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Version 3.1-en Solaris 10 Container Guide - 3.1 4. Best Practices Effective: 30/11/2009
4.1.3. Comparison between sparse-root zones and whole-root zones
[dd] From the considerations listed above, a comparison can be drawn between sparse-root zones
and whole-root zones. In the vast majority of cases, sparse-root zones are used.
Sparse root zone Whole root zone
Disk space required 70 - 100 MB 2600 - 3600 MB
Quick creation of zones + -
Quick patching of zones + -
Central software installation and maintenance + +
Efficient use of main memory + -
Independent installation, modification and patching of parts of the
operating system within the zone
- +
Write option in system directories - +
Table 3: [dd] Comparison between sparse-root zones and whole-root zones
4.1.4. Software in zones
[dd] For users and operators, the question arises whether their software runs in a local zone and also
whether it is certified for that purpose by the software manufacturer. Applications can be qualified
according to http://developers.sun.com/solaris/articles/zone_app_qualif.html for
use in local zones.
As a general rule, applications that get by with normal user privileges also run in a local zone.
Software that requires special privileges or must run under root privileges should be considered
separately. Direct access to devices, device drivers, separate kernel modules, ISM or direct access to
the network and network modules are considered to be particularly critical. Details on this can be read
at http://developers.sun.com/solaris/articles/application_in_zone.html under "Bringing your Application
into the Zone".
If the software is able to run in a local zone, the installation and configuration mechanism of the
application must furthermore be considered. Thus, care must be taken that during the installation in
local zones no write operations are required in inherit-pkg-dir, e.g. for an installation in /usr
or /usr/local, if /usr is an inherit-pkg-dir for a sparse root zone.
35
Figure 23: [dd] Schematic comparison between sparse-root zones and whole-root zones
Global Zone
/var
/platform inherit-pkg-dir
/sbin inherit-pkg-dir
/lib inherit-pkg-dir
/usr inherit-pkg-dir
~ 3.6 GB
~100 MB
--> lofs
--> lofs
--> lofs
--> lofs
/ /
~3.6 GB
/var
/
/
lib
/sbin
/usr
/platform
/var
Whole-root
Sparse-root