sunflash-Distributed to mailing list sunflash@suntri sunflash-Send requests and problem reports to owner-sunflash@suntri.east.sun.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash New Initiatives to Ease and Accelerate Migration to Solaris 2 SunFLASH Vol 55 #12 July 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55.12 New Initiatives to Ease and Accelerate Migration to Solaris 2 Enhanced Binary Compatibility Package; NIS Network transition kit; Solaris 1.1 Version C for SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX; New Sunsoft program to support in-house software developers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- **************************************************************************** * * * - Enhanced Binary Compatibility Package for Solaris 2 allows * * more Solaris 1 applications to run with next release of * * Solaris 2 * * * * - NIS Network transition kit for Solaris 2.2 allows customers to * * run Solaris without modifying their current network * * configuration or system adminstration policies * * * * - New Solaris 1.1 Version C will provide Solaris 1 * * functionality and application support for SPARCclassic * * and SPARCstation LX system users * * * * - New Sunsoft program to support in-house software developers * * * **************************************************************************** Thanks in big part to the efforts of the Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC) salesforce, the migration to the Solaris(R) 2 operating environment is moving along well. SunSoft has shipped over 250,000 Solaris 2 licenses over the last 6 months. Over 650 applications are actually shipping on Solaris 2 today. Customers are recognizing the benefits that Solaris 2 offers users, developers, and system administrators in enterprises throughout the world. SunSoft anounced the following series of broad initiatives designed to help further ease customer migration to the Solaris 2 software environment: Enhanced Solaris Migration Tools and Technologies: ================================================== * We recognize that it is critical to continue providing tools and software technologies to customers to assist in migrating to Solaris 2. To that end, we are please to announce the following: - With an enhanced Binary Compatibility Package in Solaris 2, customers will be able to run more Solaris 1 applications on Solaris 2 without modification. The enhanced Binary Compatibility Package provides support for statically linked applications in addition to the currently supported dynamically linked applications - With our new NIS networking transition kit, customers will be able to migrate more easily to Solaris 2 without modifying their current network configuration or system administration policies Both of the technologies should greatly ease the transition to Solaris 2 for current Solaris 1 customers with large installations. Solaris 1.1 on microSPARC ========================= * To assist customers in rapidly taking advantage of the price/performance of the microSPARC(TM) processor and migrating their applications to Solaris 2, SunSoft will be making the original Solaris 1.1 environment available for Solaris 2 users of microSPARC-based systems, including the popular SPARCclassic(TM) and SPRACstation LX systems from SMCC. We anticipate that availability on these high volume desktops will further enhance and encourage long-term migration to the Solaris 2 environment. Solaris 2 Communications Center: ================================ * To assist system manufacturers, SunSoft has established a just-in-time resource on Solaris transition information. The center provides a data repository of up-to-the-minute transition information and a direct e-mail link to SunSoft engineers. This new service will greatly enhance communications and support of Solaris OEM's, including SMCC, and their ability to service our customers during their transition to Solaris 2. Solaris 2 Associate Program: ============================ * An expansion of SunSoft's Catalyst(SM) Program to address the unique needs of in-house software developers. We are calling this program the Solaris 2 Associate Program. Solaris 2 Certification Program: ================================ * The Solaris 2 Certification Program is designed to assist manufacturers of X86 systems and peripherals test their products under the Solaris 2 software environment. Over the last 3 months, this program has enabled us to greatly expand the number of Intel devices and systems supported by Solaris 2. Below you will find more details of this announcement along with SMCC specific pricing and ordering information for the Solaris 1.1 for microSPARC and NIS for Solaris 2.2 products. ******************************************************************* ENHANCED SOLARIS MIGRATION TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES ================================================= Enhanced Binary Compatibility Package ===================================== Technology Summary: SunSoft is committed to supporting and accelerating an easy migration for