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I need to test a custom binary that was originally compiled for an earlier version of Solaris on Solaris 11.

Being poor, I don't have a spare SPARC server lying around on which I can install Solaris 11, so I will need to emulate one on x86, probably using QEMU, but if there are other tools I can use I'm open to suggestions. I can then use the emulated SPARC to run Solaris 11 (I hope). The specific processor I am interested in emulating is a T4.

This is similar to this old question below:

QEMU: Solaris 11 / Sparc64 Guest on Linux / X86-64 Host

It was closed for being too narrow, but I hope that fact that I'm interested in something similar might count in favour of keeping this question open, and possibly re-opening that one.

Update:

It worked, so Oracle's guarantee of 100% backwards compatibility for old Solaris binaries remains intact.

Community
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user3490
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In theory, you could use QEMU... but it looks like it's only good for emulating a SPARCstation 5 running Solaris 2.5 or so. I can't find any reference to anyone having ever made it work as more than a novelty.

I doubt there's any way on earth you're going to get an x86 box to cost-effectively emulate a SPARC T4.

Your best bet—if you can't find someone willing to loan you a SPARC or a login on one—is probably to Google for hosting providers that offer Solaris SPARC hosting, or rent a SPARC.

macwhiz
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