Below is what I've found to be the cleaner steps for installation.
If upgrading, remove previous versions.
Each existing VM configuration won't be lost.
# pkgrm SUNWvbox
Download and extract it to an empty folder:
# tar xzf VirtualBox-<version>.tar.gz
The subsequent installation action (pkgadd) may create the directory /opt/VirtualBox. If you pre-created it as the mountpoint of a ZFS dataset dedicated to VirtualBox files, then make sure you adjust the ownership attributes (chgrp) to root:bin, otherwise the installation will fail.
Install the stream package:
# pkgadd -n -a autoresponse -d VirtualBox-<version>.pkg all
Checking package dependencies...
Done.
Checking for older bits...
- Unloaded: Web service
- Unloaded: Balloon control service
- Unloaded: Zone access service
Installing new ones...
Detected Solaris 5.11 Version 175
Loading VirtualBox kernel modules...
- Loaded: Host module
- Loaded: NetAdapter module
- Loaded: NetFilter (Crossbow) module
- Loaded: USBMonitor module
- Loaded: USB module
Configuring services...
- Loaded: Zone access service
Installing MIME types and icons...
Installing Python bindings...
- Installed: Bindings for Python 2.6
Updating the boot archive...
Installation of <SUNWvbox> was successful.
Done.
Checking for older bits...
- Unloaded: Web service
- Unloaded: Balloon control service
- Unloaded: Zone access service
Installing new ones...
Detected Solaris 5.11 Version 175
Loading VirtualBox kernel modules...
- Loaded: Host module
- Loaded: NetAdapter module
- Loaded: NetFilter (Crossbow) module
- Loaded: USBMonitor module
- Loaded: USB module
Configuring services...
- Loaded: Zone access service
Installing MIME types and icons...
Installing Python bindings...
- Installed: Bindings for Python 2.6
Updating the boot archive...
Installation of <SUNWvbox> was successful.
# pkginfo -l SUNWvbox
PKGINST: SUNWvbox
NAME: Oracle VM VirtualBox
CATEGORY: application
ARCH: i386
VERSION: 5.0.16,REV=2016.03.04.18.00.105871
BASEDIR: /
VENDOR: Oracle Corporation
DESC: A powerful PC virtualization solution
PSTAMP: vbox20160304180116_r105871
INSTDATE: Mar 11 2016 00:11
HOTLINE: Please contact your local service provider
EMAIL: info@virtualbox.org
STATUS: completely installed
FILES: 355 installed pathnames
12 linked files
23 directories
29 executables
6 setuid/setgid executables
439160 blocks used (approx)
Install the extension pack:
# VBoxManage extpack install --replace
/.../..._VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-<version>.vbox-extpack
0%...10%...20%...30%...40%...50%...60%...70%...80%...90%...100%
Successfully installed "Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack".
Successfully installed "Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack".
Check everything so far:
# VBoxManage list hostinfo | less
# VBoxManage list extpacks | less
# VBoxManage list systemproperties | less
Tune down ZFS ARC maximum bytes for better guests' performance:
(and let's say you set aside 5% to the kernel)
# grep zfs_arc_max /etc/system
set zfs:zfs_arc_max = 0.95 x (RAMphysical - ∑RAMguests) in hexadecimal (0x...)
To find out the current zfs_arc_max value:
# C_MAX=`kstat -n arcstats |
grep c_max |
tr -s '[:space:]' |
cut -f2 -d\ `
- In gigabytes:
# echo "scale=2; $C_MAX / 1024 ^ 3" | bc
- In hexadecimal:
# echo "obase=16; $C_MAX" | bc
NOTE
- A desktop system is not needed as RDP is available.
- Of course, other requirements can affect zfs_arc_max tuning.
- Just for completeness, there exists a zfs_arc_min.
- In Solaris 11.3 user_reserve_hint_pct supersedes zfs_arc_max.