A binary distribution is a big issue!

A binary distribution is a big issue!

Sun has released a binary distribution called OpenSolaris 2008.05. Let me give you some background. Over the last few years, the number of OSS users has been increasing. However, creating source code build environments is cumbersome for the people who just want to use software.

In addition, binary for verification of behaviors is essential for developers who create applications that run on OpenSolaris to guarantee stable behavior. This means that binary distribution is inevitably significant to increase the number of users and applications running on OpenSolaris.

Although broadband has become hugely popular, many people may feel it is a challenge to download multiple gigabytes (a DVD-size) of binary data. It is, therefore, important that its size is as small as possible and can be downloaded from multiple sites. For Linux distribution models, a good deal of thought is given to such matters.

Launch of OpenSolaris 2008.05

We now briefly explain the features of the OpenSolaris 2008.05.

The OpenSolaris 2008.05 is contained on a single CD-ROM. This helps those who feel reluctant to download DVD images from Web sites to easily gain access to it. Since it is free to redistribute licenses of these binaries, they are expected to be available from a variety of routes in the future. OpenSolaris 2008.05 binary is distributed as an ISO image of bootable LiveCD.

An initial install of the OpenSolaris 2008.05 only contains bare minimum packages. Therefore, you need to add a development environment, office tools and the like later. Additional software is provided by the new Image Packaging System (IPS). The IPS allows you to search network-based software repositories for additional packages and download your desired software package. It also automatically installs it.

The aforementioned ZFS is the root file system of the OpenSolaris 2008.05. The snapshot and rollback features of the ZFS make it easy to restore the system to a previous state that existed before you added a patch or package. Depending on your own imagination, you can make good use of it, for example, by switching multiple boot environments. A new command, beadm, is provided that allows you to easily operate multiple boot environments.

The desktop environment for OpenSolaris 2008.05 is GNOME. Furthermore, OpenSolaris 2008.05 is set up to use bash as the default shell and to give precedence to /usr/gnu/bin as shell's PATH environment variable. Thus, its desktop environment has been designed not to make those who are familiar with Linux environment uncomfortable.

We plan to update it approximately every six months.