SUMMARY: Solaris 8 64-bit Package confusion

(I know this summary was late, but I only received two
replies and while I waiting for any late replies, I
decided to dig further on my own.)

Quick Summary: 
After performing a core install (which only installs
32-bit packages), if a package has a 64-bit
counterpart,  you should manually add it. 

Other resources:
http://www.sun.com/software/solutions/blueprints/1100/minimize-updt1.pdf
Sun's "minimalization" document, updated to include
Solaris 8.  Must reading

http://sunsolve.sun.com infodoc ID 21434
FAQ on Booting Solaris to either the 64-bit kernel or
the 32-bit kernel

SUN-FOCUS mailing list:
http://archive.aimsecurity.net/mailing-list/FOCUSSUN/archive/2001/Apr/index.html#29
Interesting April thread on "SUN's attitude" towards
minimal OS installs.  

And dejanews, er google (watch wrap): 
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=64+bit+core+installation+solaris&start=20&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&rnum=26&ic=1&selm=91v2q2%24g12%241%40swlmail.msd.ray.com
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=64+bit+core+installation+solaris&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&rnum=7&ic=1&selm=97j8pq%24lmr9m%241%40ID-46705.news.dfncis.de
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=64+bit+core+install+solaris&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&rnum=3&ic=1&selm=3A9E8515.74324DC8%40berbee.com
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=64+bit+core+install+solaris&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&rnum=1&ic=1&selm=Pine.GSO.4.21.0011271408180.25460-100000%40mars.rite-group.com


=======================================================
My original question: 
I am going to build some new servers (Netra T1s) and
was going to use the "core install" installation
option.  However, the core install only installs 32
bit packages: The 64-bit core packages are only
installed in the *end-user* installation option.

For example, the SUNWkvm package is part of the core
install option but SUNWkvmx (64 bit) is not. Why are
the 64-bit packages not part of the core install, but
instead are part of the  end-user install? 

To take advantage of Solaris 8's 64 bit support,
should I be custom installing the 64-bit versions of
each of the "core" packages in addition to their
32-bit counterparts? Or even installing them*instead*
of their 32 bit counterparts? 
 
======================================================
The full replies (note modified addresses:)

Ian Fitchet <Ian(DOT)fitchet(AT)tornadogroup(DOT)com>:

 An oversight is the best description.  A 64-bit
SUNWCreq is in progress but as it isn't in the beta
version of 07/01 that turned up yesterday I guess
we'll have to wait a little bit longer.

 Your best bet is to work through the packages in the
SUNWCreq meta cluster then go through the packages on
the CD and find the 64-bit versions of those packages
and simply add them on.

 Sun may tell you that list if you hassle them enough.


"Barb" <bhawes34(AT)netscape(DOT)net>:
 To get it to go to the 64 bit kernel, I got a list of
all the  packages on the install cd from docs.sun.com
>
 (Solaris 8 Installation > Collection >> Solaris 8 
 (SPARC Platform Edition) Installation Guide >>
Packages on the Solaris 8   CDs)
    Then I compared the packages I had installed
(using /usr/bin/pkginfo) to the list from the install
guide.  If there was a 64 bit version of the package,
I installed it using /usr/sbin/pkgadd.  After adding
all the packages, I did an init 6 and the system came
up with the 64-bit kernel.
   Some documents that I found useful were the install
guide I mentioned earlier and InfoDoc 21434 at
sunsolve.sun.com.
   
   Even though your machine may have different
packages installed, here's a list of the packages I
installed:
(on cd 1of2)
   cg6x.u
   carx.u
   esxu
   hmdx
   kvmx.u
   libCx
   lmsx
   locx
   namox
   pdx
   toox
   udfrx
   usbx
   ffbx.u
   m64x.u
(on cd 2of2)
   arcx
   btoox
   lmx
   sprox

Also, at the InfoDoc on Sunsolve that I mentioned
earlier, I believe it said something about the 1/01
release of Solaris 8 incorporated 64 bit in the Core
install, but you might want to try verifying that with
someone.
Good luck with it!
Barb




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