B.1.2 SPARC: Changes Affecting SunOS 4.x System Administrators

Some of the differences you will find in migrating to the SunOS 5.x environment from a SunOS 4.x environment are:

• Solaris 2.5 software can be installed on SPARC systems only from a local or remote CD-ROM drive or from a network.

• Solaris 2.5 software media is distributed in software groups, made up of packages and clusters, which facilitates installation. For the most up-to-date information on Solaris 2.5 packages use pkginfo(1) or swmtool.

• Device-naming conventions have changed; disks, for example, are now named as follows:

Figure B-1 Device-naming Convention

Note that on some disks (xy, xd) there is no target component; such disks have names like c0d0s0.

• The file system directory structure has changed. For example:

  • The kernel, called unix, and its related modules are stored in the /kernel directory.

  • The /opt directory is a new directory. It is created during installation for storing or mounting optional software applications.

  • The /devices directory is a hierarchy of device files, with symbolic links into the /dev directory for compatibility with the SunOS 4.x device naming conventions.

  • The /usr directory has been restructured.

  • The terminfo database replaces /etc/termcap.

  • The /etc/vfstab file replaces /etc/fstab.

  • The /var/mail directory replaces /var/spool/mail.

  • The /etc/lp directory replaces /etc/printcap.

  • The Remote File Sharing service (RFS) optional software package has been discontinued since Solaris 2.2.

• The SunOS 5.x kernel is dynamic; the user no longer rebuilds or edits the kernel configuration file.

• The kernel can automatically load necessary drivers for new devices added to the system.

• The Solaris 2.5 startup and shutdown procedures have changed:

  • The init(1M)command uses different scripts for each run level.

  • The shutdown command does not support any of the options available in SunOS 4.1 systems.

  • The fastboot(1B) and fasthalt(1b) commands are only available using the SunOS/BSD Source Compatibility Package.

• Many commands have changed, as well as the output from commands. Scripts may need to be rewritten. For more information, see Solaris 1.x to 2.x Transition Guide.

• NIS+ replaces the NIS, the Network Information Service name service; however, NIS+ uses NIS data, which makes it easier to transition to NIS+.

• Administration Tool (admintool), Motif application that allows you to administer your local system, provides management of system database and host information, printers, serial ports, user accounts, and software.

• The print management commands have changed. For a detailed list, see Solaris 1.x to 2.x Transition Guide.

• Terminals and modems are controlled through the Service Access Facility (SAF) and System Access Controller (SAC); the /etc/ttytab file is gone.