parlock / vax-kernel

Simple VAX Kernel

Simple VAX Kernel (SVK)

This project hosts the required code (bootstrap, loader, kernel and shell) to drive a MicroVAX 3900.

In detail, the code explores the required minimal bootstrapping code, Memory Management Unit (MMU) support, interrupt handling, I/O (console support) and multitasking.

More information about this project:

http://javiermunhoz.com/blog/2013/09/10/vax-virtual-bare-metal-programming.html

Licensing

SVK is freely redistributable under the two-clause BSD License. Use of this source code is governed by a BSD-style license that can be found in the LICENSE file.

Dependencies

1. This code was developed and tested in a GNU/Linux system (Debian GNU/Linux)
2. A cross-compiler VAX toolchain is required. You can build it using NetBSD. See The NetBSD guide (Chapter 31)
3. You need some hardware to test. You can use SIMH v3.9 in order to get a virtual testbed for MicroVAX 3900. If you use SIMH you should check vax and ka655x.bin binaries are available.

Compiling and building

1. Grab the code with Git. Use the following command:

   ~$ git clone https://github.com/javimunhoz/vax-kernel

2. Compile the sources (boot and kernel)

   ~$ cd vax-kernel && make -C src/

3. Build an ISO

   ~$ ./scripts/build-iso.sh

4. Run it

   ~$ ./scripts/boot.sh