On 3/23/2011 6:14 AM, Deano wrote:
OpenIndiana and others (i.e. Benunix) are distributions that actively
support full desktop workstations based on the Illumos base.
It is true, that the storage server application is a popular one and so has
supporters both commercially and others. ZFS is amazing and quite rightly it
stands out, it works even better when used with zones, crossbow, dtrace,
etc. and so its obvious to see what it's a focus and often seems the only
priority.
However is isn't the only interest, by a long shot.
The SFE package repositories has many packages available to install for when
the binary packaging aren't up to date. OpenIndiana is hard at work trying
to build bigger binary repositories with more apps and newer versions.
A simple "pkg install APPLICATION" is the aim for the majority of main
applications.
Is it not moving fast enough, or missing the packages you need?
Well that's the beauty of Open Source, we welcome and have systems to help
newcomers add and update the packages and applications they want, so we all
benefit.
Ultimately I'd (and I'm sure many would) like to have a level of binary
repositories similar to Debian, with stable and faster changing place repos
and support for many different applications, however that requires a lot of
work and manpower.
Bye,
Deano
Honestly (and I say this from purely personal preferences and bias, not
any official statement), I see the long-term future of Solaris (and
IllumOS-based distros) as the new engine for appliances, supplanting
Linux and the *BSDs in that space.
For a lot of reasons, Solaris has a long list of very superior
functionality that make is very appealing for appliance makers. Right
now, we see that in two areas: ZFS for storage, and high scaleability
for DBs (the various Oracle ExaData stuff). I'm expecting to see a
whole raft of things start to show up - JVM container systems (Run Your
App Server in SUPERMAN MODE! ), online backup devices, firewall
appliances, spam and mail filter systems, intrusion detection systems,
maybe even software routers, etc...
It's here that I think Solaris' strengths can beat its competitors, and
where its weaknesses aren't significant.
Sadly, I think Solaris' future as a general-purpose OS is likely finished.
Of course, that's just my reading of the tea leaves...
--
Erik Trimble
Java System Support
Mailstop: usca22-123
Phone: x17195
Santa Clara, CA
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