Future Perfect?


 * The *highly* unofficial FAQ of the next generation of OS/2 (Warp 5?)

- Last updated the November 30, 1996.

Headline news:
 * Warp 5 project notes.
 * Warp 4.1 timeframe.

Warp 4.x
Though this is a FAQ for Warp 5, helpful people inside and outside of IBM gives me hints on

Since I think this is of great interest for you as well I chose to include it.
 * Warp 4.1.

Warp 4.1 has now been in alfa tests for at least one month. It (Warp 4.1) will go into beta in early January and is planned to be released in the end of the first quarter of 97. Sources indicate that they will release 4.1 as a quiet upgrade to 4.0 that is to replace the current packages but no big marketing campaign.
 * WARP41

Warp 4.1 will contain the SMP level-2 kernel. This kernel is to be used for both UNI (one processor) and SMP machines which means that Warp 4.1 will probably also will SMP enabled. We all heard that development of the Warp kernel was stopped, and this is probably the reason. The SMP kernel will replace the "old" UNI kernel.

IBM is probably combining Warp and Warp server into one common codebase (like Windows NT) to simplify development. You will still be able to buy different versions but they will share a common code base.

There will be lots of Java and Web stuff in 4.1 and the IBM Web-server might be included in 4.1 with TME 10 Workgroup and so on. IBM has stated that they have several (20?) different projects going on that will surface as addons to Warp 4. IBM also said that they will upgrade the codebase between major releases (before Warp 5) with these new things (cited from a InfoWorld interview with John W. Thompson).

There is a new CHKDSK (checkdisk) in development. Its 32-bit and much faster than the current CHKDSK. It will be a MUCH welcome addition for HPFS users! OS/2 for Power PC already contain this new HPFS code and its more or less a strait port from OS2PPC. I have been hinted that it is to be released this year (96) but I rather believe that it will be included into Warp 4.1.

Warp Server 4.x
Warp Server 4.1 will be based on Warp 4 and it will contain the SMP level-2 kernel. This kernel is to be used for both UNI (one processor) and SMP machines.

Warp Server will be much enhanced with new Multithreaded device-drivers (probably from OS2PPC), spinlock instead of semaphores, no more serialized I/O, scaleable to 64 CPU's, raw file I/O, full failover-support and lots more. Clustering of servers will also be supported.

IBM is going to aim for 100% scaleability per CPU. Its not possible to reach all the way to 100% since synchronization between the processors will stop you, however IBM is trying to get as close as possible.

There is an official (though internal IBM document) on three pages describing Warp Server 4.1.