Installing Third-Party Packages on Servers and Clients

Third-party packages do not use the SUNW_PKGTYPE parameter. As a result, there is no convenient way to determine where the package's files are installed. The surest way is to examine the package's pkgmap file. Based on that information, you can install according to the guidelines in Table 16-2. However, if you want to avoid having to examine a package's pkgmap file, you can use the following two-step process, which is the safest way to install third-party packages on diskless and AutoClient systems:

1. Install software on the server. Everything the server shares with clients is updated. (This assumes the server and clients are running the same version of Solaris software and are running on the same hardware platform: for example, either both x86 platforms or both SPARC platforms.)

2. Install the software on the client. The pkgadd command or Admintool, whichever you're using, will install only those files appropriate for the client. The pkgadd command or Admintool will not install software already available from file systems that are mounted from a server, because that software is already available to the client.