There are scenarios where you cannot untar a certain package with the builtin tar utility. A best example would be when you use it to untar the MySQL Packages downloaded from
Follow the procedures listed below to sucessfully install GNU Tar installed in Sun Solaris.
Download the GNU tar (tar-1.15.1) for your Solaris version and platform (SPARC/X86) from,
Once downloaded, change to the directory where the file is downloaded (ex: /export/software/)
# cd /export/software
Now, unzip using,
# gzip -d tar-1.15.1-sol8-sparc-local.gz
NOTE: File Name varies as per your solaris version/platform
Once done, install the package using,
# pkgadd -d tar-1.15.1-sol9-sparc-local
NOTE: Be sure that you change to the directory and and just enter the package name after -d
Answer the prompts for confirmation and creation of new folder (if required).
This completes the installation.
To check the installation,
# pkginfo | grep tar
This will show up as
application SMCtar GNU tar..
To confirm with more details,
#pkginfo -l SMCtar
This should do.
I’ve succesfully installed the package with this how-to.
But how can i now use the new tar application?
When i type in ‘tar’ i still use the old one.
If you’re ssh’d into the box, make sure you quit your ssh session and log back in. That should fix the issue if your terminal is using the old tar.
It worked for me.
I have install below GNU tar
“SUNWgtar gtar – GNU tar”
I question is how to use GNU tar(procedure) for untar the tomcat on soalris.
Pls give the solution for it.
Since you will have the system bin directories previously in your PATH, just use the full path:
# /usr/local/bin/tar xf FILE_TO_UNTAR
Thanks excellent
which environment variable I need to set so that applications know that this lib installed.
Thanks