On systems running a Solaris release that is not zones aware, using patchadd -R, or any command that accepts the -R option to specify an alternate root path for a global zone that has non-global zones installed, will not work.
In contrast with the error message that is displayed by using the luupgrade [-t, -T, -p, -P] command, no error message regarding the use of appropriate command-level restrictions is displayed in this instance.
There is no indication that the -R option did not work. As a result of the failure of the command, Solaris 10 packages or patches are not installed on any of the installed non-global zones.
This problem occurs while installing and uninstalling packages or patches.
The -R option works if the alternate boot environment has configured non-global zones, but no installed non-global zones. However, to avoid a potential problem, or if you are not sure whether there are any installed non-global zones used as the alternate root path, restrict the use of the -R option in all instances.
For more information, see the following man pages :
Workaround 1: Upgrade the OS to at least the Solaris 10 1/06 release.
If you are running the Solaris 10 3/05 release, install the following patches to enable the use of commands that accept the -R option to create an alternate root path:
Patch ID 119254-19 for SPARC based systems
Patch ID 119255-19 for x86 based systems
Workaround 2: Restrict the use of the patchadd -R command or any command that accepts the -R option to create an alternate root path.
Instead, boot the alternate root, for example, the Solaris 10 release, as the active OS. Then install and uninstall the Solaris 10 packages and patches without using the -R option.