Archive | August, 2001

The Only Sub-$1000 UNIX Server Now Comes with a Faster Processor, More Memory and Quicker Drives

Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced that it has nearly doubled the performance of its popular rack-optimized Netra[tm] X1 thin server while keeping the same low price of $995. This complete one processor, rack-mountable, thin server presents an affordable entree to Sun[tm] technology for Internet services ranging from e-mail and messaging to Web hosting and DNS services.

Sun has increased the Netra X1 server’s processor speed by 25 percent, doubled the maximum memory capacity, and added larger, faster hard drives without increasing the price. The Netra X1 server ships with the complete Solaris[tm] 8 Operating Environment and Lights Out Management at no additional charge. The new server configuration also supports the Solaris Network Cache Accelerator (NCA) socket. With Solaris 8 OE and Solaris NCA the performance of the new Netra X1 server configuration has been increased almost two-fold as a dedicated web server.

“Digex and Sun engineers worked very closely in qualifying the Netra X1 in the rigorous environment of the Digex Unified Lab and, after thorough testing, we found the Netra X1 performed to the standard that we expect from Sun products,” said Joe Crawford, assistant vice president of engineering at Digex. “As more businesses move their transaction processing to the Internet, this additional hardware component will allow Digex to expand our solutions to a wider spectrum of business models.”

Introduced in January of this year, the Netra X1 is the lowest entry price of any branded UNIX® server. Features include: – Rack-mountable 1 RU height to allow for more servers in existing rack space – Pre-installed Solaris 8 Operating Environment, complete with lights-out management (LOM) software for remote monitoring and control – Small server footprint (17″ width x 13″ depth) for streamlined installation and maintenance – Front and back LEDs, removable system configuration card, space for system label, cable management hardware

Pricing and Availability

Sun’s Netra X1 thin server is now available through Sun and Sun’s existing worldwide sales channels. The starting list price is $995 for a system configured with an UltraSPARC IIe 500MHz processor, 128MB memory (2GB max), 1-40GB hard drive (2 drives max), and Solaris 8 and LOM management software pre-installed.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision — “The Network Is The Computer™” — has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to take their businesses to the nth. With $18.3 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com.

SPARC-FLASH is distributed by SPARC International.

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Please email inquires to sparc-flash-request@sparc.org.

CDW Becomes Sun’s First Volume Channel Provider, Offering Entry-level Sun Servers, Desktops and Appliances

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) today announced a new category of partners within its iForce[sm] program, Volume Channel Providers (VCPs). VCPs will offer Sun’s low cost entry-level servers, desktops and appliances to small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), marking its entry to the volume market. CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq:CDWC), a direct solutions provider of technology products and services, is Sun’s first VCP.

The VCP program marks Sun’s entrance into the volume server marketplace, currently populated with Wintel-based systems. Gary Grimes, vice president of partner management and sales operations for Sun Microsystems said, “Recent analyst studies show that Sun is outpacing its competitors in the high-end UNIX[R] space and winning in the mid-range server market. SPARC/Solaris technology with its inherent scalability and widely-recognized Sun reliability also clearly meets the needs of the small to medium-size business community.

“Volume business doesn’t have to mean PCs and microprocessors,” explained Grimes. “The time is right to work with CDW and other iForce partners to not only capture this market, but to redefine the volume business to focus on the smaller enterprise.”

As a VCP, CDW will focus on high-volume sales to the smaller enterprise, allowing Sun to reach economies of scale to support competitive pricing while maintaining high levels of support and service. In the next quarter, CDW anticipates launching sales of such products as the Sun Cobalt[tm] Server Appliances, Sun Netra[tm] and two-way workgroup servers, and Sun software products through its relationship-based sales force. Pricing for systems will begin at under $1,000.

“Volume channel providers offer a viable volume/value proposition for completing an SMB total back-office solution, such channels are the link to Sun’s target customer. Sun has recognized this and is taking a necessary step, that is, by getting the channel involved with their new solutions offerings,” said Anthony Penzarella, IDC.

“Our small- and medium-sized business customers are considering a wider range of choices for everything from their servers to their desktops,” said Doug Eckrote, senior vice president of purchasing for CDW. “With the trusted set of Sun’s entry-level systems, we will be able to offer our customers an even broader range of solutions to meet their technology needs.”

Sun’s iForce program encourages collaboration between Sun’s iForce partner community to help build highly scalable solutions with reduced risk and improved time-to-service.

The VCP initiative allows for additional partnering opportunities within Sun’s iForce community. Participants will be encouraged to work with VCPs to form alliances for enterprise-level opportunities that may be uncovered by the VCP, as well as installation support for VCP sales.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision — “The Network Is The Computer™” — has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to take their businesses to the nth. With $18.3 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com.