Technical data

Using patchadd With the -R Option To Specify an
Alternative Root Path From Systems That Are Not
Zones Aware Should Be Restricted (6464969)
On systems running a Solaris release that is not zones aware, using patchadd -R,orany
command that accepts the -R option to specify an alternate root path for a global zone that has
non-global zones installed, will not work.
In contrast with the error message that is displayed by using the luupgrade [-t, -T, -p, -P]
command, no error message regarding the use of appropriate command-level restrictions is
displayed in this instance.
There is no indication that the -R option did not work. As a result of the failure of the
command, Solaris 10 packages or patches are not installed on any of the installed non-global
zones.
This problem occurs while installing and uninstalling packages or patches.
Note – The -R option works if the alternate boot environment has congured non-global zones,
but no installed non-global zones. However, to avoid a potential problem, or if you are not sure
whether there are any installed non-global zones used as the alternate root path, restrict the use
of the -R option in all instances.
For more information, see the following man pages :
■
patchadd(1M)
■
patchrm(1M)
■
pkgadd(1M)
■
pkgrm(1M)
Workaround 1: Upgrade the OS to at least the Solaris 10 1/06 release.
If you are running the Solaris 10 3/05 release, install the following patches to enable the use of
commands that accept the -R option to create an alternate root path:
■
Patch ID 119254-19 for SPARC based systems
■
Patch ID 119255-19 for x86 based systems
Workaround 2: Restrict the use of the patchadd -R command or any command that accepts
the -R option to create an alternate root path.
Instead, boot the alternate root, for example, the Solaris 10 release, as the active OS. Then install
and uninstall the Solaris 10 packages and patches without using the -R option.
System Administration
Solaris 10 5/08 Release Notes • April 2008104