Ways to Upgrade a System

When you try to install a new version of Solaris software on an existing Solaris system, the installation program allows you to choose one of the following options to copy the Solaris software to disk:

• Upgrade - This option merges the new version of Solaris software with the existing files on the system's disks. It saves as many modifications that you have made to the previous version of Solaris software as possible. This is the preferred way to upgrade a system.

• Initial - This option overwrites the system's disk with the new version of Solaris software. You must back up any local modifications that you have made to the previous version of Solaris software before you begin the installation, and you must restore the local modifications after the installation completes.

This chapter mainly focuses on using the upgrade option.

The upgrade option is not available for 4.1.x systems. Because you must use the initial installation option, backing up your data is critical. See the Solaris Transition Guide for information.