Image Packaging System

Oracle Solaris 11 software is distributed in IPS packages. IPS packages are stored in IPS package repositories, which are populated by IPS publishers. IPS packages are installed into Oracle Solaris 11 images. A subset of the capabilities that are available through the IPS command-line interface is available through the Package Manager graphical user interface.

IPS commands enable you to list, search, install, update, and remove software packages. A single IPS command can update your image to a new operating system release. IPS commands also enable you to manage package publishers and copy or create package repositories.

An image is a location where IPS packages are installed and where other IPS operations can be performed.

A repository is a location where packages are published and from where packages are retrieved. The location is specified by a Universal Resource Identifier (URI).

A publisher identifies a person or organization that publishes one or more packages.

An IPS package includes specifications for installable objects such as files, directories, links, drivers, dependencies, groups, users, and license information. Packages also include metadata such as classification, summary, and description. Each IPS package is represented by a Fault Management Resource Identifier (FMRI). The FMRI includes information about the package such as the package name, publisher, version information, and date. When using IPS commands, you can use the smallest portion of the package name that uniquely identifies the package.