Editing Solaris 10 System Administration Part I (section)

=== x86/x64 partitions & slices ===

recommended that you use fdisk menu & format utility to create or modify fdisk partition table

2nd sector of Solaris fdisk partition contains a partition table that defines slices within Solaris fdisk partition, the label that contains this partition table is known as x84/x64 VTOC

using format utility Solaris fdisk partition can be divided into ten slices [0-9]. Slices 0-7 are used for the same purposes as SPARC SMI labels. Slice 2 represents entire disk drive. Slice 8 & 9 are used for purposes relating to x86/x64 hardware

format utility automatically creates slice 8 & 9 when x86/x64 VTOC is defined within Solaris fdisk partition. slice 8 is always required, slice 9 exists, unassigned, on SCSI or Fibre-Channel disks. format utility prevents modifying slices 8 & 9

Solaris OS systems on x86/x64 platforms create device files to support 16 slices for each disk [0-15]. format utility limits to slices 0-7. Solaris x86/x64 systems also create device files that represent four possible fdisk partitions

slice 8 is boot slice by default & contains GRUB stage1 program in sector 0, the Solaris disk label & VTOC in sectors 1 & 2, & GRUB stage2 program beginning at sector 50. Slice 8 occupies the 1st cylinder [0] of Solaris fdisk partition

IDE/SATA disk drives slice 9 is tagged alternates slice. If slice 9 is defined it occupies 2nd & 3rd cylinder [1-2] of Solaris fdisk partition & contains blocks used to store bad block info