Solaris

I'm planning to install Solaris 11.3. What are the difference between the text installer and media? What is much easier to use? Considering I'm a DBA, just to try building dev database on this machine. Thank you

SPARC or x86?

Basically all is written here :
Installing Oracle Solaris by Using Installation Media -
Transitioning From Oracle(R) Solaris 10 to Oracle Solaris 11.3

Personally, i use text install iso for any install, but it's a matter of choice.

Also, you might want to create local repository to install packages you require after install.
It can be on the same machine for labs and stuff.

Hope that helps
Regards
Peasant.

its x86..

---------- Post updated at 04:31 AM ---------- Previous update was at 04:28 AM ----------

I also read about the IPS for Solaris 11. Is it required to have the repository?

Well as Peasant has already said, it's a matter of choice. Personally, on x86 and for ease, I would use the Solaris 11 'Live' media and the GUI install. Boot from DVD and wait for the full GUI to appear (and don't be tempted to login on the console prompt that appears, just don't touch it and wait for the GUI).

With the OS running from the Live DVD you can click on the hard drive install and follow the process. The resulting installation provides you with a Package Manager which makes it easy to install or remove add-on software. If necessary you can convert the root user from a 'role' to a 'user' should you need to actually login as root rather than use 'su'.

No it's not essential to create your own repository if you don't want to. I usually don't.

(From personal experience I have sometimes had trouble getting the network interface to start when using Solaris 11.3 x86 media which doesn't happen if I use Solaris 11.1 and then upgrade over the web to 11.3. I have mentioned this on this forum before so search for it. This is personal experience only and not seconded by anyone else (yet). I'm just mentioning because should you have this problem, it's not something you've done wrong IMHO. Of course, the problem may not happen on your hardware.)

Thank you hicksd8. Appreciate your input. I might used live media

Regarding IPS, what is the main purpose of this? I'm reading oracle document, and they suggesting to use, and this was required for solaris 11.

You ask the main purpose of IPS? IPS now exists to enable you to add the software packages you may need fairly effortlessly by substantially automating the process. Yes, Solaris 11 uses IPS.

For a simple GUI installation in the manner that I described from 'Live' media, the Package Manager is installed automatically on the GUI interface. This allows you to 'check' a box beside any software packages (and there are a huge number of them) and when you indicate that you are done, your system will go to Oracle (assuming of course you have an internet connection) and download and configure your required software.

Similarly, using the package manager you can 'uncheck' a software package and it will be removed from your system.

It's all pretty straightforward under the GUI. Oracle have done a very good job on this.