Installing Java 6

Download Java for Opensolaris here. Choose your Platform "Solaris x86" or "Solaris x64". Select the "*.sh"-File and download it. Copy the File to /opt (Note: You will need Root-Priveleges):

host:# cp jdk-6u7-solaris-i586.sh /opt/

Now you can simply run the Shellscript:

host:/opt# sh jdk-6u7-solaris-i586.sh

The Script shows you the License for the JDK, you have to type "yes" (or "no") and the Installtion will go on and complete after a while.

Of Course, with Opensolaris and a fast Internet Connection you can use the Image Packaging System (IPS). But I don't know wich Java-Version is in the Repository.

Sound for Opensolaris

To enable Sound for my IBM z61m I had to install the OSS. The Installation was pretty easy. You can download a Package for Opensolaris and install it:

host:# pkgadd -d oss-solaris-v4.0-1016-i386.pkg

I just selected the Default Answers during install. Now it works and I can use the Fluendo-Plugin to listen to my mp3's.

MP3 Plugin

If you want to listen mp3's on Opensolaris, you need the Codec for MP3. You can get it for free (just for Registration) from Fluendo-Webshop.
There is a good Install-Howto inside the Archive you will get from the Webshop.

Local DNS

I wanted to get rid of typing the IP-Adress everytime I want to ssh to another PC in my LAN. Accidently I found this Solution (The Observatory - Local Hostname Resolution):

host:# cp /etc/nsswitch.conf /etc/nsswitch.conf.org
host:# cp /etc/nsswitch.dns /etc/nsswitch.conf
host:#
host:# svcadm enable /network/dns/multicast

Now you can use the Hostname and .local to ssh or whatever to a PC in your LAN.

$ ssh myhost.local

ZFS Root Mirror

This is a simple Tutorial how you can create a bootable ZFS Root Mirror with Opensolaris. I had some help from both Opensolaris-Forums (com/org) and this Blog from Malachi.

And here we go with the Tutorial:

Making a bootable ZFS Root Mirror

1. Install Opensolaris to Disk A (c3d0s0).

2. Format Disk B (c3d1s0) properly:
host:# format
(choose fdisk)
(create 100% Standard Solaris Partition over the full Disk)

3. Overwrite the Diskformat properly:
host:# prtvtoc /dev/rdsk/c3d0s2 | fmthard -s - /dev/rdsk/c3d1s2
(NOTE: s2! on BOTH Disks)

4. Attach Disk B to the ZFS Root Pool:
host:# zpool attach -f rpool c3d0s0 c3d1s0

5. Install the GRUB-Stuff to Disk B:
host:# installgrub -m /boot/grub/stage1 /boot/grub/stage2 /dev/rdsk/c3d1s0

6. Test the worst Case: Disk A fails, you can still boot into Disk B
- Remove Disk A
- Replace it with an emtpy Disk C
- Start the System: Choose to boot from Disk B in the Bios
- Repeat Steps 2. till 5. for Disk C (swap c3d0s0 and c3d1s0)
- Start the System like before (from Disk C)