Sun Microsystems 10 manual Introduction

Version 3.1-enSolaris 10 Container Guide - 3.1 1. Introduction Effective: 30/11/2009

1. Introduction

[dd/ug] This guide is about Solaris Containers, how they work and how to use them. Although the original guide was developed in german [25], starting with version 3.1 we begin to deliver a version in english.

By making Solaris 10 available on 31st January 2005, an operating system with groundbreaking innovations has been provided by Sun Microsystems. Among these innovations are Solaris Containers that can be used - among other things - to consolidate and virtualize OS environments, to isolate applications, and for resource management. Solaris Containers can contribute considerably to the advanced reconfiguration of IT processes and environments, as well as to cost savings in IT operations.

Using these new possibilities requires know-how, decision guidance and examples which we have summarized in this guide. It is directed at decision makers, data center managers, IT groups and system administrators. The document is subdivided into the following chapters: Introduction, Functionality, Use Cases, Best Practices, Cookbooks, and a list of references.

A brief introduction is followed by the functionality part, which contains a description of today's typical data center requirements in terms of virtualization and consolidation, as well as a description and comparison of Solaris Container technology. This is followed by a discussion of the fields of application for Solaris Containers in a variety of use cases. Their conceptual implementation is demonstrated by means of Best Practices. In the chapter on Cookbooks, the commands used to implement Best Practices are demonstrated using concrete examples. All cookbooks were tested and verified by the authors themselves. The supplement discusses the specifics of Solaris Containers in OpenSolaris.

The document itself is designed to be a reference document. Although it is possible to read the manual from beginning to end, this is not mandatory. The manager of a data center gets an overview of the Solaris Container technology or have a look at the use cases. An IT architect goes over the Best Practices in order to build solutions. Meanwhile, a system administrator tests the commands listed in the cookbooks in order to gain experience. That is why the document offers something for everyone and in addition provides references to look into other areas.

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this document through comments, examples and additions. Special thanks goes to the colleagues (in alphabetical order): Dirk Augustin[da], Bernd Finger[bf], Constantin Gonzalez, Uwe Furchheim, Thorsten Früauf[tf], Franz Haberhauer, Claudia Hildebrandt, Kristan Klett, Joachim Knoke, Matthias Pfützner, Roland Rambau, Oliver Schlicker[os], Franz Stadler, Heiko Stein[hes], Hartmut Streppel[hs], Detlef Ulherr[du], Thomas Wagner and Holger Weihe.

Please do not hesitate to contact the authors with feedback and suggestions.

Berlin and Langen, November 2009

Detlef Drewanz (Detlef.Drewanz@sun.com), Ulrich Gräf (Ulrich.Graef@sun.com)

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