History of IBM AIX in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 13, 2026

IBM's AIX is a proprietary Unix operating system developed and sold since 1986. AIX, which stands for "Advanced Interactive eXecutive", is designed for IBM's Power ISA-based server and workstation computers, including the Power line. It is a key product in IBM's hardware and software ecosystem, offering a robust and scalable operating environment.

1976: Unix Used in Academic Institutions

In 1976, the Unix operating system, originally developed at AT&T's Bell Labs, began to be used in various academic institutions, including Princeton University, where it was ported to the S/370 to run as a guest OS under VM/370.

1979: IBM Assists in Porting Unix to S/370

In 1979, IBM assisted Bell Labs in porting Unix to the S/370 platform for use as a build host for the 5ESS switch's software, modifying the TSS/370 Resident Supervisor to improve Unix support.

1980: First Attempt at TSS/370-based UNIX System

Around 1980, IBM's first attempt at a TSS/370-based UNIX system was jointly developed with AT&T.

1984: VM/IX System Developed

Around 1984, a VM/370-based system named VM/IX was jointly developed with ISC.

1984: Introduction of VM/IX

In 1984, IBM introduced VM/IX, its own Unix variant for the S/370 platform. It was developed by Interactive Systems Corporation (ISC) using Unix System III, although it was only available as a PRPQ and not a General Availability product.

1985: Introduction of IBM IX/370

In 1985, IBM replaced VM/IX with IBM IX/370, a fully supported product based on AT&T's Unix System V, developed by ISC to compete against UTS.

January 1986: AIX Introduced for IBM RT PC Workstation

In January 1986, AIX was introduced for the IBM RT PC workstation, based on UNIX System V Releases 1 and 2, incorporating source code from 4.2 and 4.3 BSD UNIX.

1986: AIX Release for IBM RT PC

In 1986, AIX was initially released for the IBM RT PC RISC workstation, later expanding to support various hardware platforms like the IBM RS/6000 series, IBM System i, System/370 mainframes, PS/2 personal computers, and the Apple Network Server.

1986: AIX Introduction

In 1986, IBM introduced AIX (Advanced Interactive eXecutive), a proprietary Unix operating system designed for Power ISA-based servers and workstations.

1987: AIX Version 2 for RT PC

In 1987, AIX Version 2 was released for the IBM RT PC.

September 1988: AIX PS/2 Product Announcement

In September 1988, the IBM AIX PS/2 product line was announced with a baseline price of $595. Additional utilities and packages such as UUCP, Text Formatting System, TCP/IP stack, X Window System, C and FORTRAN compilers, DOS Merge, and AIX PS/2 DOS Server Program were sold separately.

October 1988: AIX PS/2 First Release

In October 1988, AIX PS/2 (AIX/386) was first released, running on IBM PS/2 personal computers with Intel 386 and compatible processors.

1988: IBM Announces AIX/370

In 1988, IBM announced AIX/370, their fourth attempt to provide Unix-like functionality for the System/370 mainframe line.

1990: AIX Version 3 Released for POWER-based RS/6000

In 1990, AIX Version 3 was released for the new POWER-based RS/6000 platform, marking IBM's official approval of Unix. IBM allowed its AS/400 and Unix-based RS/6000 to compete in the midrange system market.

1990: AIX/370 Released

In 1990, AIX/370 was released with functional equivalence to System V Release 2 and 4.3BSD as well as IBM enhancements.

1990: AIX Version 3 Coincides with RS/6000 Announcement

In 1990, the release of AIX version 3 (AIX/6000) coincided with the announcement of the first POWER1-based IBM RS/6000 models.

1991: AIX/ESA Released

In 1991, AIX/ESA was released based on OSF/1, replacing AIX/370 and running on the System/390 platform, both natively and as a guest under VM.

1991: AIX for RS/6000 Source Code Available to Customers

In 1991, IBM made the AIX for RS/6000 source code available to customers for a one-time charge of US$60,000; customers also needed to procure source code license agreements with AT&T and the University of California, Berkeley.

1992: AIX 3.1 Source Code Released

In 1992, IBM released the AIX 3.1 source code, excluding certain files and layered products.

1992: Last Version of PS/2 AIX Released

In 1992, the last version of PS/2 AIX, version 1.3, was released, adding support for non-IBM (non-microchannel) computers.

1993: AIX 3.2 Source Code Released

In 1993, IBM released the AIX 3.2 source code, excluding certain files and layered products.

1994: AIX Version 4 Introduced

In 1994, AIX Version 4 was introduced, adding symmetric multiprocessing capabilities.

1994: UNIX Functionality Added to MVS

In 1994, UNIX functionality was added to IBM's existing mainframe operating system, MVS, as MVS/ESA SP Version 4 Release 3 OpenEdition.

March 1995: End of Support for PS/2 AIX

In March 1995, support ended for PS/2 AIX.

1999: AIX 4.3.3 Culmination

In 1999, AIX Version 4 evolved through the 1990s, culminating with AIX 4.3.3.

2001: AIX 5L Beta for IA-64 Released

In 2001, IBM released a beta test version of AIX 5L for the IA-64 (Itanium) architecture as part of Project Monterey, but it never became an official product.

2002: Project Monterey Discontinued

In 2002, Project Monterey, an attempt by IBM and the Santa Cruz Operation to integrate AIX and UnixWare, was discontinued after limited commercial success.

2003: SCO Group Lawsuit Against IBM

In 2003, The SCO Group filed a lawsuit against IBM, alleging misappropriation of UNIX System V source code in AIX.

May 2007: AIX 6 Announced

In May 2007, AIX 6 was announced.

November 9, 2007: AIX 6 Generally Available

On November 9, 2007, AIX 6 became generally available, featuring role-based access control, workload partitions, and Live Partition Mobility.

September 2010: AIX 7.1 Released

In September 2010, AIX 7.1 was released, featuring enhancements such as Cluster Aware AIX and support for large-scale memory and real-time application requirements.