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OpenIndiana

OpenIndiana is a free, community-developed, illumos-based Unix-like operating system derived from OpenSolaris.

Place
#29 of 42
Score
5.8
OpenIndiana's website

What OpenIndiana is

OpenIndiana is a free, community-developed, illumos-based Unix-like operating system derived from OpenSolaris. It runs on 64-bit x86 PCs, workstations, and servers, and can be installed on physical machines or used as a cloud image. The Hipster branch offers live and text installers, with a MATE-based graphical desktop and command-line shell access. Core technologies include ZFS, DTrace, Crossbow, SMF, FMA, COMSTAR, KVM, Zones, Time-Slider, RBAC, IPMP, and DLMP. OpenIndiana uses the network-based Image Packaging System for installing, searching, and updating software, with beadm for boot environment management. Packages come from the main openindiana.org publisher and an encumbered publisher, while SFE and pkgsrc provide additional options. Hipster is a rolling release with snapshots approximately every six months. The project provides community support through IRC, mailing lists, and its issue tracker.

Good

  • Free plan for 64-bit x86 systems
  • MATE desktop and command-line shell
  • IPS installation, search, and updates
  • Supports physical and cloud deployments
  • Includes ZFS, DTrace, and Zones

Watch out

  • 32-bit systems are unsupported
  • SPARC is unavailable for Hipster
  • Hipster software may be unsuitable for mission-critical production
  • No fixed support duration is stated

Who it suits

OpenIndiana suits people running 64-bit x86 workstations, servers, or PCs who want a free Unix-like system. It also fits administrators needing IPS package management, boot environment tools, and optional SFE or pkgsrc repositories.

Verdict

OpenIndiana combines a free illumos-based system with graphical and command-line operation, broad core technologies, and several software sources. Its rolling Hipster model and unsupported 32-bit and SPARC platforms are important considerations before deployment.

Plans and prices

From OpenIndiana's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2001.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
OpenIndiana HipsterFreeCommunity-developed distribution · x86 64-bit; 32-bit systems unsupported

The facts

Each one read from OpenIndiana's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Additional software
OpenIndiana can use SFE and pkgsrc repositories for additional software options.checked 8 Oct 2001
Core features
Listed features include ZFS, DTrace, Crossbow, SMF, FMA, COMSTAR, KVM, Zones, Time-Slider, RBAC, IPMP, and DLMP.checked 8 Oct 2001
Desktop
The default windowing GUI is based on MATE, and OpenIndiana can also be controlled through a command-line shell.checked 8 Oct 2001
Hardware support
OpenIndiana works on most x86 PCs; 32-bit systems are unsupported, and the current download page lists 64-bit x86 images.checked 8 Oct 2001
Image integrity
The download page says installations can receive security fixes through regular Hipster repository updates and that images have been signed with the OpenIndiana Release Engineering GPG key since 2017.04.checked 8 Oct 2001
Licensing
OpenIndiana contains software under multiple licenses, including CDDL-1.0, PDL, MIT, BSD 2-Clause, and GNU licenses.checked 8 Oct 2001
Notable limit
The project warns that Hipster's frequently updated software warrants caution in mission-critical production environments.checked 8 Oct 2001
Packages
OpenIndiana uses the network-based Image Packaging System (IPS) to install and update software.checked 8 Oct 2001
Release cadence
The project says it releases a Hipster snapshot approximately every six months, and describes Hipster as a rapid development branch.checked 8 Oct 2001
Repositories
Its package sources include the main openindiana.org publisher and an encumbered publisher for multimedia codecs and other components that may be subject to software patents.checked 8 Oct 2001
Security
The project says it seeks to quickly mitigate known flaws in the actively maintained Hipster branch and asks users to report concerns through its bug tracker.checked 8 Oct 2001
Support
Community support is available through IRC, mailing lists, and the issue tracker; the project is developed and maintained by volunteers.checked 8 Oct 2001
What it is
OpenIndiana is a community-driven illumos-based Unix-like operating system derived from OpenSolaris.checked 8 Oct 2001
Who it suits
The Hipster snapshots are intended for both workstations and servers, with live and text installer options.checked 8 Oct 2001

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