Solaris eXpress Developer Edition 1/08 on Gentoo with VMware
In fact it's quite easy, the whole stuff. I've used a 2.6.24-gentoo-r3 kernel and vmware server 1.0.4.
1. virtual what ? vmware
First you need to install vmware, I'm using vmware-server, so it comes to simply:
emerge vmware-server
Depending on your architecture you might need to supply the corresponding keyword in your /etc/portage/package.keywords
Next, you need to run the setup script like
/opt/vmware/server/bin/vmware-config.pl
The only tricky question is that about the serial number, for the others you could just use defaults. In order to get a (list of) serial number just fill out this form
Add your user to the vmware group if you've not done that already:
gpasswd -a username vmware
Now all is left is to recompile yout kernel and reboot. Just keep in mind that you need both "Module unloading" and "Automatic kernel module loading" built in in your kernel (both are in Loadable module support").
2. the dawn of a new day pre-solaris
Download the lastest dvd image from here (cd images are also an option, but they require some extra tweaking of vmware later) and start up vmware. Connect to localhost (or a remote one if that's where you want to install solaris).
Create a new virtual machine, keep clicking next until you are asked for the type of the operating system you want to install, select sun solaris and choose solaris 10. Next specify the location for the virtual machine. I've used a folder on my external usb drive (the user running vmware must have writing permissions in the location you choose). Keep going until you're asked for the network settings, there choose "Use network address translation (NAT)" on the next screen select how much space you want to give to the virtual machine. 8 GB is the default but that's the absolute minimum for solaris, 20 GB is recommended and I advise you to spare at least 30. Be sure to have "Allocate all disk space now" checked, it will surely proove useful in the long run. For all the choices I did not mention(they are not that many in fact) you'd better use defaults.
Now you would surely like to allocate some more memory to this vm, the default is 512. The graphical isntaller in sxde 1/08 needs at least 768, otherwise it won't even boot, and you'll be left with the console. It's better to allocate some more ram, but don't overdo it if you don't have more than 1,5 GB yourself.
In the devices section double click the cd-rom, select "Use ISO image" in the right of the window and navigate to the iso image you downloaded earlier.
Let's rock! time to click the big green button and install the darn thing at last =]
3. and the sun shall shine upon us solaris
ctrl-alt releases the cursor at any time from the virtual machine, and F11 toggles quick switch mode on and off
The first choice in the boot menu is good enough for the lot of you. If you don't like waiting press 1 for solaris interactive (default) and then F2 for us english layout (default again). Move on, select your installation language (english is a good choice), your time zone, double check the time and date. Think a root password and enter it twice. Accept the terms of use. I've not tried localization, I just don't like it when my computer speaks any other language than english... You might still want to include the localization packs for your native language. It is not documented anywhere but the username you choose must NOT be longer than 8 characters. Otherwise the installation will crash and you wоn't be able to track down the error no matter how hard you try ;)
Since it's a virtual machine you are given the needless choice of whether to use the entire disc or just a partition. It's all up to you, but don't bother it's the space you've already allocated for this vm and it will not mess up your hard drive.
Well, what are you waiting for ? Install it already :) and reboot into your new system once installation is complete. Oh, don't forget to "eject" the iso-image - right click on the optical drive icon in the lower right corner of vmware and "disconnect".
It might seem tough now but it actually is not, go on and give solaris a try !
Posted at 12:30AM May 27, 2008 by Georgi Kehaiov in Sun | Comments[0]