Installing Solaris 11 Express domU under CentOS 5 dom0

First, download Solaris 11 Express from Oracle.

Install Solaris 11 Express HVM domU with virt-install:

virt-install -n sx11 -r 2048 --vcpus=4 --os-type=solaris --os-variant=opensolaris \
-v -c /path/to/sol-11-exp-201011-text-x86.iso --disk path=sx11.img,size=20 \
-b br1 --vnc --noautoconsole

Of course, adjust domU memory (-r), vcpus, path to Solaris 11 Express DVD, disk path, network bridge (-b).

After installation has started, you can connect to the VNC display. First, determine which port:

virsh vncdisplay sx11
:8

Finish the installation as usual. After reboot, you can start the Solaris 11 Express domU:

virsh start sx11

or have the domain autostarted at dom0 boot:

virsh autostart sx11

Or disable autostarting

virsh autostart --disable sx11

Enjoy!