Choosing x86 Hardware for Solaris 10
From Genunix
The following tools can help you select hardware to work with the Solaris OS.
If you have a complete system running a major version of Linux or Windows, you can use a tool (Java-based) that Sun provides to perform a hardware compatibility test. Note that this tool allows checking for compatibility with either Solaris 10 or the Developer Edition via a pull-down Target OS list.
If you don't have the hardware on-hand (perhaps you are planning a purchase), you can consult Sun's online Hardware Compatibility List (HCL).
You can browse the HCL, search the HCL, or download several comma-separated files (suitable for importing into a spreadsheet). These .csv files can be kept handy for quick reference, but note that the HCL is constantly growing.
An easy way to find which Solaris release supports the x86 devices you are using is to check the Solaris for x86 Device Support page. For example, the latest Solaris release contains more new network drivers, including new wireless drivers. To see which devices are supported:
- Go to the Solaris for x86 Device Support page.
- Near the bottom of the page, click the arrow to the right of the Select Release field, and click the release you are interested in.
- Click the arrow to the right of the Select Device Type field, and click "Network." The list of all network devices that have drivers in your selected Solaris release appears below the selection fields.
See the information at the top of the Solaris for x86 Device Support page to find drivers that are not yet included in a Solaris release, or for instructions to drive your device with the driver for a similar device.
See also the Third-Party Solaris Device Driver Reference List and Sun and Third-Party HCL Resources.
For a list of wireless drivers that might not be in a shipping Solaris release yet, see Wireless Networking for OpenSolaris. For a table of wireless driver support for particular hardware, see the Wireless Driver Compatibility List. For additional network, storage, and other drivers, see the OpenSolaris Device Drivers Community.