its customers to the most powerful and feature rich 32-bit operating environment - Solaris 2. The Binary Compatibility Package (BCP) offers an automatic mechanism to support migration to Solaris 2. SunSoft has offered BCP since Solaris 2.0 as an integral part of the operating environment. BCP allows Solaris 1 application binaries to run on Solaris 2 with typically about the same performance as on Solaris 1. BCP provides minimum disruption of the end user environment while the applications are being ported to take advantage of the many new features of Solaris 2, such as multithreading and support for multiprocessing. A significant number of ISVs have already ported their applications to Solaris 2 and many more are in the process of doing so. SunSoft announces a further enhancement of BCP in keeping with our commitment to make the migration effort as easy as possible. The next release of Solaris 2 will lift the restriction that for an application to run under BCP it has to be dynamically linked. BCP will support statically linked applications in the same manner as it has supported dynamically linked applications in the past. This enhancement will mostly add support for the internally developed applications at large end user sites that did not follow the Solaris 1 guidelines for dynamic linking. Automatic support for statically linked applications is yet another example of how SunSoft is committed to making the migration easy and fast. Enhanced BCP will be included as an enhancement to the next version of Solaris 2 due out this fall. NAME SERVICES TRANSITION KIT ============================ Product Summary This announcement was made to resolve customer issues regarding the Solaris 1 to Solaris 2 transition. We are trying to make the migration as easy as possible by allowing customers to migrate their name service at a later time, thereby allowing them to stage their transition. The Name Sevices Kit is an unbundled product sold at nominal cost. It includes binary software and installation/administration documentation for the NIS server for SPARC-proceesor based systems running Solaris 2.2 or the next version of Solaris 2. The NIS (formerly YP) name service allows administration of resources, such as servers, files and applications, in a network environment. NIS has been shipping since 1986 and is a part of Solaris 1.x and other major operating environments. The Kit also includes a datasheet on NIS+, Solaris 2's native name service, and a white paper presenting merits of transitioning from NIS to NIS+. Product benefits NIS for Solaris 2 simplifies transition to Solaris 2 by decoupling Solaris 1 to Solaris 2 and NIS to NIS+ transitions. Large installations transitioning to Solaris 2 will particularly be interested in this product. Customers can stay with their NIS administrative model and domains longer. However,in doing so they will not be able to take advantage of Solaris 2's new graphical user interface (GUI) tools for administration. Hardware/Software Considerations NIS for Solaris 2 is a server implementation of NIS for SPARC(R) systems running Solaris 2.2 or the next release of Solaris. It will support NIS clients and servers of the following types: o Systems running SPARC/Solaris 2.x o Systems running SPARC/Solaris 1.x o Non-Solaris systems supporting ONC(TM) It will also support Intel/Solaris 2.x NIS clients. NIS for Solaris will be supported ONLY on systems running BINARY software for Solaris 2.2 or the next release of Solaris. It will NOT be supported on systems from OEMs that create binaries from Solaris 2 SOURCE. Availability SMCC will begin shipping this product at the end of next quarter (FYQ1). Being a Solaris transition aid, the kit will be supported only until the end of calendar year 1994. The NIS kit will be available as a Site license. See pricing section for price details. SOLARIS 1 AVAILABILITY ON MICROSPARC ARCHITECTURE ================================================= SMCC will be offering a new version of Solaris 1.1, called Solaris 1.1 Version C, as an unbundled product for SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX systems. Solaris 1.1 Version C provides a vehicle that allows customers to use Sun's latest workstation technology during their transition to Solaris 2. This is especially important for large customers who need more time to transition their in-house applications to Solaris 2. It is important to note that SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX systems will continue to ship with only a Solaris 2.x license. Customers who want Solaris 1.1 Version C will need to purchase an additional license and media for these systems (See pricing and ordering information below) at a nominal charge. SMCC will ship versions of the product for U.S, Japan, Taiwan, PRC, Korea, and Europe. As with Solaris 1.1 Version A, the European Version C product will ship with the English CD and an additional Language supplement CD for Openwindows(TM) V3. Solaris 1.1 Version C will ship in 45 days. SOLARIS 2 ASSOCIATE PROGRAM =========================== 1. Announcement Summary The SunSoft