I hesitate writing this entry, because no good can come of it. But I want you to grasp the new reality.

This is mail that just came across the OpenSolaris Security list:

On 11/03/10 20:07, Pete Chan wrote:
> Hello. Does any one know if Oracle has any plans in incorporating SSH
> HPN in the new release of Solaris?

Oracle's plans for features in future releases of Solaris are unlikely to be communicated here.

Please contact Oracle via your normal support/sales channels.

--
Darren J Moffat

WOW! Talk about slamming the door on the fingers. Not even the courtesy of a BS response like “Good idea” or “Unlikely due to its current state” or something…. just slams the door. I’m amazed and saddened.

Its here… Solaris 11 Express. Billed as snv_151a.

You can download it immediately. Be careful when you do so, the version most people will want is the LiveCD, which is under the “Other Downloads” section. If you download the “Text Only” version you will not get a desktop environment. Maybe a subtle hint about the return of Solaris as a server centric OS.

Lets get the bad news out of the way…. No source. If that’s a deal killer for you, go download OpenIndiana based on Illumos.

So, if you aren’t as principled and just want to get back to the latest and greatest from Sun/Oracle you can wipe out your workstation and have a go with the LiveCD. So long snv_134 (ie: the now dead last release of OpenSolaris).

The important news is really for enterprise shops that plan to continue with Solaris. If you’ve spent time with OpenSolaris then you already know most of what you need to. If you didn’t soak into OpenSolaris then you need to start getting up to speed now. Your primary concern will be IPS, ZFS Boot Environment (no more UFS root), and Automated Installer (AI). You’ll need all the time you can get to familiarize yourself with these big changes prior to Solaris 11′s real arrival.

Besides the “catchup” from snv_134, which is itself significant, namely in the networking space (VRRP, w00t!), snv_151 includes ZFS Encryption. ZFS Crypto has been talked about for years now, but its here at last. Darren Moffat shared the good news in his blog. Give it a read for all the crypto-ee goodness.

So sink in your teeth and enjoy the sweet taste while it lasts. The gravy train is over and I don’t expect much more to write-home about, some tweeks but nothing fantastical. Get ready for the new normal, and keep Illumos visible in the corner of your eye to see some real innovation start to unfold there.

LISA is happening this week in San Jose and today is the Solaris Summit. Its a free event, so if your in the Silicon Valley come by… if not, the rest of you can watch the live stream.

I wouldn’t expect much in the way of surprises in the event. If your reading this your already tapped into the OpenSolaris community and thus know whats coming.