A restored PDP-11/83 serving this page on 211BSD Unix
A vintage PDP-11/83 has been lovingly restored and configured to serve a live website, complete with period-appropriate hardware and a 2.11BSD operating system. This impressive feat of retro-computing delights enthusiasts with its technical detail and nostalgic charm. However, the modern-feeling site design and prominent ad placement also stir controversy and questions about the project's true nature.
The Lowdown
The website "pdp1173.com" is served by a meticulously restored PDP-11/83, affectionately named "minerva." This project showcases a blend of historical hardware and modern web infrastructure to keep a piece of computing history alive and connected to the internet.
- Hardware Core: The system is built around a Mentec M11 CPU, which replaces original DEC components, integrated into two Q-bus chassis. It features a variety of period-specific controllers for storage (RQDX3, UC07, KDA50, RLV12) and networking (DEQNA).
- Storage and Media: Data is stored across multiple classic devices including RA82 and RA92 hard drives, MFM disks for boot/swap, dual RL02 drives, RX50 floppies, and a TKZ50 tape drive.
- Operating System: The machine runs 2.11BSD Unix, a 16-bit operating system adapted to the Mentec M11's IEEE floating-point standard.
- Web Serving: To handle modern web traffic, the site employs Varnish, Caddy, and Cloudflare as a cache, while the PDP-11 itself serves the origin content and real-time system activity snapshots (
/cgi-bin/webtop). - Security and Access: A telnet service is available for guest access, but the author cautions against treating it as a "challenge box" due to the 40-year-old UNIX's lack of modern security, emphasizing that restoration from tape would disrupt others' access.
This project is a testament to the dedication required to maintain and operate vintage computing hardware in the 21st century, offering a live window into a bygone era of technology.
The Gossip
Skepticism and Scrutiny
Many users expressed doubt about the project's authenticity, citing the 'AI-flavored' writing style, vague technical descriptions, and prominent banner advertisements for commercial software. Concerns were raised that the site might be a marketing ploy rather than a pure passion project, with some commenters pointing to the author's previous projects and controversial history on Hacker News as a basis for their skepticism.
Vintage Valor and Veneration
Despite the skepticism, a significant portion of the community celebrated the dedication to restoring and operating such vintage hardware. Commenters expressed nostalgia, appreciation for the technical achievement, and the joy of seeing classic systems still running and serving a live purpose. Some shared their own experiences with similar retro-computing projects or expressed a desire to keep the spirit of the 'old internet' alive.
Networking Nuances and Nostalgia
Discussions also delved into the specific technical challenges of connecting a PDP-11 with a DEQNA Ethernet controller to a modern network. Users debated the feasibility and complexity of this task, sharing insights on driver support (e.g., NetBSD), potential issues like multicast behavior, and the need for patched ROMs or recompiled kernels to achieve modern connectivity. Some found the lack of detailed explanation on this particular challenge suspicious, while others shared their own experiences with similar vintage networking setups.