Solaris update woos elderly apps

Sun Microsystems has released a fresh update for Solaris, but the 10 5/08 injection may appeal most to users running older generations of the operating system.

The update features support for virtualized instances of Solaris 8 and 9 to run inside Solaris Containers. So, you can package up those Solaris 8 and 9 apps and pop them on a Solaris 10 box.

Sun reckons the feature will let legacy Solaris users migrate to the latest version of the OS, as well as upgrade any long-in-the-tooth hardware.

A CPU capping feature is also included in the update, which can limit processing power for each individual container.

In addition, Sun is rather proud of adding support for Intel SpeedStep power management technology to 10 5/08. Sun noted that the feature results from the "special collaboration" between the two companies' engineering teams made a little more than a year ago. Aww, that's adorable.

The update is available now as a free download over at yonder hyperlink. Sun's technical breakdown of the latest enhancements is here, or as a series of videos if that's your bag. ®