System Administration Guide: Virtualization Using the Solaris Operating System

How Zone State Affects Patch and Package Operations With SVR4 Packaging

The following table describes what will happen when pkgadd, pkgrm, patchadd, and patchrm commands are used on a system with non-global zones in various states.

Zone State	Effect on Package and Patch Operations
Configured	Patch and package tools can be run. No software has been installed yet.
Installed	Patch and package tools can be run. During patch or packaging operations, the system moves a zone from the installed state to a new internal state called mounted. After patching has completed, the zone is reverted back to the installed state. Note that immediately after `zoneadm` `-z` `zonename` `install` has completed, the zone is also moved to the installed state. A zone in the installed state that has never been booted cannot be patched or run packaging commands. The zone must be booted to the running state at least once. After a zone has been booted at least once, and then moved back to the installed state by using `zoneadm` `halt`, then patch and packaging commands can be run.
Ready	Patch and package tools can be run.
Running	Patch and package tools can be run.
Incomplete	A zone being installed or removed by `zoneadm`. Patch and package tools cannot be used. The tools cannot bring the zone into the appropriate state for using the tools.