MINIX 3.3.0 Release

MINIX is a UNIX-like computer operating system based on a microkernel architecture. It is extremely small, with the part that runs in kernel mode in about 5,000 lines of source code, while the parts that run in user mode are divided into small, insulated modules which enhance system reliability. Originally designed as an educational tool, the latest versions of MINIX are also targetted at embedded systems and low-power laptops. By the project’s own admission, MINIX is work in progress and is nowhere near as mature as BSD or Linux. It is released under a BSD-type licence.

Andy Tanenbaum has announced the release of MINIX 3.3.0, a major new version of the UNIX-like operating system based on a microkernel architecture – now also with support for the ARM processor: “We are pleased to present the MINIX 3.3.0 stable release. The major new features and improvements of this release include: the first release with ARM support, three Beagle targets are supported; experimental USB support for the Beaglebones (hubs and mass storage); cross-compiling for both ARM and x86 – the buildsystem is very portable; big source code cleanup – cleaner C types in messages, improved NetBSD compatibility, all MINIX-specific code moved to a top-level minix/ folder; updated packages overall – a big set is built now; and they are dynamically linked now; improved driver modularity….” Here is the brief release announcement, with a longer list of new features and improvements available in the release notes.  

Download (MD5) the compressed installation CD image from here: minix_R3.3.0-588a35b.iso.bz2 (288MB, torrent).

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