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Solaris Live Transcripts Index April 19, 2001Chat Title: Hardware Certification This is a moderated forum LizA: Welcome to Solaris Live! We're very happy to have Rory O'Donnell and Liam Grogan back with us to talk about Sun's new Systems Hardware Certification Program. Rory, Liam, it's great to have you back. LiamG: Hi, thanks for having us back. Just to introduce myself, my name is Liam Grogan and I am one of the engineers on the HCTS test suite development team. RoryO: Hi, my name is Rory O'Donnell; I manage the test development group. I am glad to have the opportunity to answer any questions you might have. Good to be back! LizA: Then let me start by asking you whether the new Systems Hardware Certification Program is the same as the Solaris (Intel Platform Edition) Hardware Certification Program. LiamG: Yes. The new systems hardware certification program includes the functions of the Solaris Operating Environment (Intel Platform Edition) hardware certification program (System certification) and the device driver verification program (Controller certification). LizA: Well, why is Sun merging the two existing certifcation programs for Intel? Roryo: We feel IHVs and OEMS prefer all certification options in a single location, it is easier to manage. LizA: Are there changes other than merging the two programs? LiamG: Yes, we have added two new items. First, level 2 systems certification. Once a system passes this level of certification, the system will be given a priority listing in the Solaris (Intel Platform Edition) Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), and the vendor might be eligible to apply for the Solaris Ready logo. Second, serial I/O testing at levels 1 and 2 has been added for controller certification. LizA: Are there changes other than merging the two programs? LiamG: As I mentioned, we added another level of testing to the system side. Within this we have updated a number of our tests to give a greater test coverage. LizA: What is the cost of certifying with this new program? RoryO: No change in this area; Sun does not charge IHVs or OEMs for controller or systems hardware certification. LizA: How often do I have to certify my hardware to stay on the current HCL? RoryO: For both level 1 and 2 certification, controllers need to be certified once for each new Solaris Operating Environment release, but not for Solaris software updates.... RoryO: For systems certification a sample number of systems should be re-certified for each new Solaris release. LizA: How long does it take to certify systems or controllers? LiamG: There is no change for controllers. The Level 1 controller test suite takes one day...four hours of this is automated. Level 2 however takes 5 days, 72 hours of which are automated. System certification takes a similar amount of time, one day for level 1 all of which is automated...Level 2 for systems takes 5 days, again all of this is automated. LindaF: Where are the Level 1 & 2 test suites available? RoryO: LindaF, the test suite is available for download at http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/hcl/hcts/ This is the current Beta version.... FCS is expected in June. LindaF: What benefit does this "priority listing" of Level 2 certified systems get me? Why would I want to go through the extra effort? RoryO: LindaF, Once a system passes this level of certification, the system will be given a priority listing on the Solaris (Intel Platform Edition) Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) ..... RoryO: In addition the vendor may be eligible to apply for the Solaris Ready logo. LizA: What kind of support do you provide for developers who are trying to certify their hardware? And can I get help if I have problems with the test suite? RoryO: For controller vendors please email controllers-one@Sun.com for support on the Level one test suite...for Level 2 controller questions please email systems-two@Sun.com. For systems email systems-one@Sun.COM. We also have an alias for questions unrelated to the test suite at x86-certify@cypress.west.sun.com LizA: Will Sun provide support for my hardware? RoryO: Sun will support the Solaris Operating Environment on any system listed in the HCL......However, Sun does not support Intel Architecture-based hardware in exactly the same manner as it supports SPARC hardware..... RoryO: For additional information on support options, please visit the http://supportforum.sun.com/freesolaris/techfaqs.html jearl: If I've got an Ethernet Card and it's already on the HCL, and I have a driver update, do I have to submit again to remain on the HCL? LiamG: jearl, yes you do have to submit again. We feel that any unpdate in the driver is reason enough to ask for a resubmission. LizA: Is it possible to write a driver that will support hardware on both SPARC and IA based systems? If so, how would I do it? LiamG: Since Solaris 2.5.1, it has been possible to write device drivers using a single source for SPARC and Intel Architecture platforms....Developers can get further information at the following URL... /prodtech/solaris/driverdev/index.html Teri & Glenn: What are you future plans for certifying video and audio drivers? LiamG: Teri & Glenn, we are currently in the research phase of delivering a testing module for video and audio drivers...keep your browser pointed at the Solaris hub of the Sun Developer Network for further updates. As yet we do not have a time frame, however we believe it will be sooner rather than later. LindaF: So if I do write a SPARC and Intel driver, can I certify both drivers? RoryO: LindaF, to certify an Intel driver you can use our test suite.....the following URL: the Solaris hub of the Sun Developer Network to certify Sparc drivers you need to visit the Solaris Ready Logo site...http://www.sun.com/solarisready/ jearl: What is the time frame from when I send in something to be certified and when someone actually starts the certification? RoryO: jearl, our program is based on self-certification. You download the tests and run the tests ....1 day for Level 1 ....5 days for Level 2. When you have passed the tests, you simply submit the test results to us for auditing. LindaF: What other sorts of technologies might you support in the future? LiamG: LindaF, we are working on Audio and Video at the moment ..... LiamG: When that is completed we will look to add Peripheral devices, such as Tape devices and USB devices. LizA: Is this new program open to everyone? RoryO: Yes it is , these are design guidelines for drivers, but it is open to all and free of charge. LizA: Do I need to sign an agreement to verify my drivers? and if so, do I incur any liability by signing? RoryO: When you decide to verify your product under this program, you will sign a standard legal agreement similar to those used in the verification programs offered by other OS vendors......You will not incur any liability by signing this agreement. LizA: Our thanks to Liam and Rory...we appreciate having you here today. Do you want to say anything else as we sign off? RoryO: Just to thank everyone for their questions and to you Liz ...for inviting us back. Thank you. April 19, 2001 | ||||||||
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