Increase service levels. Decrease costs. Reduce risks. Today, businesses are rethinking how they create, manage, extend, and ultimately deliver information technology (IT) services with greater functionality and reduced cost and complexity. Managing data center complexity from a services perspective lets businesses focus on choosing the right solution for the job at hand rather than managing individual systems.
Since its inception in 1982, Sun's vision and strategy has been the same: Connect everything
through network computing. Sun continues to leverage open standards and technologies, innovate on top of them, and create the types of systems customers demand.
For years, the Solaris Operating System (OS) has delivered the power, massive scalability,
high levels of security, and mainframe-class functionality that companies demand. The Solaris OS
is the leading UNIX environment -- and the choice for powering enterprise networks that need
to deliver information to networked users at any time, any place, on any platform.
Sun has also brought the industrial strength of the Solaris OS and the military-grade security
of the Trusted Solaris OS to x86-based systems. Providing the same functionality through a
common source code base, the Solaris OS delivers stability and innovation on both UltraSPARC
and x86-based systems.
Integration of the Sun Java System Directory Server and the Java 2 Platform,
Enterprise Edition (J2EE) technology-based
Sun Java System Application Server in the
Solaris 9 Operating System provides the
foundation for Network Identity Management.
Delivers the performance and stability to meet production database and file system
requirements -- with no incremental costs.
Provisioning and change management
provide secure installation and deployment of software stacks.
Solaris Containers, combined with Dynamic
System Domains, enable higher utilization
of system resources.
Provides out-of-the-box security solutions
and a fully integrated suite of security
services to deliver the highest levels of
security.
Champions the RAS lifestyle into every step
of the software development process.
Configuration services and Patch Manager,
combined with SunPlex systems, deliver
high service levels.
Applications run faster without recompiling
and recoding.
Compatibility with previous versions, and
built-in Linux compatibility, offer investment protection.
The Solaris OS has been optimized for
x86-based platforms, including Xeon and
Opteron servers, giving customers the
freedom to choose the solution that best
meets their business needs.
The Solaris 9 OS Is Scalable
Companies offering Web-based services can no longer predict how many customers might visit their sites. Today's companies need the ability to grow to support millions of new customers overnight.
The Solaris 9 Operating System is the third major release of the complete 64-bit computing environment tuned for Sun's powerful line of highly scalable 64-bit servers. The multithreaded, fully preemptible kernel delivers much faster performance for core system functions and enterprise applications. And with the new increased performance and scalability of the Solaris 9 OS, customers can immediately see an improvement in the price/performance ratio of their servers, thus, increasing the return on their investments.
The Solaris 9 OS offers the capabilities to scale and support massive systems and applications:
One million simultaneous processes on a single system
Up to 128 CPUs in a single system and 848 CPUs in a clustered
environment
Support for up to 576 GB of memory
More than four billion network connections
Up to 252 TB file systems with Sun StorEdge Performance Suite
software
IPv6, enabling a 128-bit IP address space
A 64-bit JavaTM virtual machineA 64-bit Java virtual machine
In addition, Solaris 9 software introduces a group of new features designed to increase system performance and scalability.
Solaris 9 Threads Model
By automatically utilizing an enhanced multi-threading library, applications on the Solaris 9 platform demonstrate greater scalability and an overall performance increase of up to 4 times. There are no changes to the interfaces and no need to recode applications.
Solaris 9 Memory Optimizer
Multiple Page Size Support. Applications can
use multiple page sizes ranging from 8 KB to
4 MB for different memory segments. This
increases performance by enhancing resource
efficiency and reducing overhead. No code
changes are needed, and page sizes are dynamically changed as an application executes.
Advanced Page Coloring. The Solaris 9 OS
includes enhancements to the algorithm
that controls virtual/physical memory pages
and how they are used. As a result, system
performance is increased for particularly
heavy user loads.
Memory Placement Optimization. Solaris 9
software is designed to optimize memory
management in the way that best suits the
particular servers on which it is running.
Memory Allocation. The Solaris OS now
allocates memory to user-level applications
much faster, and enables users to more easily
debug memory leaks in their applications.
UNIX File System (UFS) Enhancements
UFS Performance Enhancements. For databases created on a UFS
file system, UFS Concurrent Direct I/O provides near raw
device performance, leading to an 87-percent
improvement in TPC-C measurements on OLTP
workloads. UFS now has logging enabled by
default, ensuring fast file system recovery
and maximum performance -- much better
than third-party file systems.
Multiterabyte UFS. For 64-bit SPARC platforms, UFS now
supports much larger file systems -- up to 16 TB in size.
mkfs. Enhancements to the mkfs command
have dramatically reduced the time it takes
to create a UNIX file system; you can now
create a UNIX file system 96 times faster.
