Resources for the Solaris OS on Dell Servers

Karen Perkins, last updated on 2009-05-15

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

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

Sun and Dell Agreement

An agreement between Sun and Dell gives Solaris customers an expanded option of pre-configured certified systems, and enables Dell customers to leverage the advanced security, virtualization, and scalability features inherent in the Solaris OS. Sun and Dell are simplifying IT by making it easier to acquire an integrated Solaris based solution, and they are collaborating to provide extensive back-line support.

For more info, see Sun's Solaris on Dell Servers web site, which provides info about the Hardware Certification Test Suite (HCTS), Solaris innovations, Solaris benchmark info, and more.

Sun Resources for Solaris on Dell Hardware

Here are related resources from Sun:

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 Dell hardware is certified with the Solaris 10 OS
• Search for Dell 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.

Articles and Documentation

• Articles on BigAdmin, such as Installing the Solaris 10 10/08 OS on Dell PowerEdge M805/M905 Blade Servers, which shows how to create a custom net install image and also how to perform a manual install using either an external USB DVD drive or a Dell Remote Access Controller (DRAC) virtual CD/DVD with no network connection
• Sun Documentation:
  • Documentation Center
  • Solaris 10 documents on docs.sun.com

Troubleshooting

• Known Issue in the Solaris OS Affecting Keyboard Layout and Characters Displayed
  This Tech Tip describes the workaround for an issue when using the keyboard attached to Dell PowerEdge 2950 III & R900 system.

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
• Sun forums, especially the Solaris forums
• Download page for OpenSolaris and the Solaris OS

Dell Resources for Solaris on Dell Hardware

• List of Dell systems that support the Solaris 10 OS*
• Dell's Solaris Solutions web page*, which provides links to the Dell Solutions Center, Dell Services info, white papers, data sheets, and other resources
• Dell's Solaris on PowerEdge Servers Wiki*, which provides links to info such as the "Solaris 10 on PowerEdge" techsheet (which describes known issues) and "What's New in the Solaris 10 10/08 Release"
• SPECjbb2005 Performance and Power Consumption for Solaris 10 OS on Dell Servers (pdf)*, which provides test results from Principled Technologies for performance and power consumption of multi-processor AMD-based blade servers from Dell, HP, and IBM running the Solaris 10 OS from Sun; the Dell PowerEdge M905 blade server produced the strongest results

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