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The following are Solaris 2.x Software
Installation tips.
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Installing Software
Removing Software
Installing Software
Installing software in Solaris 2.x has become very easy and
I should be able to explain the process in a simple paragraph
or two. First, a short discussion on the software or package
format for Solaris 2.x. Applications for Solaris 2.x should
be in package format and installed using the pkgadd command.
Software packages are nothing more than files and directories
in a defined format bound by an Application Binary Interface.
The Solaris operating system interprets these packages and
installs the associated software. Using the software package
format and pkgadd/pkgrm utilities to add and remove software
allow the system to maintain a database of all applications
installed. This database is then later used if a particular
application is to be removed from the system. It is no longer
necessary for the administrator of a system to keep track
of all locations an application is to. Instead, the database
is updated when an application is installed and subsequently
updated when the package is removed without prior knowledge
from the administrator as to where on the system the application
was installed.
To install software using the pkgadd utility,
follow the steps outlined below.
- Obtain the software media, whether on cdrom, tape or
even floppy.
- Once you have access to the package file, usually in the
form of SUNWxxx for Sun specific packages, you issue the
pkgadd command, ie:
# pkgadd -d . SUNWxxxx
This example will install the package SUNWxxx from the current
directory. You could replace the (.) with the full pathname
to the location of the package. You may also place after the
(-d), the actuall device name from which the package is to
be installed, ie. /floppy/floppy0 or /cdrom/cdrom0 if installing
from the floppy or cdrom while using the standard volume manager
bundled with Solaris 2.x.
The installation of the software package will now continue.
If any after installation tasks are required, they will be
outlined in the application installation directions.
Note: Most packages other than OS specific software packages
will install themselves in the /opt directory. This is commonly
referred to as the optional software directory for unbundled
software. If you wish to override this default installation
location you must edit the admin file associated with software
package installations. The file to modify is the default file
located in the /var/sadm/install/admin directory. The following
is a default file taken from a newly installed Solaris system:
#ident "@(#)default 1.4 92/12/23 SMI" /* SVr4.0
1.5.2.1 */
mail=
instance=unique
partial=ask
runlevel=ask
idepend=ask
rdepend=ask
space=ask
setuid=ask
conflict=ask
action=ask
basedir=default
Without discussing every option above; you simply change
basedir=default to basedir=ask This will then prompt the user
for the installation directory instead of relying on the default
location specified by the person who assembled the package.
Removing Software
To remove software packages no longer needed you use the pkgrm
command. Simply type the following at the command prompt and
the package and software package database will be updated
to reflect any changes.
# pkgrm SUNWxxx
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If you have any problems that do not appear or can be found
via this guide, please feel free to contact Star Systems Engineering,
Inc. by emailing support@starinc.com.
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