64-Bit Java Virtual Machine. With Java 2
Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) 1.4 software, users benefit from
full 64-bit support in the Java HotSpot virtual machine (VM). This
feature, combined with the Java HotSpot Server VM code optimizer,
has significantly improved Java performance.
The Solaris 9 OS Is Available
With businesses operating around the clock
and around the globe, organizations no longer
know when their customers might demand
their services. The reliability of the Solaris 9
Operating System increases users' confidence
that their long-running and resource-intensive
applications will execute without interruption.
The Solaris 9 OS is designed with a small, compact kernel that limits the exposure to errors that can crash a system. It is also designed with a clear distinction between the kernel, shared libraries, and applications, to further limit the impact of application failure. To deliver mainframe reliability with Internet agility, the Solaris 9 OS raises the bar for relia- bility, availability, and serviceability (RAS) by strengthening the following characteristics in every aspect of the development process.
Robust
Dynamic System Domains. The Solaris 9 OS
provides failure containment and high-level
control over system resource allocations in
electronically isolated partitions. Partition
boundaries can be adjusted on the fly to
rapidly adapt to changing workloads, or on
a scheduled basis to enable a resource shift
between applications. This helps improve
service levels economically.
Solaris Containers. Solaris Containers isolate software
applications or services using flexible,
software-defined boundaries. The Solaris 9
Resource Manager allows resources to be
dynamically allocated to applications.
Kernel and User Mode Separation. With the
kernel occupying a protected address space
and the user-level libraries and applications
occupying separate user address spaces, it is
extremely difficult for a user error to cause a
system failure. This significantly enhances
system availability.
Kernel and Device Driver Hardening. The
kernel and device drivers are further hardened
by identifying and eliminating panics and
kernel memory leaks. The new device driver
testing framework enables developers to
stress drivers and simulate hardware failures
to further validate that the drivers can handle
unforeseeable circumstances.
Recoverable
File System Logging. By reducing file system
check times during reboot, the Solaris 9 OS
increases recoverability.
NFS Failover. With NFS Failover, client systems can retry
network file access on an alternate
server when the primary server fails.
Network Multipathing. The Network Multi-pathing feature allows
multiple network connections to provide load balancing and failover.
Sun StorEdge Traffic Manager. The Solaris 9
OS supports multiple paths for I/O devices,
such as SCSI- and Fiber Channel-accessible
storage, for load balancing and failover.
Manageable
Dynamic Reconfiguration. Dynamic Reconfiguration enables system
configurations to be changed without rebooting, minimizing
planned and unplanned downtime.
Solaris Live Upgrade. The Solaris OS can be
upgraded while the system is still running, significantly reducing the
usual service outage time associated with standard upgrades. Enhancements
to the Solaris Live Upgrade Boot Environment allow Solaris JumpStart
software to automatically create boot environments during install time,
resulting in a faster Solaris Live Upgrade copy process.
Observable
Modular Debugger Framework. The Modular Debugger mdb is an
extensible utility that enables low-level debugging and editing of
the live OS.
Kernel Analysis Tools. The Solaris 9 OS provides a comprehensive
set of "on-the-fly" kernel analysis tools. kstat, lockstat, prstat, and
cpustat provide statistics and parameters for the kernel, file locks,
process status, and CPU utilization, respectively. truss can be used to
wrap an application so that all of its system
calls can be observed externally.
Availability With Sun Cluster 3.0
Sun Cluster software, available separately, provides continuous access to services via Global Network and File Services. Data, networks, and devices are available to all domains in the SunPlex systems as well as to applications running on any domain.
The Solaris 9 OS Is Manageable
As IT infrastructures grow increasingly larger
and more complex, IT organizations must opti-
mize for efficiency. Deploying and redeploying
servers is a daily event. To stay ahead, businesses today must manage IT growth while at
the same time reducing complexity and management costs. The Solaris 9 Operating System
provides a rich set of management facilities
that can simplify the process of securely
installing and deploying the software stack,
resulting in lower cost of operation.
Solaris Containers and Resource Management
Solaris Containers create an execution environment within a single instance of the Solaris OS, providing resource isolation. This approach simplifies service provisioning and makes it easier to consolidate applications onto fewer servers while maintaining quality of service (QoS).
Solaris Containers are enabled by Solaris 9 Resource Manager software, which is integrated into the Solaris 9 OS. It consists of a set of resource management and network QoS features. Solaris 9 Resource Manager enables administrators to allocate system and network resources to multiple users, groups, or applications to provide more predictable service levels.
Customers can set and enforce policies that control and monitor how resources are used, and generate extended accounting information for billing or chargeback purposes. Solaris 9 Resource Manager redefines the traditional single application system model and offers a better solution by enabling server consolidation to reduce service costs while delivering more predictable service levels.
Data Management
In the Solaris 9 OS, new features are introduced to help manage the data that gives a company its competitive advantage.
