Microport Systems
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software development |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Chuck Hickey |
| Defunct | 2002 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy; acquired by Abraxas Software in 1990 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | UNIX System V ports for IBM 286, 386, and PS/2 PCs; UNIX-related software and drivers |
Number of employees | Reduced workforce after bankruptcy (circa early 1990s) |
Microport Systems operated from 1985 to 2002 as a software development firm that revolutionized affordable UNIX ports, drastically reducing both development costs and UNIX pricing. The company was responsible for the initial ports of AT&T's UNIX System V tailored for IBM 286 and 386 personal computer models, in addition to IBM's PS/2 machines. Microport contributed to the Free Software Foundation (FSF) by providing a complete 386 development setup, which facilitated the porting of the GNU C compiler (gcc) to the x86 architecture. Additionally, Microport was involved in the events leading to Kevin Mitnick's first apprehension after he infiltrated their internal systems.
Establishment
In 1983, AT&T introduced UNIX System V and collaborated with companies such as Intel, Motorola, and Zilog to adapt System V for standardized hardware platforms. This strategy aimed at cost reduction by simplifying UNIX adoption across similar hardware environments, requiring only minimal platform-specific adjustments. This concept inspired the name "Microport."
Chuck Hickey, the founder, identified that AT&T’s Intel port could be modified for the IBM 286 PC, marking the first instance of System V UNIX on personal computers. By September 1985, Hickey had gathered a compact team of four programmers who were primarily compensated through stock options and royalty shares. This streamlined approach enabled Microport to offer its UNIX version at $99, significantly lower than the $500 price tag of competitor Santa Cruz Operation’s XENIX OS.
After merely two months of development, Microport unveiled its product at the November 1985 COMDEX exhibition, drawing interest from major players like IBM, SCO, and Microsoft. NCR became Microport’s inaugural client with a $100,000 agreement that financed the completion of System V for the IBM 286 PC and initiated work on porting to the IBM 386 PC in September 1986. Microport’s early integration of System V Release 3 (SVR3) technology placed it several years ahead of SCO’s developments.
As the company evolved, it transitioned towards catering to large-scale OEM and VAR customers but was ultimately undermined by poor financial management leading to bankruptcy.
Software Applications
Initially, Microport faced challenges in securing contracts due to a scarcity of application software compatible with its operating system (OS) ports. Limited financial resources hindered their ability to engage application vendors for porting and certification across each new OS version. To overcome this obstacle, Microport sought to establish compatibility with Xenix applications, aiming to run SCO and Microsoft Xenix software on their UNIX platform. However, legal actions from SCO and Microsoft forced them to abandon these efforts. Eventually, Microport secured application support by capitalizing on AT&T-funded development for the 6300+ Personal Computer, which conformed to the System V standard embraced by Microport’s OS ports. This alignment facilitated straightforward compatibility with applications designed for the 6300+.
System V on the 386
In 1986, Microport distinguished itself as the first company to launch System V UNIX on the IBM 386 PC by utilizing Interactive Systems Corporation's (ISC) System V port designed for Intel’s 386 Tahoe platform, achieving this milestone three weeks ahead of ISC. This offering progressed from beta testing to full production following AT&T’s release of complete SVR3 licensing the subsequent year. Additionally, Microport ported SVR2 to operate on the IBM AT system.
Investment and Bankruptcy
Following the introduction of its 386 port in 1986, Microport attracted an investment exceeding $1 million from Televideo, which acquired a 51% ownership stake and facilitated the creation of an international division. Nevertheless, beginning in 1988, the company experienced a downturn in sales as competitors such as ISC, Bell Technologies, and Everex launched their own 386 ports, diminishing Microport’s market presence and restricting additional funding opportunities. Founder Hickey resigned from his CEO position, handing over leadership to CFO Greg Chavez.
Chavez attempted to find potential buyers but was unsuccessful, leading Microport to accumulate roughly $1 million in debt by early 1989. In the spring of that year, Chavez departed and Televideo withdrew from the board. Subsequently, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and continued operations under court supervision with a reduced workforce for close to two years.
Post-Bankruptcy
In May 1990, Abraxas Software acquired Microport through bankruptcy proceedings. The company became a member of Unix International and participated in developing the first multiprocessor system alongside industry leaders Unisys, Intel, and Sequent Computer Systems. Microport was among the pioneers in compiling System V, Release 4 (SVR4) for the Pentium processor and earned recognition for offering one of the most advanced serial device drivers among UNIX vendors.
By 1992, Microport discontinued its proprietary UNIX development efforts to focus on reselling UnixWare (SVR4.2) following Novell’s acquisition of UNIX rights. The firm maintained select driver development projects and secured significant OEM agreements until SCO purchased UnixWare from Novell in 1995. Afterward, Microport transitioned into a SCO reseller but struggled to respond effectively to emerging challenges posed by Linux and Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD). Despite early employee involvement with the Free Software Foundation, company leadership—including CEO Mike Grinder who managed operations prior to the final bankruptcy in 2002—did not fully embrace the open-source movement.
Impact
Microport played a crucial role in introducing affordable UNIX solutions accessible to hobbyists and everyday users, disrupting the market previously dominated by expensive minicomputer systems and commercial UNIX variants targeted mainly at OEMs and VARs. Although later shifting focus toward OEM and VAR sales, Microport’s early innovations contributed significantly to establishing a market for cost-effective UNIX technology, thereby facilitating widespread adoption of Linux and BSD on personal computers throughout the 1990s.