Setting Package Parameters For Zones

Packages have parameters that control how their content is distributed and made visible on a system with non-global zones installed. The SUNW_PKG_ALLZONES, SUNW_PKG_HOLLOW, and SUNW_PKG_THISZONE package parameters define the characteristics of packages on a system with zones installed. These parameters must be set so that packages can be administered in a system with non-global zones.

The following table lists the four valid combinations for setting package parameters. If you choose setting combinations that are not listed in the following table, those settings are invalid and result in the package failing to install.

Note –

Ensure that you have set all three package parameters. You can leave all three package parameters blank. The package tools interpret a missing zone package parameter as if the setting were “false,” but not setting the parameters is strongly discouraged. By setting all three package parameters, you specify the exact behavior the package tools should exhibit when installing or removing the package.

Table B–3 Valid Package Parameter Settings For Zones


`SUNW_PKG_ALLZONES` Setting	`SUNW_PKG_HOLLOW` Setting	`SUNW_PKG_THISZONE` Setting	Package Description
false	false	false	This is the default setting for packages that do not specify values for all the zone package parameters. A package with these settings can be installed in either the global zone or a non-global zone. If the `pkgadd` command is run in the global zone, the package is installed in the global zone and in all non-global zones. If the `pkgadd` command is run in a non-global zone, the package is installed in the non-global zone only. In both cases, the entire contents of the package is visible in all zones where the package is installed.
false	false	true	A package with these settings can be installed in either the global zone or a non-global zone. If new non-global zones are created after the installation, the package is not propagated to these new non-global zones. If the `pkgadd` command is run in the global zone, the package is installed in the global zone only. If the `pkgadd` command is run in a non-global zone, the package is installed in the non-global zone only. In both cases, the entire contents of the package is visible in the zone where the package is installed.
true	false	false	A package with these settings can be installed in the global zone only. When the `pkgadd` command is run, the package is installed in the global zone and in all non-global zones. The entire contents of the package is visible in all zones. Note – Any attempt to install the package in a non-global zone fails.
true	true	false	A package with these settings can only be installed in the global zone, by the global administrator. When the `pkgadd` command is run, the contents of the package is fully installed in the global zone. If a package has the package parameters set to these values, the package content itself is not delivered on any non-global zone. Only the package installation information necessary to make the package appear to be installed is installed on all non-global zones. This enables the installation of other packages to be installed that depend on this package. For more information on “hollow” packages, see Chapter 24, About Packages and Patches on a Solaris System With Zones Installed (Overview), in System Administration Guide: Solaris Containers-Resource Management and Solaris Zones. For package dependency checking purposes, the package appears to be installed in all zones. In the global zone, the entire contents of the package is visible. In whole root non-global zones, the entire contents of the package is not visible. When a non-global zone inherits a file system from the global zone, a package installed in this file system is visible in a non-global zone. All other files delivered by the package are not visible within the non-global zone. For example, a sparse root non-global zone shares certain directories with the global zone. These directories are read-only. Sparse root non-global zones share the `/platform` file system among others. Another example is packages that deliver files relevant only to booting hardware. Note – Any attempt to install the package in a non-global zone fails.

Description	For More Information
For more details on packages and zones	Chapter 24, About Packages and Patches on a Solaris System With Zones Installed (Overview), in System Administration Guide: Solaris Containers-Resource Management and Solaris Zones
For an overview of sparse and whole root zones	Chapter 16, Introduction to Solaris Zones, in System Administration Guide: Solaris Containers-Resource Management and Solaris Zones
For information about package characteristics and parameters	pkginfo(4)
For information about displaying package parameter values	pkgparam(1)