Catalyst Program is announcing a new pilot program targeted at addressing the technical needs of in-house software developers. This new program features most of the services already offered to commercial developers, and adds services designed expressly for the in-house developer. The pilot program is being launched in July, and will be expanded this Fall. Program benefits are focused on three key areas: A) Access to migration and development tools B) Technical support for migration planning C) Specialized technical information including, conferences, updates and newsletters. Please contact Doug Chalmers, Catalyst Marketing (douglas.chalmers@eng) for more details on the program. Hardware/Software Considerations -------------------------------- Binary Compatibility Package (BCP) The BCP in the next Solaris 2 release will support statically linked applications in the same manner as it supports dynamically linked applications today. Solaris 1 application binaries will run on Solaris 2 with typically about the same performance as on Solaris 1. Other BCP restrictions/constraints still remain. Solaris 2 BCP does not support SunView(TM) applications. NIS Name Service Transition Kit The kit is available as an unbundled option for Solaris 2.2 and the following release. The SPARC/Solaris 2 systems must be running Solaris 2.2 or the next release of Solaris. It will support NIS clients and servers of the following types: Systems running SPARC/Solaris 2.x Systems running SPARC/Solaris 1.x Non-Solaris systems supporting ONC Intel/Solaris 2.x NIS clients Solaris 1.1 Version C All SPARCclassics and SPARCstation LX systems will continue to ship with Solaris 2. Solaris 1.1 Version C is provided as an unbundled option for SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX systems only. It will run all Solaris 1.x applications including unbundled products from Sun Microsystems, Inc. such as compilers and networking products. There are two products for each geography: a media with license and a license only. Order Solaris 1.1 Version C only for SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX systems. All other SPARCstation products require either Solaris 2.2 or Solaris 1.1 Version A (media kit only). QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS --------------------- Binary Compatibility Package: Q. When will the static linking support be available? A. Support for statically linked libraries under BCP will be available as a part of the next major release of Solaris in the fall timeframe. Q. Should ISV slow down native port effort since BCP is now enhanced? A. No. ISVs need to continue their native ports because that is the only way they can take advantage of the many new and powerful features of Solaris 2, such as multithreading, ONC+(TM) and COSE developments. The enhanced BCP support is primarily aimed at large end user sites that have an installed base of internally developed Solaris 1 applications. BCP can allow them to move forward to the new platforms easily without losing any functionality and take advantage of the many third party applications that have already been ported or are being ported today. NIS Name Services Transition Kit: Q. Why was this NIS Name Services Transition Kit announcement made? A. To resolve customer issues regarding the Solaris 1 to Solaris 2 transition. We are trying to make the migration as easy as possible by allowing customers to migrate their name service at a later time. Q. What is in the Naming Services Transition Kit? A. The Kit includes binary software, site license, and installation/administration documentation for the NIS server for SPARC systems running Solaris 2.2 or the next release of Solaris. It also includes a datasheet on NIS+, Solaris 2's native name service, and a white paper presenting merits of transitioning from NIS to NIS+. Q. How does NIS for Solaris 2 ease transition to Solaris? A. NIS for Solaris 2 simplifies transition to Solaris 2 by decoupling Solaris 1 to Solaris 2 and NIS to NIS+ transitions. Use of NIS for Solaris 2 will allow sites to maintain their network configuration and administrative policies during the Solaris 1 to 2 transition phase by not requiring them to simultaenously transition to NIS+. Customers can stay with their administrative model and domains longer. However, in doing so they will not be able to take advantage of Solaris 2's new GUI tools for administration. Q. Does the release of NIS server on Solaris 2.x imply a lessening of committment to NIS+? A. No. We are responding to tactical customer issues in the installed base but we are completey committed to NIS+. NIS+ remains the strategic name service for Solaris 2.x and ONC+ environments due to its performance, security, and scalability advantages over NIS. Q. Does the announcement of the Transition Kit mean that SunSoft will add new features to NIS? A. No. NIS is available "as is" as the kit is only meant to enable customers to move more easily to a Solaris 2 environment. NIS+ has many more features than NIS that we believe are required for distributed systems. Solaris 1.1 Version