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The Solaris Distributed ComputingSolution
The operating system is a set of programs that manages all computer operations and provides an interface between the user and the system resourves.
Kernel
Shell
File structure
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The kernel is the core of the operating system. The kernel performs thefollowing functions:
Manages devices, memory, processes, and deamons
Controls the functions (transmission of information) between the system programs (utilities) and the system hardware
Schedules and executes all commands
Manages functions such as:
Swap space - A reserved part of the disk for the kernel to use during processing
Daemons - Processes that perform particular system tasks
File sustems - A hierarchy of directories, subdirectories, and files
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Hardware
Kernel
Shell
CPU
Shells
The shell interface
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OS Shells
There are three shells available in the Solaris environment:
Bourne shell ($) - The default shell for the Solaris computing environment. The Bourne shell was developed for the AT&T UNIX
environment.
Korn shell ($) - A superset of the Bourne shell. It adds features like aliasing, history and command-line editing.
C shell (%) - The C shell syntax is similar to the C programming language; hence, its name. The C shell has similar features to Kornshell.
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The File System Structure
Root (/)
Usr Opt Dev Etc Export Kernel
Bin litHome genunix
User1 User2 User3
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The File System Structure (Continued)
The topmost directory is called the root (/) directory, and it is the starting point of the file system hierarchy
The root directory is required for the operating system to fuction, and containscritical systems files such as the kernel (/kernel/geunix). It is also contains:
The /usr directory which contains executable commands, system adminis--tration utilities, and library routines.
The /etc directory which contains system administration files such as thepasswd and hosts files.
The /opt directory which contains unbundled and third-party software apllications.
The /export/home directory contains users' home directories.
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Virtual Memory Operating System - Swap Space
A virtual memory operating system enables applications to run as if thereis more memory available than physically exists. It does this by using diskspace as temporary memory storage. This disk space is referred to as swap space.
Deamons
Deamons are also important to the functionality of the operating system.Deamons are programs that run in the background to manage system functions such as printing.
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Main Capability of the Solaris 2.x OperatingSystem
Terminology
Characteristics
Distributed processing
Clientprocess
Serverprocess
Clientprocess
Host 1 Host 2
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Terminology
The difinitions of commons terms used by system administrators are:
Host - A computer system
Host name - A unique name for a system.
IP address - A number used by networking software to identify machines attached to the network.
Client - A host or process that uses the services from one or moresevers on a network.
Server - A host or process that provides resources to one of more clients on the network.
Network - A group of computers that, in an environment, areconnected using Ethernet.
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Solaris 2.x Client-Server Environment Multitasking - Enables more than one process or application to be used
at the same time
Multiuser - Enables more than one user to access the same system resources
Distributed processing - Enables the use of resources across the network
Ethernet
WorkstationWorkstationIBM Compatible
IBM Compatible
Modem
Fax
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The Client-Server Model for Networked Workstation
A server is a host or a process that provides services on the network.
A client is a host or a process that makes use of services made available on the network.
A file server is a machine that shares its disk storage and files with other machines on the network.
An NIS+ (or NIS) server supplies the NIS+ (Network Information Service Plus)or the NIS (Network Information Service) database to its clients.
A print server makes its local printer available to other machines on the network.
A mail server receives mail.
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Network Workstation Capabilities
NFS distributed file system
Domain Name Service
Network Information Services (NIS/NIS+)
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NFS Distribited File System
The network physically connects machines to enable communication between systems. The NFS distibuted file system enable files to be shared across the network.
Common reacd-only file systems can be shared over the network (or between systems) sothat they only take up space on a single workstation.
Home directories can be made available over the network so that users can sit in front ofany workstation and access their own files.
Workstations with minimum disk space can use it for their root and swap partitions, and get the rest of their executables and data files from other systems.
Workstations with no local disks can boot from a remote system over the network.
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Domain Name System
The Domain Name Service (DNS) is a distributed look-up service for host names and
addresses. It is structured according to manageable collections of this data called
domains. The purpose is to allow a host to contact any arbitrary host withoutmaintaining host name and address information about that remote host in some local
resource.
Although the DNS database format differs somewhat from the local hosts' databases (/etc/hosts, NIS, or NIS+), the DNS databases contain the same essential information: host name and IP address.
Though it supports the complex, worldwide hierarchy of computers on the Internet, the basic function of DNS is actually very simple: providing name-to-address resolution for Transmission Control Protocol (TCP/IP)-based networks.
To get the remote computers address, the DNS software running on your machine, which is considered a DNS client, sends a request to DNS name server, which maintains the distributed DNS database.
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NISNIS is a distributed name service. It is a machanism for identifying and locatingnetwork objects (hosts) and resources (databases, servers). It provides a uniformstorage and retrieval method for intranet-wide information.
