Major software releases, such as IRIX 6.5, are intended as opportunities to make major infrastructure changes. These releases occur on longer cycles (18 months or more), include changes to all of our core components, and are generally backwards binary compatible. Between these major releases, there will generally be intermediate releases which add support for more localized hardware and software features, as well as fixes to identified software and hardware problems. One of these cycles of a major release followed by some number of intermediate releases constitutes a "release family".

For the 6.5 release family, a new release model is implemented to meet compatibility and reliability goals as well as the functional needs of our customer community. The new approach allows for the delivery of software in a predictable and timely manner.

Benefits

The IRIX 6.5 release family provides two distinct paths for our customers. These paths are identified by maintenance (6.5.Nm) and feature (6.5.Nf) designations. Both 6.5.Nm and 6.5.Nf are packaged within a single release and are selectable during installation.

The 6.5.Nm path focuses on fixing defects as well as providing new hardware support. The 6.5.Nf path provides new software functionality, in addition to the fixes in the maintenance path.

Please note, the primary purpose of the IRIX 6.5.1 release is problem prevention and meeting hardware support commitments. Therefore, the IRIX 6.5.1 release contains only the 6.5.1m maintenance binaries.

An additional advantage to the IRIX 6.5.1 release is it enables system administrators to maintain one set of operating system media to support all SGI systems and peripherals. For developers, application development is easier since the release provides support for all platforms, and is backward and forward compatible with the major operating system line.

How to Obtain IRIX 6.5.1

Artisan or Artisan Plus level members of the SGI Developer Program receive the latest operating system releases as they occur. Developers with a current software support contract can obtain more information on installing and obtaining the IRIX 6.5.1 release from SupportFolio.