Used AIX or Solaris machines

November 8, 2005 9:56 AM

UnixBoxFilter: I need access to an AIX or Solaris box. Does anyone know of a service that will sell VPS-type access to such a beast? Alternatively, what are the best places online to look for used low-end AIX or Solaris workstations (preferrably in the EU). RISC CPUs are a must, so Linux or Solaris x86 can't work here.
posted by costas to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

Are you looking to port & compile software, or just want to poke around?
posted by cmonkey at 10:00 AM on November 8, 2005

Universities are practically giving these things away. Google search.
posted by Mr T at 10:12 AM on November 8, 2005

Before you commit hari-kari go running to an old Solaris, you should note that Linux runs on Sparc.
posted by Plutor at 10:18 AM on November 8, 2005

Wow, I didn't expect so many answers this quickly... I develop and configure data-mining systems for a living and these often require RISC-based AIX or Solaris systems (i.e. I need to use pre-compiled binaries from a vendor). OTOH, the customers I do the work for often don't want to provide remote access to their own boxes for extended periods of time, so I need testing and staging machines. From b1tr0t's VPS link, it looks like VPS is not practical for my purposes --I'd need 100GB disk space or so for a staging system, so I am down to a used box or striking a deal with IBM/Sun.

I guess I need to look for a secret stash of surplus Sun hardware from UK companies or schools or something...
posted by costas at 10:56 AM on November 8, 2005

Try ebay.
posted by devilsbrigade at 12:39 PM on November 8, 2005

This is not meant to be a plug - but I keep a list of vendors and resellers of Sun hardware on my website, sunhelp.org.

Too bad you're not in Houston, TX - I've got a quad-processor E450 taking up space in my living room.
posted by mrbill at 8:11 PM on November 8, 2005