C: Q. Why is Sun releasing Solaris 1 on SPARCclassic and the SPARCstation LX systems? A. Sun is responding to its customers' needs. By offering Solaris 1 for our microSPARC-based machines, users will be able to take advantage of Sun's latest entry-level desktop products while they complete their transitions to Solaris 2 environments. Q. Why did SunSoft decide to support the microSPARC architecture? A. While customer reaction to Solaris 2 has been very good and growing, SunSoft has recognized the time it takes many large end user sites to migrate to new operating systems and network infrastructure. Therefore this optional product is offered support customers during their transition to Solaris 2 and to allow them to take advantage of the price/performance benefits of the mircoSPARC architecture. By offering the Solaris 1 as an option to these Solaris 2/microSPARC customers it provides them the best of both, Solaris 2 to run new advanced applications and Solaris 1 to run their existing applications. Q. Will this special Solaris 1.x CD work on the SPARCserver(TM) 1000 or the SPARCcenter(TM) 2000 systems? A. No. SunSoft has only released Solaris 1.x for the microSPARC platforms. Q. What are the constraints relating to the Solaris 1.x client / Solaris 2.x server support? Will I be able to mix SPARCserver 1000 and SPARCcenter 2000 servers on Solaris 2.x and SPARCstation LX/SPARCclassic clients on Solaris 1.x? A. SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX client systems running Solaris 1.x will be supported on Solaris 2.x servers. Solaris 2 has always supported all configurations of Solaris 1.x clients. Q. JumpStart(TM) is a big advantage to my organization. Will I be able to use it to install my SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX systems running Solaris 1.x? A. Solaris 2 will be the default environment for SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX systems and will support the JumpStart installation technology. Solaris 1.1 C will be available only as a full install on SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX systems. Q. Will Solaris 2.x features be available on Solaris 1.1 Version C? A. No. Solaris 1.1 Version C supports new hardware architecture and provides no new functionality. All new functionality support symmetric multiprocessing, multi-threading, graphics, mutli-media, objects and the new common desktop environments from SunSoft, HP, IBM and USL will be Solaris 2 functionality only. SMCC PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION ------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING ITEMS APPEAR ON THE END USER AND RESELLER PRICE LISTS All Solaris 1.1 Version C products are non-discountable. SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX systems do not ship with a license for Solaris 1.1 Version C. Licenses and media may be purchased with the order #'s below: SOLARIS 1.1 VERSION C FOR SPARCclassic and Order List Discount SPARCstation LX Number Price Category --------------------- ------ ----- -------- English Media, License SC-P $125 N/D English License only SC-L $100 N/D Japanese Media, License SC-46-P* $150 N/D Japanese License only SC-46-L* $125 N/D Korean Media, License SC-45-P* $150 N/D Korean License only SC-45-L* $125 N/D Taiwan Media, License SC-44-P* $150 N/D Taiwan License only SC-44-L* $125 N/D PRC Media, License SC-47-P* $150 N/D PRC License only SC-47-L* $125 N/D European Media, License SC-E1-P $150 N/D European License only SC-E1-L $125 N/D * Will only appear in the local country's price list. Should only be sold in the local country. Notes: All Solaris 1.1 Version C products require a valid Solaris 2 license (which is bundled with SPARCclassic and LX systems). A Solaris 1.1 Version C license authorizes one or two users to run on one SPARCclassic or SPARCstation LX system. Order Solaris 1.1 Version C only for SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX systems. All other SPARCstation products require Solaris 1.1 Version A (media kit only). Solaris 1.1 Version A documentation may be ordered (unbundled) for Solaris 1.1 Version C products. NIS Kit Order List Discount FOR SOLARIS 2.X Number Price Category --------------- ------ ----- -------- NIS for Solaris 2.x with Site License NIS-PSITE $125 A (c) 1993 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation, Solaris, SunSoft, LX, Catalyst, ONC, OpenWindos, SunView, ONC+, and Jumpstart are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All SPARC trademarks, including the SCD Compliant Logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. microSPARC, SPARCclassic, SPARCstation, SPARCserver, and Supercenter are licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. IBM is a registered trademark of International Busniess Machines Corporation. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. ********************************************************************** For information about SunFlash send mail to info-sunflash@Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@Sun.COM. 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