IPS Overview

The Image Packaging System software is a network-centric packaging system written in Python.

Note -

At this time, the OpenSolaris 2008.05 release is for x86 platforms only.
Both IPS and SVR4 packages are supported for the OpenSolaris 2008.05 release.

With IPS, users can perform the following basic tasks:

You can create your own image.
After you have created your own image, you can install new packages and update existing packages from an IPS repository to your image.
You can manage and search the packages on your image by using IPS commands that reference package attributes.
See IPS for End Users (Tasks).

With IPS, developers can perform the following additional tasks:

You can download developer software such as NetBeans and Sun^TM Studio Express.
See Installing Developer Software (Tasks).
You can create your own network repository.
Create and submit your own packages to an existing network repository.
See IPS for Developers (Commands) and IPS For Developers (Tasks).

IPS Commands

Image Packaging System provides the following commands:

pkg(1): Use the pkg(1) command to create an image, to install packages to your image, and to manage packages on your image.
pkgsend(1): Use the pkgsend(1) command to publish packages from your image to an existing repository.
pkg.depotd(1M): Use the pkg.depotd(1M) command to create and manage your own network repository.

Note - The pkg(5) man page describes the overall Image Packaging System. The pkg(1) man page describes the image packaging retrieval client.

Package Manager (IPS GUI)

The Package Manager is a graphical user interface for IPS. Users can install, update, and manage packages on their system using the Package Manager. See the screencast to learn how to use the Package Manager.