror]] (formerly HACMP)
* [[List of Unix systems]]
* [[nmon]]
* [[Operating systems timeline]]
* [[Service Update Management Assistant]]
* [[Vital Product Data]] (VPD)

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/aix-service-strategy-and-best-practices AIX Service Strategy and Best Practices]

{{IBM}}
{{IBM operating systems}}
{{Unix}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aix}}
[[Category:Data center technology]]
[[Category:IBM AIX]]
[[Category:Power ISA operating systems]]
[[Category:PowerPC operating systems]]
[[Category:UNIX System V|IBM Aix]]
[[Category:Object-oriented database management systems]]
[[Category:1986 software]]
[[Category:X86 operating systems]]