I have switched from Solaris Community express (a.k.a. Nevada build 86) to OpenSolaris 2008.05. It was a difficult decision to take as i was completely satisfied with Nevada and having lived with it since build 54 up to build 86.
But OpenSolaris is the future and the future begins today for me. This post is a step by step howto install OpenSolaris on a laptop. My laptop is a Toshiba Tecra M3, 1 cpu@2,1Ghz with 1GB Ram and 70GB hard disk.
A) Backup your PC.
Backup up took me about 1h
Here is my checklist:
- D partition (D is a common partition between Windows and Solaris)
- Thunderbird configuration : mail server and port
- Firefox bookmarks
- vsftab
- .bashrc
- .packingrules
- /etc/resolv.conf and /etc/nsswitch.conf
- your vpn configuration : client_backup -i /your_vpn_backup
B) Download OpenSolaris 2008.05
Download site is here.
and burn a CD.
Download and burn took me about 1h15.
C) Installation
The installation last for me about 1h45 (reboot included)
Insert the CD and boot over the CD: on my Toshiba, just after power on press the F12 key and select CD. The CD then goes live and you will be presented with an installation icon: click on it!
The system will try to find a Solaris partition. If it finds a Solaris partition, it will propose you to erase it. The installation is via a GUI and is very simple.
During the installation, you will be asked to enter a user account: i advise you to create {admin, admin}. This way, it will be easier for you later on to create via the GUI your own user, with specifics you want. For example, i had to create my own userid with uid which is the same (+10) of the one i have on the Swan. Mounting your home directory will be then without trouble.
D) Configuration
D)1) Mount the common partition beween Windows and OpenSolaris
Add the following line in /etc/vfstab
/dev/dsk/c4d0p2 - /D pcfs - yes -
D)2) Install the network driver
For my Toshiba Tecra M3, you have to use yukonx0 (yukon_xsol_x86v8.10.4.3.tar.z) (and not skge0 wich failed)
# pkgadd -d . YUKONXsol
By the way, you notice that with Opensolaris, the old packaging system is still compatible
D)3) Mount your home directory
Add the following line in /etc/vfstab:
sunlyon.france:/export/home3/dmerle - /HOME nfs no no -
D)4) OpenOffice installation
# pfexec pkg install openoffice
This is really cool! This is the new IPS packaging system: it goes over the network, get your bits and performs the installation. It took me about 20 minutes.
D)5) vpn installation
Package installation. To get the package, go here and then do a pkgadd:
# pkgadd -d SUNWpunchin-i386.pkg
# pkgadd -d ITpunchin.pkg
Restore your vpn configuration :
# /usr/local/bin/client_restore -i your_backup_directory/punchin.backup
Your vpn will be automatically put in your menu: Applications->Internet->IPsec Punchin VPN
D)6) Projector configuration
The external projector being connected, run the following command:
#xrandr --output VGA-0 --auto
Then you can configure the resolution with the menu : Applications->SystemTools->NVidia server settings
Click on "Detect Displays"
Select clone in one of the option (more here)
D)7) Install frkit, it will silent your PC
Get frkit here, save it and run the script as root. Reboot your PC
D)8) Network configuration
I had some trouble with nwam (Network auto magic). So i disable it and installed Ginet instead.
Nwam desactivation:
#svcadm disable nwam
#svcadm enable network:/default
Get Ginetmenu: see my previous post here
D)7) Update your OS:
#pfexec pkg image-update
It will create for you and alternate boot environment directly on ZFS! On next boot, you can choose the new updated BE. Really cool!!!
E) Opensolaris documentation
It's here.
You are nearly all set.
What is missing for me: i did not succeed to install FreeMind*, and the suspend resume is not working. I also did not have enough time to install Virtual Box.
*(For Freemind, i had to modify the freemind.sh script and bluntly set freedir=/opt )
But i am quite happy with OpenSolaris. Compiz is integrated, desktop is very nice, ZFS by default, containers, the new system installer and the new package management system (IPS). For those who want support, a support subscription is available.
