About AnswerBook On-Line Documentation

An AnswerBook set is a collection of documentation that can be viewed on-line. The Solaris 2.4 User AnswerBook contains basic manuals for all Solaris users and is included on the Solaris 2.4 CD with the system software. If you choose the entire distribution software group during installation, this documentation is automatically installed.

AnswerBook sets can be shared by users across a network through a Library-based user interface. This on-line "Library" that users see is supported by centralized administrative procedures using a utility called ab_admin(1). Properly configured, AnswerBooks on a network are for users like books in a library that they can browse, search, bookmark, and print.

To support the new Library feature, an AnswerBook start-up script, delivered as part of the OpenWindows package, replaces all AnswerBook start-up scripts from previous releases. In addition, installers and administrators of

AnswerBook sets must take some administrative steps to make AnswerBook sets--new and old--available to users. These procedures are discussed in detail in Software and AnswerBook Packages Administration Guide.

Other Solaris AnswerBooks

Other AnswerBook documentation is available to Solaris users. For example, system administration documents can be viewed in the Solaris 2.4 System Administrator AnswerBook and Solaris command reference pages in the Solaris 2.4 Reference Manual AnswerBook. Both AnswerBooks are on the Solaris 2.4 System CD in the Workgroup Box. For more information, see "Additional AnswerBook Documentation."

For information on Software and Driver Developer AnswerBooks, see "Software and Driver Developer Documentation."

Printed Documents

The following printed documents are provided to the Solaris Desktop Box audience:

• Solaris Roadmap

  Provides a brief overview of the contents of the Solaris Desktop Box and helps you walk through the included documentation.

• Solaris 2.4 Introduction

  Describes the Solaris computing environment and details new features for users.

• Solaris 2.4 Open Issues and Late-Breaking News

  Describes open bugs that a user needs to know, as well as fixed bugs that have been documented in previous Solaris 2.x release notes.

• SPARC: Installing Solaris Software or x86: Installing Solaris Software Provides step-by-step instructions for booting and installing Solaris software on networked and on-networked systems.
• Software and AnswerBook Packages Administration Guide

  Explains how to install Solaris software packages, including AnswerBook packages, from a CD-ROM onto a system or server. Includes instructions for the administrator on how to make AnswerBook on-line documentation available to users on a network.

• Solaris 2.4 SPARC Hardware Platform Guide (SPARC Only) Describes the specifics of installing Solaris for individual OEM platforms.
• x86 Device Configuration Guide (x86 Only) Describes the parameters of x86 devices and encourages methodical planning and recording of specific device information. Provides a strategy for setting component parameters to prevent conflicts.
• Solaris 2.4 x86 Hardware Compatibility List (x86 Only) Provides information about general x86 hardware requirements, supported x86 hardware, and tested x86 system platforms.
• Solaris Quickstart Guide

  Describes how to perform common tasks using Calendar Manager, File Manager, Mail Tool, and Text Editor. Also includes information on using these tools together.

User AnswerBook

The following AnswerBook on-line documents are provided to the Solaris Desktop Box audience in the Solaris 2.4 User AnswerBook:

• Solaris 2.4 Introduction

  Describes the Solaris computing environment and details new features for users.

• Solaris User's Guide

  Provides a detailed description of the applications that constitute the DeskSet environment: File Manager, Mail Tool, Calendar Manager, Text Editor, Workspace Properties, Shell Tool, Command Tool, Console, Clock, Calculator, Performance Meter, Print Tool, Tape Tool, Snapshot, AudioTool, ImageTool, Icon Editor, and Binder.

• Solaris Advanced User's Guide

  Explains how to carry out command-line operations useful to Solaris users, such as using basic SunOS commands, using the vi editor, using printers and mailx, and customizing your work environment.

• Solaris Help Handbooks (on-line only) Describes how to carry out basic tasks using DeskSet applications. To view the handbooks, choose Help from the OpenWindows Workspace menu.

Additional AnswerBook Documentation

The Solaris Workgroup Box contains documentation and licensing for wide network use. The documentation for this audience includes system administrator on-line documentation and printed books.

The following AnswerBook on-line documentation is provided to the Solaris Workgroup system administrator audience:

• Solaris System Administrator AnswerBook
• Solaris Reference Manual AnswerBook

System administrator on-line documentation is provided on the Solaris System AnswerBook CD.

System Administrator AnswerBook Documents

The following System Administrator AnswerBook on-line documents are provided to the Solaris system administrator audience:

• SPARC: Installing Solaris Software and x86: Installing Solaris Software Provides step-by-step instructions for booting and installing Solaris software on networked and on-networked systems.
• User Accounts, Printers, and Mail Administration

  Describes how to set up and administer user and group accounts, user environments, printers, and electronic mail services.

• Security, Performance, and Accounting Administration

  Describes how to set up system and user security, optimize system performance, and track system use through accounting.

• Peripherals Administration

  Describes how to add and configure modems, terminals, disks, CD-ROMs, and diskettes. Also describes how to add device drivers and provides reference material on the Service Access Facility and format utility.

• File System Administration

  Covers administration of file systems, including creating file systems, archiving files, backup and restore procedures, disk management, and troubleshooting.

