Oracle Solaris 11.4

Basic Information

Oracle Solaris 11.4 is a proprietary Unix operating system offered by Oracle for SPARC and x86-64 based workstations and servers. It represents the latest stable version within the Oracle Solaris 11 series.

• Model: Oracle Solaris 11.4
• Version: 11.4
• Release Date: August 28, 2018
• Minimum Requirements:
  • RAM: 4 GB recommended for general installation; 8 GB for Oracle Solaris Kernel Zones.
  • Disk Space: Varies by installation package group (e.g., solaris-minimal-server, solaris-small-server, solaris-large-server). A minimum of 1 GB is recommended per zone.
• Supported Operating Systems: Oracle Solaris 11.4 is the operating system itself. It supports running native Linux binaries on x86 systems through Solaris Containers for Linux Applications (SCLA).
• Latest Stable Version: Oracle Solaris 11.4 SRU86, released October 21, 2025.
• End of Support Date:
  • Premier Support: November 2031
  • Extended Support: November 2037
  • Sustaining Support: Indefinite
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly defined as a single date; updates are delivered via Support Repository Updates (SRUs) throughout the support lifecycle.
• License Type: Proprietary Unix operating system. While parts were previously open-source under OpenSolaris, Oracle discontinued public updates to the kernel source code, making Solaris 11 a closed-source system.
• Deployment Model: Workstations and servers. It supports bare-metal installations, virtualized environments like Oracle VM VirtualBox and Oracle VM Server for SPARC, and Oracle Solaris Kernel Zones.

Technical Requirements

Oracle Solaris 11.4 is designed to operate across a range of hardware architectures, balancing performance with enterprise-grade stability.

• RAM: A recommended minimum of 4 GB is necessary for a standard installation. For environments utilizing Oracle Solaris Kernel Zones, a minimum of 8 GB of physical RAM is required.
• Processor: The operating system supports Oracle SPARC T4 or later processors, Fujitsu SPARC64 X, X+, or XII processors, and x64 CPUs that support either the Intel EM64T or AMD AMD64 instruction sets.
• Storage: Disk space requirements vary based on the chosen installation package group. The solaris-minimal-server, solaris-small-server, and solaris-large-server groups have differing needs. For each configured zone, a minimum of 1 GB of disk space is recommended.
• Display: Not specified; typically standard display capabilities are sufficient for server operating systems, often managed via command-line interfaces or remote desktop protocols.
• Ports: Network access is a fundamental requirement, particularly for accessing IPS (Image Packaging System) repositories for installation and updates.
• Operating System: Oracle Solaris 11.4 is the base operating system.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

Oracle Solaris 11.4 demonstrates broad platform support, encompassing both its traditional SPARC architecture and the prevalent x64 ecosystem. This dual-platform compatibility allows for flexible deployment across diverse enterprise hardware. The memory requirements are scalable, with a modest baseline for general use and increased demands for advanced virtualization features like kernel zones. Storage needs are adaptable, enabling minimal installations for resource-constrained environments or larger footprints for comprehensive deployments. The emphasis on network access underscores its design for networked enterprise operations and software management.

Support & Compatibility

Oracle Solaris 11.4 provides extensive support and compatibility options tailored for enterprise environments.

• Latest Version: Oracle Solaris 11.4 SRU86, released on October 21, 2025, represents the most current stable update.
• OS Support: It supports systems based on SPARC and x86-64 architectures. Oracle maintains a Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) to identify compatible servers, desktops, laptops, and peripheral devices.
• End of Support Date: Premier Support extends until November 2031, followed by Extended Support until November 2037. Sustaining Support is available indefinitely.
• Localization: The installation process typically includes options for region and language selection.
• Available Drivers: Essential drivers are included with the Oracle Solaris 11.4 OS. Updates and new drivers are delivered through SRUs. Custom driver configurations made in the /etc/driver/drv directory are preserved during system upgrades.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Oracle Solaris 11.4 offers a robust and long-term support lifecycle, extending well over a decade, which is a significant advantage for mission-critical enterprise deployments. The commitment to binary compatibility ensures that older applications can run on newer Oracle Solaris 11.4 systems, protecting existing software investments. Its broad hardware support across both SPARC and x86-64 platforms, coupled with a well-defined driver management system and regular updates via SRUs, ensures strong compatibility and ongoing operational stability for a wide range of enterprise hardware.

Security Status

Oracle Solaris 11.4 integrates a comprehensive array of security features designed to protect systems at multiple layers.

