Creating LDOMs (Logical Domains) on Oracle Solaris servers (specifically on SPARC-based Oracle servers) involves using the Oracle VM Server for SPARC (previously called LDOMs) to partition the hardware into multiple isolated virtual servers. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Verify Hardware and Software Requirements

1. Make sure the server is a SPARC T-series or M-series.
2. Verify the system has Oracle VM Server for SPARC installed.
3. Ensure you have administrator/root access.

Check hardware:

ldm list-devices

• Confirms the system supports LDOMs.

Step 2: Create a Control Domain

• The control domain manages the other LDOMs (guest domains).
• Typically, the control domain is installed on the primary OS instance.

Check existing control domain:

ldm list

• Shows the current domains, if any.

Step 3: Configure the Logical Domains

• Use the ldm command to create and configure new domains.

Example: Create a New Domain

ldm add-domain myldom

• myldom is the name of the new logical domain.

Assign Resources

• Assign CPUs, memory, and virtual I/O:

ldm set-vcpu 4 myldom         # 4 virtual CPUs
ldm set-memory 8G myldom      # 8 GB memory
ldm add-vdsdev vdisk mydisk myldom  # Virtual disk
ldm add-vntsd net mynet myldom      # Virtual network

• vdsdev: Virtual disk devices
• vntsd: Virtual network devices

Step 4: Save the Configuration

• After assigning resources, save the domain configuration:

ldm bind myldom
ldm start myldom

• bind prepares the domain for activation.
• start boots the domain.

Step 5: Install Solaris in the Guest Domain

• Boot the guest domain from:
  • Network install (JumpStart/Autoinstall)
  • Virtual media (vdsdev)

Example:

ldm start -c myldom

• The -c option starts the domain console for installation.

Step 6: Verify the Domain

• Check domain status:

ldm list
ldm list -l myldom

• Confirms CPU, memory, network, and disk allocations.

Step 7: Manage LDOMs

• Dynamic resource management: Adjust CPUs or memory without rebooting the guest domain.

ldm set-vcpu 6 myldom   # increase CPUs
ldm set-memory 16G myldom

• Shutdown or remove domain:

ldm stop myldom
ldm unbind myldom
ldm remove-domain myldom

Tips

• Always maintain a control domain for managing resources.
• Use vdsdev and vntsd devices for flexible storage and network mapping.
• Document the configuration for recovery and scaling.

✅ In short:

1. Verify SPARC hardware and Oracle VM Server
2. Create a control domain (if not existing)
3. ldm add-domain <name> → assign CPU, memory, network, and disk
4. ldm bind → ldm start → install Solaris OS
5. Verify and manage domains using ldm commands