Does this page on Solaris requirements mean that I have to have 768 mb of RAM? Isn't that a little much? I have 256 mb, and can even run WindowsXP. Vista doesn't even require that.

I've installed Solaris 10 in Vmware with 512MB. The installation went fine, so 768 is not the absolute minimum.

Hi.

Recent Solaris 10 releases need a minimum of 256MB to boot, but I'm running Solaris 10 3/05 on 128MB

Dave

This page is for Solaris Express Developer Edition, barebone Solaris 10 has lower requirements.
The requirement is for installation, after that you can run in server mode (no GUI) with much lower RAM. If you need a GUI, better not using JDS (Gnome) but CDE or better, something like icewm.

Well, I have to install it. Lol. I got the developer edition because I'm going to need it. Can I install and run it with only 256? I am planning on getting another 512 anyway, but until then...

I don't think the installation would succeed with only 256 MB. I you try it anyway, choose the text only console mode.

Sounds fun. I am planning on buying more RAM soon anyway, so I will just install it afterwords. What takes up so much memory in a UNIX system like this? Just the GUI for the installation?

Not only the GUI but the whole system run on RAM, including a RAM based file-system (like a live distro) and a couple of JVMs. There is no swap space to allow pagination during installation.

The current SPARC version of Solaris installs in text mode on 256MB, but then runs the full GUI once installed. There's a lot of paging activity, but once you're going and working on something it performs fine. Just loading/closing apps takes a longer than usual time.

OK, how difficult is the text install? I just received my disc today, it only been a week since I ordered it. I am impressed, I live in Indiana and it shipped from CA, so they took care of it quickly.

Also, is there a way to just install "barebone" solaris and put the developer tools in after I get my ram?

I am still holding onto the disc-do I try the install or not?

Buy 1GiB first !

I can't afford it, I am going for a 512 soon, so I will have the 768. How bad is the text install?

Should I go ahead and try the text install?

Text install isn't any harder than GUI. You just tab around in a text box with your keyboard instead of clicking around the GUI with the mouse. Same screens, same setup.

256MB results in a lot of paging, but will work. 512MB is a realistic minimum. You can open "larger" apps (Netbeans, etc.) reasonably, but you don't want to do more than one. 1GB lets you multitask large apps with decent performance. At 2GB, the system seems to work best and can support a couple of users comfortably on SunRay (1GB is doable for a couple people, but can slowdown if the users aren't using the same apps).