• Security Features:
  • Secure Sandboxes: Allows execution of untrusted processes in temporary or persistent isolated environments.
  • Compliance Assessment: Enables periodic system security posture assessments with centralized reporting.
  • File and Process Labeling: Provides a framework for restricting access to sensitive information based on labels and user clearances.
  • Silicon Secured Memory (SSM): Offers enhanced exploit mitigation controls, automatically protecting applications and the kernel on SPARC systems.
  • Packet Filter (PF) Firewall: Replaces IP Filter, providing advanced TCP/IP traffic filtering, bandwidth management, and packet prioritization.
  • Key Management Interoperability Protocol (KMIP) Client Support: Enables communication with KMIP-compliant servers for key management.
  • Cryptographic Framework: A central store for cryptographic functions, including FIPS 140-2 approved modules and support for PKCS #11 v2.40.
  • Verified Boot: Conforms to UEFI v2.3.1 Errata B on x86 systems and requires firmware upgrades for enforced verified boot on some SPARC platforms.
  • ZFS Encryption: Supports encryption of ZFS file systems using AES, leveraging hardware acceleration via the Cryptographic Framework.
  • Auditing: Includes per-privilege logging of audit events and enhanced capabilities for compliance standards like PCI DSS and HIPAA.
  • Enhanced elfsign: Improves protection of data from attackers and simplifies algorithm management.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Oracle regularly releases Support Repository Updates (SRUs) to address security issues in various components, such as Django, Firefox, BIND, PHP, OpenSSL, and others.
• Blacklist Status: Not specified in available information.
• Certifications: The Cryptographic Framework includes FIPS 140-2 approved modules.
• Encryption Support: Supports ZFS encryption (AES), KMIP client support, and cryptographic services via the Cryptographic Framework and OpenSSL.
• Authentication Methods: Supports MIT Kerberos and SASL plugins.
• General Recommendations: Oracle recommends configuring security features, preventing buffer overflows, customizing auditing, safeguarding hardware settings, disabling unneeded services, and verifying packages to enhance system security.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Oracle Solaris 11.4 provides a robust and multi-layered security architecture. Its comprehensive feature set, including secure sandboxes, advanced exploit mitigation (SSM), FIPS 140-2 certified cryptography, and granular access controls (file/process labeling), positions it as a highly secure operating system suitable for environments with stringent security and compliance requirements. Regular SRU releases demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing known vulnerabilities and maintaining a strong security posture. The integration of ZFS encryption and KMIP support further enhances data protection capabilities.

Performance & Benchmarks

Oracle Solaris 11.4 is recognized for its strong performance characteristics in enterprise environments.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, publicly available benchmark scores are not detailed in the provided information.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: The operating system is known for its scalability, stability, and performance, particularly when deployed on SPARC systems. It offers the latest innovations and aims for optimal performance.
• Power Consumption: Not explicitly detailed in the provided information.
• Carbon Footprint: Not explicitly detailed in the provided information.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Historically, Solaris has been noted for its scalability and reliability, often compared favorably to Linux, and was considered years ahead in certain technological areas.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

While specific benchmark figures are not readily available, Oracle Solaris 11.4 consistently receives recognition for its inherent stability, scalability, and performance, especially within its native SPARC ecosystem. Its architectural design, incorporating features like DTrace for system observability and ZFS for advanced file system management, contributes to its reputation for efficient resource utilization and data integrity. The platform is positioned as a high-performance solution for mission-critical enterprise workloads.

User Reviews & Feedback

User feedback and reviews highlight several key aspects of Oracle Solaris 11.4.

• Summary: Users generally praise Oracle Solaris 11.4 for its stability, scalability, and reliability, making it a preferred choice for mission-critical enterprise workloads. There is an acknowledgment of Solaris's historical technological advancements, with some noting it was ahead of its time in certain areas compared to other operating systems like Linux. However, some organizations find themselves maintaining Solaris due to deeply embedded legacy systems, which can present challenges in modernization or migration efforts.
• Strengths:
  • Exceptional stability and reliability for demanding enterprise applications.
  • High scalability, particularly on SPARC hardware.
  • Innovative features such as DTrace for system diagnostics and ZFS for advanced file system management.
  • Long-term support commitment from Oracle, ensuring longevity and continued updates.
  • Strong binary compatibility, allowing older applications to run on newer versions.
• Weaknesses:
  • Proprietary nature, which can limit community contributions and transparency compared to open-source alternatives.
  • Perception as a "legacy" system for some, leading to potential challenges in attracting new talent or integrating with modern development ecosystems.
  • Difficulty for existing users to migrate away from Solaris due to entrenched systems and significant re-engineering costs.
• Recommended Use Cases: Oracle Solaris 11.4 is highly recommended for mission-critical enterprise workloads that demand extreme stability, high scalability, and robust performance. It is particularly well-suited for organizations with existing investments in SPARC hardware or those requiring the advanced features and long-term support offered by the platform.

Summary

Oracle Solaris 11.4 stands as a robust and highly capable Unix operating system, primarily targeting enterprise-grade workstations and servers. Released in August 2018, it continues Oracle's legacy of delivering a stable, scalable, and high-performance platform. A significant strength lies in its extended support lifecycle, with Premier Support until November 2031 and Extended Support until November 2037, backed by indefinite Sustaining Support. This long-term commitment is crucial for organizations with mission-critical applications requiring enduring stability and security.

Technically, Solaris 11.4 offers broad hardware compatibility, supporting both Oracle's SPARC processors and mainstream x64 architectures. Minimum requirements are reasonable, with 4 GB RAM recommended for general use and 8 GB for kernel zones, alongside flexible disk space options. Its binary compatibility guarantee ensures that older applications can run seamlessly, protecting existing software investments.

Security is a paramount feature, with a comprehensive suite of protections including Secure Sandboxes, Silicon Secured Memory (SSM), a Packet Filter firewall, FIPS 140-2 certified Cryptographic Framework, ZFS encryption, and Verified Boot. Regular Support Repository Updates (SRUs) consistently address vulnerabilities, reinforcing its strong security posture.

While specific performance benchmarks are not extensively detailed, Oracle Solaris 11.4 is consistently lauded for its inherent scalability, stability, and performance, especially on SPARC systems, and is considered a leader in certain technological innovations like DTrace and ZFS. User feedback generally praises its reliability for demanding workloads, though its proprietary nature and the challenge of migrating legacy systems are noted weaknesses.

In conclusion, Oracle Solaris 11.4 is an excellent choice for enterprises prioritizing extreme stability, high scalability, and advanced security features, particularly those with existing SPARC infrastructure or a need for long-term, guaranteed support. Its strengths in security, performance, and compatibility make it a robust platform for critical enterprise applications. However, organizations considering new deployments should weigh its proprietary nature and potential for vendor lock-in against the benefits of its mature and highly reliable ecosystem.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.