Solaris

Overview

Solaris is a UNIX based operating system that was developed by Sun Microsystems in 1992. This operating system includes a mix of open source and closed source technology. Ten versions of Solaris have been released in the market. The first version was released in June 1992, and the latest version was released in October 2009. Solaris is compatible with the Java Desktop System and the Common Desktop Environment (CDE) in addition to platforms including Scalable Processor Architecture (SPARC), x86, and x86-64. Solaris has a monolithic kernel.

UNIX served as a basis for various innovative features including ZFS and DTRACE and features symmetric multi processing, which allows for simultaneous support of multiple systems. UNIX was originally designed to be distributed for profit, but today, it is released under an open source license, which states that the operating system can be used, modified, and redistributed free of charge.

Solaris is used to create stable systems for data centers, databases, and computer-aided design applications. The operating system is also used for file servers, Internet servers, and Intranet servers.

Benefits

There are various benefits to using Solaris as an operating system. Solaris is best suited for specific applications that benefit from multiple processor environments. This way, many computing needs can be connected to a single batch of memory. In terms of scalability, Solaris is better than Windows or Linux.

Although Solaris works best on a Sun SPARC processor, it also runs on other processors as long as they are built on an x86 model. Intel and AMD manufacture processors on an x86 model. Solaris has an extensive support community, and you can easily find answers to potential problems. You can even find inexpensive options for formal technical support services.

How It Works

Special features with Solaris include ZFS, DTRACE, SMF, virtualization, image packaging, and Solaris Trusted Extensions. The operating system has extensive features for databases and Solaris containers. File System and Logical Volume Management System (ZFS) support a high storage capacity and volume management. DTRACE is a dynamic tracing system that troubleshoots application and kernel problems in real time.

Solaris OS has a service management facility (SMF) that has a configurable boot verbosity and automatic restart after failure. Solaris containers (also known as Solaris Zones) are a combination of system resource controls and boundary separations.

Solaris has open storage software that allows for storage solutions development using open source programs. Another feature is virtualization, which merges several applications into one system. Solaris delivers high performance networking to its applications and has an Image Packaging System that allows you to install and receive fast updates. Solaris Volume Manager is a software package that is used to create, modify, and control Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID).