Preface

This manual describes those aspects of the SolarisTM 2.4 version of the System ^(R) V Release 4 (SVR4) UNIX that are of interest to users and system administrators.

To help you find additional information quickly, this manual directs you to other sources for details. Use this book primarily as an overview and a pointer.

How This Manual Is Organized

This manual is organized into the following chapters:

• Chapter 1, "Introduction to Solaris 2.4," provides a brief introduction to Solaris 2.4, lists new features in the release, and gives a brief overview of other Solaris topics.
• Chapter 2, "Solaris 2.4 Enhancements," describes the enhancements made to Solaris 2.4, including XILTM 1.2, Solaris PEXTM 2.2, XGLTM 3.1, Direct XlibTM 3.1, and more.
• Chapter 3, "Making the Transition to Solaris 2.4," describes issues for those making the transition from earlier Solaris releases to Solaris 2.4.
• Chapter 4, "System Administration in Solaris 2.4," summarizes the process of administering SunOSTM 5.x systems and ONC^(TM) networks in the Solaris 2.4 environment.
• Chapter 5, "Solaris Documentation," describes available Solaris 2.4 printed and AnswerBook^(R) on-line documentation and lists additional Solaris resource information.

Related Books

See the following manuals to get a broader overview of the Solaris 2.4 release:

• SPARC: Installing Solaris Software
• x86: Installing Solaris Software
• Solaris 2.4 Open Issues and Late-Breaking News
• Solaris 1.x to Solaris 2.x Transition Guide
• Solaris User's Guide

For additional information on hardware topics, see the following documents:

• SPARC Hardware Compatibility List
• Solaris 2.4 x86 Hardware Compatibility List
• x86 Device Configuration Guide

For additional information on system administration topics, see the following documents:

• User Accounts, Printers, and Mail Administration
• Security, Performance, and Accounting Administration
• Peripherals Administration
• File System Administration
• Administration Application Reference Manual
• Common Administration Tasks
• Software and AnswerBook Packages Administration Guide
• SunSHIELD Basic Security Module Guide
• TCP/IP Network Administration Guide
• Name Services Administration Guide
• NFS Administration Guide
• SunDiag User's Guide
• Name Services Configuration Guide
• Direct Xlib User's Guide

For additional information on software and driver development topics, see the following documents:

• Software Developer Kit Introduction
• Software Developer Kit Open Issues and Late-Breaking News
• Driver Developer Kit Introduction
• Driver Developer Kit Open Issues and Late-Breaking News

What Typographic Changes and Symbols Mean

Table P-1 describes the type changes and symbols used in this book.

Table P-1

Typeface or Symbol	Meaning	Example
AaBbCc123	The names of commands, files, and directories; on-screen computer output	Edit your .login file. Use ls -a to list all files. system% You have mail.
AaBbCc123	What you type, contrasted with on-screen computer output	system%su Password:
AaBbCc123	Command-line placeholder: replace with a real name or value	To delete a file, type rm filename.
AaBbCc123	Book titles, new words or terms, or words to be emphasized	Read Chapter 6 in User's Guide. These are called class options. You must be root to do this.
Code samples are included in boxes and may display the following: C shell prompt........system%
	Superuser prompt, C shell	system#
	Bourne and Korn shell prompt	$
	Superuser prompt, Bourne and Korn shells	#

Platform-Specific Conventions

The following conventions are used to indicate that a section, note, bullet, table, or figure discussed in text applies only to a specific platform (that is, to either SPARC or x86, but not both).

Section or Procedure Title

The following symbols are used to indicate that a section or procedure applies only to the named platform.

SPARC Denotes a SPARC platform-specific section or procedure. x86 Denotes an x86 platform-specific section or procedure.

Notes

The following notations are used to indicate that a section or procedure applies only to the named platform.

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SPARC - This note is specific to the SPARC platform.

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x86 - This note is specific to the x86 platform.

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Bullet Items

The following items are used to indicate that a bullet applies only to the named platform.

• SPARC: This bullet is specific to the SPARC platform.
• x86: This bullet is specific to the x86 platform.

Code Samples, Tables, and Figures

The following notations are used to indicate that a code sample, table, or figure applies only to the named platform.

Table 1-1 SPARC: Title Specific to SPARC Platform. Table 1-2 x86: Title Specific to x86 Platform.