NIS was developed independently of DNS and has a slightly different focus. NISfocuses on making network administration more manageable by providing centralizedcontrol over a variety of network information.
The NIS name space stores information about:
Machine names and addresses
Users
The network
Network services
The NIS domain cannot be connected directly to the Internet using just NIS.
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NIS+
NIS+ is a network name service similar to NIS but with more features. It is not an extension of NIS, but rather a new software program.
NIS+ enables you to store information about workstation addresses, security information, mail information, Ethernet interfaces, and network services in centrallocations where all workstations in a network domain have access to it. Each domainis supported by a set of servers. The principal server is called the master server and the backup servers are called replicas.
Some major advantages NIS+ has over NIS are:
Secure data access
Heirarchical and decentralized network administration
Very large name space administration
Access to resources across domains
Incremental updates
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Solaris System Configurations
Client systems
Diskless
AutoClient
JavaStation
Standalones
Servers
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DisklessA diskless client is a workstation without any disk; users must rely on another
system for the programs they need and for file storage space. Because it is a workstation, a diskless client has its own Central processing unit (CPU) and physicalmemory and does its own local processing.
AutoClientAlthough similar to the diskless client, the AutoClient has local disk storage
which it uses for swapping and for caching its root (/) and /usr file systems. (Cachingis locally storing copies of data as it is referenced.) An AutoClient can access the root (/) and /usr file systems using the cache if the server becomes unavailable.
JavaStationThis type of client was developed for "zero administration". All administration is
handled by the local network servers including booting, cinfiguration, and data storage.
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StandaloneA standalone configuration does not need the support of any other computer
system to boot up, although it may access files from another system if it is on a networkA standalone system has its own disk, and it may also have its own tape device andCD-ROM drive.
ServerA server system is normally a standalone configuration system with resources that
can be accessed by other systems on the network.Server must have local disks and typically have a tape drive and a CD-ROM drive.Servers may also have one or more printers attached.
Server Keyboard
Server System Configurations
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Software Grouping
Packages
Software clusters
Software configuration clusters
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Packages
A software package is a group of files and directories. For examples, all files anddirectories related to the on-line manual (man) pages are in a package called SUNWman.
Software Clusters
During installation, the software packages are grouped into software clusters,which are logical collections of software packages.
For example, the Common Desktop Environment (CDE) cluster includes the following packages:
SUNWdtab SUNWdthedSUNWdtmad SUNWeudhrSUNWdtbas SUNWdthevSUNWdtrme SUNWeudhs
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Software Configuration ClustersThe SunInstall utility groups the software packages and clusters into four configuration clusters.
Configurations SizesConfiguration sizes are based upon the machine type and the number of disklessclients to be supported by the system. During the installation, the recommededsizes for each software configuration cluster are given, based on there parameters.
End User
Developer
Entire
Entire Distribution
Distribution
Plus OEM
Core
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Software Configuration Clusters
Core
This configuration contains the software needed to boot and run the Solaris 2.xenvironment.
End User
This configuration contains the software a user needs to run the Solaris 2.x environment. It includes the OpenWindows Version 3.x and the CommonDesktop Environment software but not the man pages.
Developer
This configuration contains the software needed to develop software in the Solaris 2.x environment. It includes compiler tools, CDE and OpenWindows, andthe man pages.
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Software Configuration Clusters
Entire Distribution and Entire Distribution Plus OEM
This Entire Distribution configuration contains the entire Solaris 2.x release. TheEntire Distribution plus OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) support contains extended hardware support in addition to the entire Solaris 2.x release.
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Hardware Requirements
To use the SunInstall utility to install and run the Solaris 2.x softwarelocally, the system must meet the following requirements:
SPARC or Intel system
At least 1.05 Gbytes disk space
At least 32 Mbytes memory
CD-ROM drive or access to a JumpStart server
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System Identification Information - The sysidtool
During the first part of the installation process, you are prompted tosupply the system name and basic network information. Fill out the installation worksheet on page 27 summarizing the system identification.
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Acquire the following necessary information prior to your installation:
System configuration type:__________________________________
Host name:_______________________________________________
IP address:_______________________________________________
Name service (NIS , NIS+, Other or None):_____________________
Subnet (yes or no):_________________________________________
Geographic location:_______________________________________
Time zone information:_____________________________________
Root password:___________________________________________
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Installation Preparation
Log in as root
Notify users
Back up existing files
Shut down the system
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Installation Process1. Insert the CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drinve.
2. Boot the release media.ok boot cdrom
3. For Intel platform insert the device configuration floppy into the floppy into the floppy drive and start the computer
How to install the Solaris 2.x operating system
1. Insert the CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Boot the release media.ok boot cdrom
3. Select the appropriate language and locale for your site and click on Continue.
4. Read the brief description of the installation process, and click Continue