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Abstract:

4.3BSD UNIX as shipped is designed for use on individually-managed, networked timesharing systems. A large network of individual workstations and server machines, all managed centrally, has many important differences from such a model. This paper discusses some of the changes necessary for 4.3 in this new world, including the file system layout, configuration files, and software. The integration with Athena's authentication system, name service, and service management system are also discussed. 1. Overview "By 1988, create a new educational computing environment environment at MIT built around high-performance graphics workstations, high-speed networking, and servers of various types. " This one-sentence statement is a highlevel description of the technical goals of Project Athena. While the primary goals are to enhance education, attaining them has required a significant effort to engineer a software environment for use in a large network of workstations and servers. The Athena hardware environment currently consists of approximately 650 workstations and 65 dedicated server machines. There are two kinds of workstations: DEC MicroVAX systems and IBM RT PC's. The servers are VAX 11/750's or dedicated workstations of either type. The operating system in use now is 4.3BSD UNIX on the VAX machines, and IBM's 4.3/RT UNIX for the RT PC systems. All systems

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