Re: End of "Free" Solaris binary licence program - now it's free.

From: Chris Newport (crn.news_at_nospam.netunix.com)
Date: 02/20/05 

Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2005 14:35:15 +0000

Scott Howard wrote:

> Sun is driving hard to get people onto Solaris 10. Giving out the same
> licenses for S9 would erode adaption, even if only a little.
>
> Realistically, no sun4m machines have been shipped for over 6.5 years (SS5)
> with most of the common models (such as the SS20) not having shipped for
> almost 8 years - it's not like we're dropping support for anything
> recent :)

Some Ultrasparc 1 machines such as the E150, Ultra1 and some Ultra2
systems are a little younger, but this misses the point.

Perhaps an unsupported version of Solaris 8 and 9 with 64 bit support
removed should be available for download. Being 32 bit only would ensure
that all modern systems use Solaris 10 whilst keeping support for those
who are using older machines (typically at home).

Sun4d machines need Solaris 8, Sun4m and Ultrasparc1 machines can use
Solaris 9.

I have a feeling that marketing issues are involved, there are still
many older systems in commercial production use and Sun want these
customers to buy new kit.

The only other viable option for older machines is Linux, but this does
not help those who want to learn about Solaris. There are also other
issues such as FC25 and Sun4d SMP support which are not stable in Linux.

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