Getting started using Solaris part 1

Introduction

Solaris is a UNIX flavor like AIX, HP-UX, IRIX and many more. It's based on SYSV architecture. This OS can be run on 2 different processors: SPARC and x86 (32 or 64 bits). The OS itself can be downloaded as ISO image (CD's or DVD) for SPARC or x86 platform from Oracle site: Solaris 10  Solaris 11 and can be used for free (for noncommercial) with some limitations.
For fans of FOSS exist variant, named OpenSolaris, which include most of the features of Solaris, but have excluded the copyrighted materials and code.


Installation
1. Get in mind you can use only command line, Bourne shell and vi. (Actually this should be step with number zero, but wiki format do not enable it ;-)
2. Before use of OS you should install it. For this purpose you need SPARC or x86 machine, CD's or DVD and some time. Currently you can use also visualization software. If you do not want to be badly surprised please check the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
3.Installation process is in generally smooth and easy, but you should get some decisions:

•    How to split the existing disk(s), how big should be filesystems, etc. For starting point and some suggestions read SUN documentations and/or this document: Suggestions and ideas about filesystem sizing on Solaris

•     Prepare self for installation process i.e. if you have less that 512 MB of memory process will be in text mode, otherwise will try to start in graphical mode. The both methods are similar, excluding the fact in graphical mode you can open new terminal and make some checks, etc. In text mode you have only one screen.

•     Decide what software group you will install, additional software, etc. For Solaris 10 you can choose from next software groups:

          - Reduced Network Support - absolute minimal installation with limited network support. This group do not activate any network service
          - Core System Support - minimal installation, but to do some work you need to install additional software: Practical guide for minimalistic Solaris installation
          - End User Solaris - all from above group plus Common Desktop Environment
          - Developer Solaris - all from above group plus libraries, include files, man pages, and programming tools, need for software development support, but without compiler(s)
          - Entire Solaris - all from above group plus additional network services
          - Entire Solaris Software Group Plus OEM Support - all from above group plus additional hardware drivers
        Of course you can install software after finish of the installation process, but sometime dependencies requirements in Solaris can be nightmare for newbies

•     Next step is to collect information about the network settings

          - which of the network cards will be used (if many)
          - IP address of the machine (static or acquired via DHCP)
          - network mask
          - default gateway
          - name service: NIS, NIS+, LDAP, DNS or none
        be aware when you set anything different from none you should have network access to the service and service up and running, otherwise you should wait a lot in process of installation
          - hostname of server
          - usage of kerberos
          - default gateway

•     Then you should get information about

          - timezone you will run the machine
          - locales you need/want to install
    And at the end do the installation itself :-)

For more detailed instructions for the installation process please consult Solaris Installation Guide