UFS Logging Performance Enhancements

This feature is new in the Solaris 9 12/02 release.

UFS logging enables faster system reboots. Because the file system transactions are already stored, checking the file system is not required if the file system is already consistent.

In addition, the performance of UFS logging improves or exceeds the level of performance of nonlogging file systems in this Solaris release. Results of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation system file server (SPECsfs) benchmark show that the performance of NFS-mounted file systems that have logging enabled equals the level of non-UFS logging performance. In some I/O-bound configurations, logging UFS file systems exceed the performance of nonlogging UFS file systems by approximately 25 percent. In other tests, performance of logging UFS file systems is 12 times better than the performance of nonlogging UFS file systems.

For information on how to enable logging on a UFS file system, see the System Administration Guide: Basic Administration or the mount_ufs(1M) man page.

SPARC: Memory Placement Optimization (MPO)

This feature is new in the Solaris 9 9/02 release.

The Solaris dispatcher and the virtual memory subsystem are enhanced to optimize the time that is required for an application to access memory. This enhancement can automatically improve the performance of many applications. This feature is currently implemented to support specific platforms such as the Sun Fire™ 3800-6800, the Sun Fire 12K, and the Sun Fire 15K.

A technical white paper about Solaris Memory Placement Optimization and Sun Fire Servers is available at the following Web site:

http://www.sun.com/servers/wp/docs/mpo_v7_CUSTOMER.pdf

SPARC: Dynamic Intimate Shared Memory (DISM) Large-Page Support

This feature is new in the Solaris 9 9/02 release.

Large-page support is now provided for Dynamic Intimate Shared Memory (DISM). This large-page support can increase the performance of applications that are capable of dynamically adjusting shared memory sizes.

For further information on DISM, see System Performance Enhancements.

Web Browser Enhancements

The Solaris software includes the following browser enhancements from prior Solaris 9 releases.

Netscape 7.0

This feature is new in the Solaris 9 4/03 release.

The Netscape™ 7.0 cross-platform browser integrates features for navigating the Web, communicating with colleagues, participating in discussion groups, and creating dynamic Web pages. The following features are provided in Netscape 7.0.

• Fast and efficient browsing tools

• Integrated mail and instant messaging enhancements

• Faster and streamlined search functions

• Privacy that is more secure

• Enterprise functionality

Netscape 7.0 includes the following highlights.

• Internet Support is provided by the following applications.

  • Netscape Navigator™

  • Netscape Mail

  • Netscape Instant Messenger

  • Netscape Composer

  • Netscape Address Book

  • Additional utilities and plug-ins

• Support for the latest industry standards, including Java technology, IPv6, Platform for Privacy Preferences Project (P3P), XML, Cascading Style Sheets level 1 (CSS1), and data output messaging (DOM) - Enables the creation of a new class of Web applications.

• My Sidebar - Connects users to important information such as breaking news stories, stock portfolios, buddy lists, and auctions.

• Fully customized, integrated search - Helps provide faster access to information, and eliminates waiting to load a search page or open a frame.

• Instant messaging that is integrated with browsing and mail - Increases productivity and enhances your communication with colleagues and friends.

• Themes - Enables users to add personal touches to their browsers. Web sites and businesses can create browsers to their customers' specifications.

• Flexible, modular design - Enhances the user's Web experience and increases productivity.

• Global support for English, European, and Asian languages.

• Integrated Java technology - Delivers cross-platform, seamless access to browser-based applications.

For more information on Netscape 7.0, see the following Web site:

http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/netscape