Solaris Volume Manager. The Solaris Volume Manager
storage management tool, which now includes a GUI, is integrated into the
Solaris 9 OS. It enables users to manage large numbers of disks into logical
volumes. Solaris Volume Manager has been enhanced to support disks larger
than 1 TB in size. Solaris Live Upgrade makes it much easier for
customers to adopt Solaris Volume Manager because Solaris Live Upgrade
greatly simplifies migration from other volume managers
to Solaris Volume Manager. Reconfiguration
Coordination Manager (RCM) support is integrated in Solaris Volume
Manager, allowing the safe removal of disks through Dynamic
Reconfiguration (DR) requests.
Soft Disk Partitions. The soft disk partitions
feature increases the number of file systems
per device from eight to thousands. Partitions
can also be created on top of previously
defined logical volumes, giving administrators
additional flexibility in configuring and
managing the volumes.
UFS Snapshot. With UFS snapshot, the Solaris 9 OS provides an onlin
e backup mechanism
by creating a point-in-time image of the file
systems. It helps eliminate downtime or
offline time previously required to guarantee
a consistent backup.
System Management
Administration. The Solaris 9 OS provides
a wide range of administration tools that assist both user and system
administration tasks. It provides command line tools and GUIs for managing
users, resources, and disk storage.
Patch Management. Solaris Patch Manager
offers the most comprehensive patch management features for the Solaris OS.
Administrators now can analyze the patch state ofa system and automatically
download the recommended patches. The patches are provided with the install
order necessary to accommodate patch dependencies and can use the tools on
local and remote systems. All patches delivered via Solaris Patch Manager
are digitally signed, helping ensure that the patches are from Sun and have
not been altered in transmission.
Monitoring and Management. Sun Management Center provides a
powerful, easy-to-use single management point for all Sun servers and
storage, independent of
geographic location. System administrators can perform remote system
configuration and performance monitoring, and isolate hardware and software
faults through a single interface. Sun Management Center easily integrates
with enterprise management frameworks, and provides a central facility for
managing events and alarms, automated responses, and diagnostics.
Solaris Provisioning Services
Solaris Web Start. Solaris Web Start software simplifies the
installation, setup, and administration of applications written for both
Solaris and Java technology-based environments with point-and-click ease
of use.
Solaris Flash. Solaris Flash makes it easy to provision large
numbers of servers having similar configurations. It enables administrators
to create a single reference installation of the entire software stack
and replicate the installation on a numbers of servers. Solaris Flash
reduces installation time and configuration complexity, and simplifies
the process of redeployment to support different service levels as customer
demands change.
Solaris Live Upgrade. Solaris Live Upgrade
provides a mechanism to install a Solaris
image on an inactive boot environment
while the active boot environment is fully functional. A simple reboot
will migrate the system to the updated environment when the process is
finished. This significantly reduces the downtime associated with system
updates, as well as providing "roll-back" capability for updates.
Solaris JumpStart Software. With Solaris
JumpStart software, installation of the Solaris OS can be automated for
machines locally or across the network.
Secure WAN Boot. Sun's new secure WAN boot technology provides
mechanisms that enable system administrators to boot and install new or
upgrade systems over the Internet. It further enhances system scalability
by enabling administrators to remotely install multiple duplicate systems,
such as Web servers or application servers, over geographically dispersed
areas.
Sun Management Center Change Manager.
Available separately, Sun Management Center Change Manager extends Solaris
platform functionality by offering advanced provisioning capabilities.
It delivers a fast and easy way to install, upgrade, and audit the software
on your systems. Change Manager enables today's business to quickly and
easily provision software stacks to their servers by providing automated
tools for installation or upgrade of hundreds of servers at a
time -- while the systems continue to operate. This can save IT costs and
minimize disruptions of services. Sun Management Center Change Manager has
an easy-to-use Web browser interface as well as a command line interface
(CLI) for experienced system administrators.
User Management. The Java System Directory Server is integrated
into the Solaris 9 OS. It creates an LDAP-based environment that can
scale to millions of users. A transition kit is available to help ease
migration from NIS+ to LDAP. Also, the secure LDAP client has been
enhanced to support various encryption mechanisms, including DIGEST-MD5 and
SSL, enabling secure password management through the Java System Directory
Server.
The Solaris 9 OS Is Secure
The Solaris Operating System has been built to
securely interconnect with other systems and
to be more secure from the viruses and worms
that plague software designed without security
and networking in mind. These aspects of
network and platform security are critical --
whether building an enterprise network or
providing services to millions of users over the
Internet. The Solaris 9 OS includes a number
of new security features.
Network Security
The network security provided by the Solaris 9 OS helps ensure secure authentication over the network, secure remote access, secure network connections that can't be snooped, and protection from network-based attacks.
