SUMMARY: Solaris for x86

From: Wojciech Mikanik (WMIKANIK@star.iinf.polsl.gliwice.pl)
Date: Tue Oct 22 1996 - 04:55:20 CDT


Hi,

  Sorry for the delayed summary. I was out of town during last few
days.
  Thanks to all who replied.

  My original posting first:
> I'm very interested in what you can say about Solaris x86 (let say
> 2.5):
> - does it differ from Solaris (the same version of) for SPARCs?
> - is it more/less efficient (from Solaris for SPARCs)
> - would you recommend buying it (why?)
> - what about software for this system
> - all you want to write as its user/admin

The responses go now.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: brian davies <daviesb-cos3@kaman.com>

> I'm very interested in what you can say about Solaris x86 (let say
>2.5):
> - does it differ from Solaris (the same version of) for SPARCs?

Not really. The only difference it that it's compiled for an Intel
chip rather than a SPARC chip. Same command set and same look and feel
as Solaris for SPARC.

> - is it more/less efficient (from Solaris for SPARCs)

Depends on what you want to use it for. I've used x86 primarily as
server
solutions for supporting Wabi users. Much improved performance over
the SPARC
version - no need to translate calls for the SPARC. I've also used it
for
client who need another server, but don't have the cash on hand to
purchase a
new SPARCstation/server.

I use it myself for home use and have been quite happy with it. A
whole lot
cheaper than buying a SPARC 20.

> - would you recommend buying it (why?)

Yes, but only if you have a need (cost, performace, etc.). See above.

> - what about software for this system

Everything Sun makes exists in both an x86 and SPARC version. In some
cases
these are shipped on the same media (Answerbook and Wabi for
example). This
makes it convinient if you're dealing with a multi-platform
environment.

> - all you want to write as its user/admin

As I said above, I use it on my home system and it's been good and
bad for me.
Good because it's an fairly cost efficient environment for me; bad
beacuse I
take more work home to do now. ;-) But seriously, it's a good
product, although
a bit pricey, especially compared with Linux. The main advantages are
the
availability of SunService and Support, and that it is Solaris. Makes
for a
more consistent environment.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

--
From: Bruce Cota <cota@dpg.rnb.com>

> I'm very interested in what you can say about Solaris x86 (let say > 2.5): > - does it differ from Solaris (the same version of) for SPARCs?

I use Solaris/Sparc at work and x86 at home. You occasionally get subtle differences with applications that access devices. Once, when compiling a public domain RDBMS, I had to translate a few lines of assembly from Sparc to Intel.

Other than that, there's practically no difference.

> - is it more/less efficient (from Solaris for SPARCs) > - would you recommend buying it (why?)

Yes. It works and PCs are very cost effective. Of course, if prices it the primary consideration, Linux might be even better.

> - what about software for this system

There's the catch -- many vendors sell software for Sparc but haven't bothered to "port" to x86, even though they probably just have to type "make" on a PC>

On the other hand, any source code you can compile on a Sun will compile on the PC. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -- From: hu@garfield.uucp (Martin Huber)

I use Solaris 2.5.1 for X86 on 7 machines in diffent locations. It is very good compatible to the SPARC version. The only differences I found is (except of the device drivers)

If you su to root, the home directory refers to your own home directory on sparc and to / on X86

A program connecting to a small server program on a windows PC works on sparc while it gets a "permission denied" on X86

At least newer sparc machines of course have a far better performance than a PC.

---------------------------------------------------------------------- -- From: Don Lenamond <dlenamon@troika.net>

Concerning Solaris X86:

I've worked with the product since it's release way back with 2.1 FCS (first customer ship). Since that time I've seen the driver sets grow to accept more and more PC cards and peripherals. Since that time I've built a 2.4 Internet server, a 2.5 Internet NEWs server, and a 2.5.1 NFS file server. I just finished a Solaris 2.5.1 build on a Compaq Proliant 200MHz pentium pro server. The build took three times as long as it would have had I done it to a SPARC. Why???

Sun has not deemed it necessary to ship a full set of updated boot disks, much less driver updates necessary to meet the items covered with their Hardware Compatiblity List (HCL) with the release when you buy it. To get a good boot disk, you must access sunsolve or access1 (two Sun Online servers) and download boot disk images, driver updates, and video updates...etc...

