During the development of Oracle Solaris 11, one of the main goals was to modernize the operating system and remove some of the existing frustrations that our administrative audience had in deploying and using the platform within data centers around the world. That meant a comprehensive clean out of some existing technologies to provision the operating system (replacing Jumpstart with Automated Installer) and manage system software (replacing SVR4 with IPS packaging), consolidate the vast spectrum of networking configuration, and enhance the user environment to provide familiarity for those who were used to administering Linux environments among many other things. While some considered the changes to Oracle Solaris 11 as a negative change, most will be impressed at how far we've come - the deeper integration of key technologies, presented in a consolidated and consistent form. It is easier to administer the Oracle Solaris platform that ever before, and I have no doubt that administrators coming from other platforms will be hugely impressed with what they see, especially if they're judging based on past experiences of Solaris 8 and Solaris 9. In fact I'd go further to say that Oracle Solaris 11 is a more powerful, integrated and usable platform that most Linux platforms I've seen.

But as with anything, there's always an initial learning curve to get through. We've provided a significant selection of learning materials out on the Oracle Solaris 11 pages on Oracle Technology Network and some great training and certification options.

One more option is now available in the form of a book, the Oracle Solaris 11 System Administration The Complete Reference. This provides an exceptional reference to help administrators learn about Oracle Solaris 11, especially those who have come from the Linux platform. As is quoted in the first chapter of the guide:

Linux users and developers will find in Oracle Solaris 11 a familiar and quickly productive working environment; we point out similarities and differences between the Linux and Solaris kernels and system administration tools, and describe how typical open source Web development tasks are accomplished in this OS.

So I would encourage you to take a read of it and start seriously considering Oracle Solaris 11 to be a platform choice for your data center. Oracle Solaris 11 System Administration The Complete Reference - yours for only $32.50 (if you successfully use the promotion code - otherwise worth shopping around to pick up a good deal).