Solaris Secure Shell. Solaris Secure Shell software enables
strong authentication - of both client and server machines as well as
users -- for use in remote access solutions. It also provides encryption
for privacy using the 3DES, AES, and Blowfish algorithms. It is compatible
with other Secure Shell protocol implementations.
IPSec With Internet Key Exchange (IPSec/IKE). The IPSec standard
provides data integrity, privacy, and authentication of network
traffic between servers for both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. IKE provides a
standards-based mechanism for exchange of encryption keying
material and digital certificates for use on IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
Encryption is transparent to applications, and as such requires
no changes to the customer experience. IPSec/IKE features DES, 3DES, AES
(256-bit), and Blowfish (448-bit) encryption -- all approved for export and
use worldwide -- and is compatible with other IPSec/IKE implementations.
SunScreen 3.2. Software. SunScreen 3.2
software is a high-speed, stateful packet filtering firewall offering
advanced features that protect a single system or an entire network of
servers. It is now included with the Solaris 9 OS at no extra charge.
Kerberos Single Sign-On Environment. The Solaris Enterprise
Authentication Mechanism server and client is included in the Solaris 9 OS
to provide single sign-on capabilities for servers and applications.
Kerberos-enabled versions of telnet, r* commands, and more are available as
a free download from the Sun Download Center.
TCP Wrappers. Based on open source, TCP Wrappers provide a means
of protecting your server from incoming traffic. Connections can be limited
by DNS domains, IP addresses, or by substituting wild cards for part of the
domains or addresses.
Platform Security
The platform security features in the Solaris 9 OS support server and cluster hardening through:
SSL-encrypted LDAP authentication for native login
Role-based access control (RBAC)
Kernel Pseudo Random Number Generator
Disable stack execution
Modular software packaging
Extensive higher performance auditing with XML output
Pluggable algorithms for password encryption
(Crypt, MD5, and Blowfish included)
Smart card authentication support
Secure by default file permissions
Free Solaris Fingerprint Database for file integrity verification
Free Solaris Security Toolkit for proven system hardening
Compatibility
Compatibility is one of the hallmarks of the
Solaris Operating System, and is key to enabling
customers to move up the hardware product
line without having to port or recompile their
applications. Solaris software supports a public
application binary interface (ABI) which guarantees that conforming applications will run on
all Sun servers without modification.
SolCAT: Solaris Compatibility Assurance Toolkit
he Solaris Compatibility Assurance Toolkit (SolCAT) is a collection of tools and services, including the Sun Guarantee Test Suite and the Certification Test Suite, to help customers and ISVs easily and seamlessly ensure that their applications will run on the latest version of Solaris software.
Linux Compatibility
In today's world of heterogeneous computing, compatibility leads to efficiency. Combining the Linux community with thousands of Solaris software developers and nearly three million Java and XML software developers, Sun provides customers with unified access to the broadest array of innovation in the industry on which to provide services. In the Solaris 9 OS, more Linux applications, tools, and APIs are made available.
API Compatibility. Common libraries and build environments, such
as libxml, glib, and GTK+, are integrated in the Solaris OS to streamline
source code development across Linux and Solaris environments.
Application Compatibility. Common Linux applications, such as
Samba, Apache, Linux (GNU) commands, etc., are included in the Solaris 9
OS. The Solaris Software Companion CD has an even more comprehensive set of
free software.
Now Available for x86 and AMD Opteron Platforms
Sun extends Solaris software's value to x86
and AMD Opteron systems by providing the
same benefits and features as available on
SPARC systems. This makes the Solaris OS
(x86 Platform Edition) well-suited for companies
that have already invested in Solaris software
expertise and commercial Solaris applications;
that need a predictable release and update
process with an application compatibility
guarantee; and that want Solaris source code
access - all while still leveraging standard
x86 and AMD Opteron system hardware and
common management tools. Applications
that need even higher levels of security than
those found in the Solaris OS can also take
advantage of Trusted Solaris software on x86
and AMD Opteron systems.
Modern Desktop
The GNOME 2.0 Desktop takes desktop
computing on the Solaris Operating System
to an entirely new level. It not only provides
an easy-to-use, appealing interface, but also
a wealth of productivity tools and utilities to
help users get their work done efficiently.
For Sun SPARC systems, please see the Solaris 9 Sun Hardware Platform Guide on docs.sun.com. In general, the Solaris 8 and 9 Operating Systems run on the same Sun systems as the Solaris 2.5.1, 2.6 and 7 Operating Systems, with the exception of 600MP, SPARCstation Voyager, and SPARCstation 1/1+/2/IPC/IPX/ELC/SLC systems. In addition, the Solaris 9 OS does not run on SPARCcenter 2000 or SPARCserver 1000 systems.
Customers who need to run the Solaris 8 OS on Sun system models introduced after May 2002 may require a platform-specific release; please see the documentation associated with those systems for details.
