Non-Disruptive Solaris 10 x86 Installation (Using VMware)
No Partitioning!
No Boot Managers!
No CD Burning!
Looking for a quick and easy way to install Solaris 10 on your laptop or desktop PC, without repartioning your existing drive? Installing Solaris in a VMware "Virtual Machine" may be the answer.
While I've personally configured my laptop for triple boot (JDS, Solaris 10, and Windows XP), I find that by using VMware Workstation I can quickly test out a new version of an operating system with minimal disruption to my current environment. I can also use VMware to run a Windows XP and Solaris 10 session at the same time, allowing for some pretty interesting real-time interoperability demonstrations (ie: access a Sun Java Enterprise System Portal through an Internet Explorer Browser).
Requirements:
- Windows XP or Linux (ie: JDS as
VMware Host)
- VMware Workstation 4.5
- 4GB of Free Disk Space (Minimum)
- 256MB of Memory (Minimum)
Preparation:
Step 1 - DOWNLOAD VMware Workstation 4.5
Step 2 - Register for 30-day trial or purchase a license
Step 3 - DOWNLOAD Latest Software Express ISO Images (Fully Functional Solaris 10 Preview) - FREE!!
Installing and Configuring VMware:
Step 4 - Install VMware Workstation
Step 5- Create a new Virtual Machine using the Wizard. See VMware documentation for details on options available.
(Hint: With the exception of Disk Capacity, most Virtual Machine configuration options can be changed later, many
can even be changed at run time.)
Installing Solaris 10 into a Virtual Machine:
Step 6 - Point virtual CD-ROM device to Software Express ISO Images:
a) Click "Edit virtual machine settings"
b) Choose "CD-ROM" from device list
c) Select the "Use ISO Image" radio button
d) Click "Browse" button and choose first Software Express ISO Image
e) Click "Ok"
Step 7 - Click "Start this virtual machine" to begin the installation process. Follow the Solaris x86 installation process.
(Hint: Choose Manual Eject for CD-ROM and Manual Reboot. Unmap ISO image, from virtual machine settings, before reboot.)
Step 8 - After reboot you'll be prompted to insert next CD-ROM. To remap virtual CD-ROM drive while virtual machine is running, choose VM-->Settings, and repeat steps 6b-6e.
(Hint: Use Ctrl-Alt key sequence to bring mouse focus back to guest environment.)
Posted by Phil Wiggins on November 01, 2004 at 02:09 PM PST #