Resources for the Solaris OS on IBM Servers

Karen Perkins, last updated on 2009-05-07

Are you running the Solaris Operating System on IBM hardware? If so, check out the resources we've gathered here to help you:

• Sun and IBM Agreement
• Sun Resources for Solaris on IBM Hardware
• IBM Resources for Solaris on IBM Hardware
• General Sun Resources

Sun and IBM Agreement

Sun and IBM have come together to make it easier to acquire the scalability, reliability, performance, and security of the Solaris OS. As part of the Sun and IBM agreement, IBM provides customers Standard and Premium Solaris support subscriptions with select x86-based IBM System x servers and BladeCenter servers.

For FAQs and info on features and support, see Sun's Solaris on IBM Servers site.

Sun Resources for Solaris on IBM Hardware

Here are related Sun resources.

Applications and Tools

The Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) for the Solaris OS identifies systems and peripherals that are compatible with the Solaris OS and provides information about available software support. In particular, see the following pages:

• The OEM System Vendor section of the HCL, which shows what IBM hardware is certified with the Solaris 10 OS
• Search for IBM Specific systems from the BigAdmin HCL.
• The main Solaris OS: Hardware Compatibility Lists page, which provides links to other tools, such as the Sun Device Detection Tool and the Installation Check Tool

Device and Third-party Device Driver Reference Lists are available for the Solaris and OpenSolaris Operating Systems. Hardware lists include both device drivers that have been tested and those not certified by the Sun Hardware Certification Test Suite. The x86 device support list includes PCI ID, driver, vendor, and device categorized by OS release. Additional resources include the Solaris Driver (bnx) for Broadcom NetExtreme II Devices Support Matrix and an associated FAQ.

FAQs, Articles, and Documentation

• FAQs for Sun Solaris on IBM Servers
• Articles on BigAdmin, such as:
  • Implementing IBM DB2 UDB V9 HA in a Solaris Cluster 3.2 Environment
  • Configuring IBM WebSphere Process Server With OpenDS as an LDAP User Repository (submitted by community)
• Sun documentation:
  • Documentation Center
  • Solaris 10 documents on docs.sun.com
  • Solaris 10 Installation Guide for IBM BladeCenter Servers on docs.sun.com

Wikis, Forums, and Downloads

• Sun wikis:
  • Sun BluePrints wiki, which provides technical best-practices information (registration required) that is derived from the real-world experience of Sun experts for getting the most out of Sun products and solutions
  • BigAdmin wiki, which provides resources such as:
    • Workaround for Installing Solaris 10 5/09 OS on the IBM HS22 Type 7870 Blade Server
    • Installing Solaris 10 5/08 OS on the IBM LS42 Blade Server
    • Installing Solaris 10 5/08 OS on IBM x3850 M2 Server
    • "6668806: Xorg Server Fails to Start on IBM x3850 M2 Server" on the BigAdmin wiki's Servers page
• Sun forums, especially the Solaris forums
• Download page for OpenSolaris and the Solaris OS

IBM Resources for Solaris on IBM Hardware

• IBM's ServerProven site:
  • BladeCenter NOS and NOS extension information*
  • System x NOS and NOS extension information*
• IBM tech tip: Solaris 10 5/08 installation fails with panic - IBM System x3850 M2 (Type 7141)*

General Sun Resources

• Sun training courses at http://www.sun.com/training/; also see specific learning paths such as the System Administrator Learning Paths and the Solaris Value Packages
• New Software Programs Benefit Partners and Customers web page, which provides info on Sun's Open Access Channel Program and Software Specialties Program
• Support:
  • Sun resources:
    • Register your Sun gear
    • Services
    • SunSolve Online
  • Community system administration experts
• Events of interest to users of Sun products:
  • Worldwide Developer Events and Sun Tech Days
  • Current Events