My advise:

If you must build on Intel, then use Solaris X86. You should have an intimate knowledge of Solaris and be fairly technical to do this, even so. If you can hire someone to do it, you are better off. BTW, Sun X86 support is excellent! Their support crew really helped when needed.

Otherwise, spend the few thousands more and get a workstation and be rid of all your problems.

______________________________________________________________________ From: craigsw@mail2.ozemail.com.au

> - does it differ from Solaris (the same version of) for SPARCs? only in drivers and the use of a boot floppy to install

> - is it more/less efficient (from Solaris for SPARCs) Hard to say. Depends on your apps too. wabi runs really well on it. some apps better, some not as good. It all depends on the machice really.

> - would you recommend buying it (why?) cost. if you have the budget...get the sparc...otherwise x86

> - what about software for this system disksuite, database programs, networker...all fine

> - all you want to write as its user/admin Look at what the uses are. I would not say yay or nay to it unless I had specific on what the system is to be used for

______________________________________________________________________ From: "Ing. Carlos R. Guevara" <cguevara@zeus.velu.com>

I used to work for a SUN reseller and we sold several copies to a large account (Solaris X86 2.4).

the environment was IDENTICAL, at least for all the applications and administration we could find and use. it was actually very efficient (we used it on a server to allow connection of up to 25 users for a class, even pulling XWindows).

The only drawback is that you don't have all the nice STOP-A or boot rom prompt commands. But those are specific to the SPARC hardware anyway.

Even though I recommend it wholeheartedly, there a few sticking points. Use it on GOOD mahines (read brand name) or with brand name parts (Drivers are not very abundant, specially for video and disk controller). Also, there isn't a lot of software out there....sure the RDBMS companies and most internet stuff...but that's about it...

______________________________________________________________________ From: Benjamin Cline <benji@hnt.com>

I haven't used Solaris x86, so I can't comment on it specifically. But I wanted to mention that while Sun hardware tends to be of uniformly high quality, there is great variation among PC hardware (all PC hardware is _not_ created equal). It pays to shop around and get the best quality components you can, the low end vendors often cut corners that will have serious impact on a system that is trying to run unix.

______________________________________________________________________ From: Herbert Wengatz <hwe@uebemc.siemens.de>

+> Hi, +> I'm very interested in what you can say about Solaris x86 (let say +> 2.5): +> - does it differ from Solaris (the same version of) for SPARCs? Not much, it's merely the same sources (We know it, we have them...)

+> - is it more/less efficient (from Solaris for SPARCs) It is as little efficient, as Slowlaris is.

+> - would you recommend buying it (why?) No. - Very few hardware is capable running it - It's slow. - It's expensive.

+> - what about software for this system - not much available. You would have to use the huge UNIX/GNU Public Domain pool.

+> - all you want to write as its user/admin

I'll forward you some postings from a Linux-News-Group. In them, you will clearly see, that Solaris is even under native conditions (on the Sparc-Hardware!) FAR SLOWER than Linux.

Since the Solaris for the PC is even only a ported crop from Sparc to Intel, it's even slower, so Solaris looses again against Linux, since it's native on PCs.

And Linux has a VAST majority of drivers for almost ANY PC-Hardware.

If you want commercial Support for Linux you can even get that: Buy Caldera- or RedHat- Linux.

And there is a fast growing market for commercial solutions for Linux! Check it out!

And for the administration:

Since Linux is basically a UNIX-Clone (it's POSIX-conform!), you simply manage it as you would do any other SVR4 (like Slowlaris...).

[NOTE from Wojciech Mikanik: I've received another letter from Herbert Wengatz with performance figures supporting his claim that Linux is faster than Solaris. I can forward it to anyone interested. I don't post it here, because it's long and related rather to Linux then to Solaris]

Wojciech Mikanik

Silesia University of Technology Institute of Computer Science Akademicka 16 44-100 Gliwice, Poland Phone: +48-32-37-27-05 Fax: + 48-32-37-27-33 http://sun_zo.iinf.polsl.gliwice.pl/pub/wmikanik/html/



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