Software Release Definitions and Entitlements for Solaris OS

Solaris Definitions

Solaris Named Releases

Solaris Named Releases include significant functionality changes. Although Solaris Named Releases may have kernel improvements, no changes are made to the Solaris Application Binary Interface. Solaris Named Releases have a number change such as Solaris 9 to Solaris 10. These releases occur approximately every 2 to 3 years.

Solaris Updates

For each Solaris Named Release, Sun may offer several Solaris Updates; these are designed to provide new functionality in a controlled manner. Although new functionality may be present, no interface changes or major changes to any existing feature code are included. The result of these controls is binary compatibility between Solaris Updates of the same Solaris Named Release. Solaris Updates contain the software packages included in a Solaris Named Release, and may include Software Updates. Solaris Updates may also contain new software. A licensee can use a Solaris Update to install the Solaris OS on a new system or to upgrade a system that is already running an older Solaris Named Release. In either case a license and entitlement must be obtained from Sun. Solaris Updates are identified by a date after the related release number, e. g. Solaris 9 9/05 OS.

Software Updates

Formerly referred to as patches, Software Updates include fixes and features for Solaris in the form of Security Updates, New Hardware Driver Updates, Data Corruption Updates, Availability Updates, Non-Critical Updates and Feature Updates. These are updates that fix (or patch) existing software components by revising or adding a new feature.

OpenSolaris Definitions

OpenSolaris Named Releases

OpenSolaris Named Releases include significant functionality changes. OpenSolaris Named Releases have a version associated with the YYYY.MM format (for example, OpenSolaris 2008.05).  The OpenSolaris community targets releasing an OpenSolaris Named Release every 6 months.

OpenSolaris Updates

Sun does not expect the community to release any updates to OpenSolaris akin to Solaris Updates, at this time.  Existing installs may be upgraded to newer OpenSolaris Named Releases as and when they are made available approximately every 6 months.

OpenSolaris Package Updates

OpenSolaris Package Updates include fixes and features for OpenSolaris in the form of Security Updates, New Hardware Driver Updates, Data Corruption Updates, Availability Updates, Non-Critical Updates and Feature Updates. These are package updates that fix one or more existing software components by revising or adding a new feature or features. To receive some OpenSolaris Package Updates, upgrades to subsequent OpenSolaris Named Releases may be required.

OpenSolaris Package Updates do not include freely available updates accessible from the OpenSolaris community.  OpenSolaris Package Updates only include those updates made available directly from Sun Microsystems to customers with a current Sun Service Plan (such as, SunSpectrum Service Plan, OpenSolaris Subscriptions, or Sun Software Service Plan).

Note: In the Service Lists the Software Enhancement Releases and the Maintenance Releases refer to Solaris Named Releases and Solaris Updates, respectively.

Solaris Entitlement

The Solaris OS Software License Agreement (SLA for Solaris 10) and the Solaris OS Binary Code License (BCL for Solaris 8 and 9) when combined with the appropriate entitlement documents entitle the customer to use the Solaris OS software (and the related Solaris Updates, where appropriate) under the respective terms of the licenses. Neither the SLA nor the BCL entitle a Customer to use subsequent Solaris Named Releases or Software Updates for the Solaris OS. Rather, a Sun Service Plan or other license is required in order to use Solaris Named Releases and Software Updates for the Solaris OS. The right to use Solaris Named Releases for Solaris 10 OS may be obtained by registering the system with Sun.

Customers with a current Sun Service Plan (such as SunSpectrum Service Plan, Solaris Subscriptions, or Sun Software Service Plan) are entitled to use Solaris Named Releases and Software Updates for the Solaris OS to the extent of the Service Plan (i.e., only for covered systems). For further information on the features of Sun's Service Plans including a description of the Technical Support deliverables, visit Sun Software Service Plans and SunSpectrum Service Plans.

OpenSolaris Entitlement

The OpenSolaris Binary Code License Agreement entitles the customer to use the OpenSolaris OS software and OpenSolaris Package Updates under the respective terms of the license.

For further information on the features of Sun's Service Plans related to OpenSolaris including a description of the technical support deliverables, visit Sun Software Service Plans and SunSpectrum Service Plans.

OpenSolaris Binary Code License