Sun seeks to apply the lessons of Linux and turn open source Solaris into an operating system to rival Linux and to be as commonly used as Java. Sun Microsystems has ambitious plans for the commercial and open-source versions of its Solaris operating system, hoping to achieve for Solaris the kind of ubiquity already enjoyed by Java. In addition, Sun released Update 4 for Solaris 10 (also called Solaris 08/07), introducing a major enhancement in its OS virtualization technology called Solaris Containers.
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Member since:2005-07-18
It is admittedly hard to find answers about something that doesn't exist 
OK, I accept your answer about the non-availability of updates. But in the GNU/Linux world, regular security and bug-fix updates are available in RPM and debian formats for a large number of distros and also in a few other formats for smaller distros.
Then there is the selection of update software: synaptic, aptitude, yum, urpmi, etc. The capability and availability are central and expected part of GNU/Linux.
Now that Sun is so publicly competing with GNU/Linux (which is therefore now the standard for comparison) and since Buzzzz and I both wondered about it in these few comments, it's surely worth mentioning in public documentation that said updates don't exist. In fact I think the question easily qualifies as a frequently asked question.
Member since:2006-10-31
Member since:2005-07-06
..and all of those things are available if you are using a *supported* version of Solaris. Such as Solaris 10.
Solaris Express releases are "testing" or "beta" releases and are "unsuppported."
Then there is the selection of update software: synaptic, aptitude, yum, urpmi, etc. The capability and availability are central and expected part of GNU/Linux.
For some of most well known ones yes, but some of the originals still don't have them. See Slackware as an example
This I can agree with. I've never understood, why, for example, the update program that is useable by Solaris 10 is included with Solaris Express releases since it doesn't function at all.
Member since:
2005-07-06
You can't get "live" updates even if you pay for support (which is developer support only for the Express editions afaik). Currently, Sun has no technical mechanism in place to support "live updates" for the "beta" and "testing" releases of Solaris.
You can download new versions of Solaris (including the "Express" releases) for free, and then use the upgrade mechanism built into the installer.
It is inconvenient; but it is free.
It is admittedly hard to find answers about something that doesn't exist
Edited 2007-09-04 21:36