• Administration Application Reference Manual

  Provides reference information about the suite of graphical user interfaces used to perform system administration tasks.

• Common Administration Tasks

  Contains information about system administration tasks that are performed on a regular basis. Includes information on using Software Manager (a graphical user interface used to add and remove software packages.

• Software and AnswerBook Packages Administration Guide

  Explains how to install Solaris software packages, including AnswerBook packages, from a CD-ROM onto a system or server. Includes instructions for the administrator on how to make AnswerBook on-line documentation available to users on a network.

• SunSHIELD Basic Security Module Guide

  Gives installation and administration instructions for the Solaris SHIELDTM Basic Security Module (BSM). The BSM provides security auditing and a device allocation mechanism defined as C2 Class in the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria.

• TCP/IP Network Administration Guide

  Contains procedures and conceptual information for network administration using the Solaris implementation of the TCP/IP protocol suite. Explains how to set up a local area network, administer its activities, expand an internetwork using point-to-point protocol (PPP) or routers, and transfer files across distant networks using UUCP.

• Name Services Administration Guide

  Presents tasks for setting up and administering the Network Information Service Plus (NIS+) and the Domain Name Service (DNS).

• NFS Administration Guide

  Describes how to administer resource-sharing products to share files and peripherals among a number of systems on the network. Also explains how to administer NFS systems, and how to use the automounter.

• SunDiag User's Guide

  Describes the SunDiagTM system exerciser, which runs diagnostic tests for most hardware systems running the Solaris system. Also explains how to create and develop your own tests for use within the SunDiag environment.

• Solaris 1.x to Solaris 2.x Transition Guide

  Describes what has changed in the Solaris environment for users, system administrators, and developers familiar with the SunOS 4.x release. Also evaluates the availability of all SunOS 4.x interfaces and describes corresponding Solaris features.

• Name Services Configuration Guide

  Describes how to use the Network Information Service Plus (NIS+) scripts to quickly set up an NIS+ domain.

• Direct Xlib User's Guide

  Describes the installation and use of the Direct Xlib end-user product. The Direct Xlib product provides enhanced graphics performance for graphics-intensive Xlib applications.

Reference Manual AnswerBook Documents

The following Solaris Reference Manual AnswerBook on-line documents are provided to the system administrator audience:

• SunOS Reference Manual contains SunOS manual pages, organized by section:

  · man Pages(1): User Commands

  · man Pages(1M): System Administration Commands

  · man Pages(2): System Calls

  · man Pages(3): Library Routines

  · man Pages(4): File Formats

  · man Pages(5): Headers, Tables and Macros

  · man Pages(6): Demos

  · man Pages(7): Special Files

  · man Pages(9): DDI and DKI Overview

  · man Pages(9E): DDI and DKI Driver Entry Points

  · man Pages(9F): DDI and DKI Kernel Functions

  · man Pages(9S): DDI and DKI Data Structures

• OpenWindows Reference Manual contains OpenWindows 3.3 manual pages, organized by section:

  · man Pages(1): User Commands

  · man Pages(1M): System Administration commands

  · man Pages(4): File Formats

  · man Pages(5): Headers, Tables and Macros

  · man Pages(7): Special Files

Software and Driver Developer Documentation

Software and driver developers can extend the Solaris product for their needs by purchasing additional Solaris product boxes, CDs, and documentation.

For more detailed information about Solaris software developers, see Software Developer Kit Introduction. For more detailed information about Solaris driver developers, see Driver Developer Kit Introduction.

Software Developers

The following AnswerBook on-line documentation is provided to the software developer audience:

• Solaris 2.4 Software Developer AnswerBook
• Solaris XIL 1.2 AnswerBook
• Solaris XGL 3.1 AnswerBook
• Solaris 2.4 Reference Manual AnswerBook
• Solaris 2.4 Supplemental Developer AnswerBook
• OpenWindows Developer Guide AnswerBook

Software developers also receive the Motif Developer Set, which contains on-line PostScript files.

Software developer on-line documentation is provided on the Solaris Software Developer Kit CD.

Driver Developers

The following AnswerBook on-line documentation is provided to the driver developer audience:

• Solaris 2.4 Driver Developer AnswerBook
• Solaris 2.4 Reference Manual AnswerBook
• Solaris 2.4 Supplemental Developer AnswerBook

Driver developer on-line documentation is provided on the Solaris Driver Developer Kit CD.

Additional Information

Additional sources of information about Solaris 2.4 are available. The following is a brief list of places to look for assistance, information, and support in working with Solaris 2.4:

• TM · SunSoft Press--Publishes 3rd party books about Solaris topics.
• SunExpress^(R)--A quick-delivery customer distribution channel for SMI software, peripherals, documentation, hardware accessories, and (some) third party software.
• SunSoft Customer Support--Internal SunSoft group set up to help customers with their Solaris needs.
• SunSoft Customer Education--Internal SunSoft group that provides Solaris and application training to SunSoft customers and users.
• SMI (Sun Microsystems, Inc.) Customer Education--Internal SMI group that provides Solaris and application training to SMI customers and users.
• SunSolveTM--A SunSoft database provided to customers on CD-ROM that answers many of the common questions about Solaris, including a variety of troubleshooting solutions.