If you've been interested in trying out OpenSolaris but aren't sure where to begin, take some time to read a Sun Developer Network article that shows you how to give it a try via a Live CD, and move on to actually installing the open source OS if long-term use is preferred.

Brian Leonard and Janice J. Heiss take first-timers through the process of dabbling with OpenSolaris with the Live CD, which means that it can be booted into RAM, causing zero impact on your existing operating system. But this method is only for a trial since any changes that you make to the system will be lost when the system is shut down.

The article continues on for those that are ready and willing to actually install OpenSolaris, with Leonard and Heiss explaining the various options users have on where to install the OS. These choices include inside a virtual machine on top of your existing operating system, on the bare metal alongside your existing operating system(s) or on the bare metal as a stand-alone operating system. Each is discussed, allowing users to determine which one would best suit their needs.

Other areas discussed are how the privileges assigned to the user ID that you created during installation allow you to administer your system; managing system services through the Service Management Facility (SMF); using Network Auto-Magic (NWAM) to manage the network; understanding the root directory; how to install additional software using the new Image Packaging System (IPS); and a list of repositories available. The two also offer information on the importance of boot environments and how you can create one from either the Package Manager or the command line. Additional instruction on Update Manager, which alerts users when updates to IPS packages are available, and Solaris Legacy Package Manager (SVR4 packaging system) are provided.

Resource links at the end of the article are handy for users with specific questions on their IT environments.

More Information

Getting Started With the OpenSolaris OS - SDN article

OpenSolaris

OpenSolaris.org

Download

Solaris and OpenSolaris Developer Center

OpenSolaris Tips and Tricks - from The Observatory blog

Learn OpenSolaris

OpenSolaris articles [...read more...]

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