AMD baserede servere fra Sun bliver en realitet

Sun har netop udsendt en pressemeddelelse hvori det fremgår at de vil lancere servere baseret på AMD Opteron processorer. Dermed er vil der sidde AMD processorer i servere fra to af de største producenter på markedet, IBM og Sun.

SUN AND AMD FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE TO OFFER ENTERPRISE CUSTOMERS EXTREME PERFORMANCE AT COMPELLING PRICES
Sun to Offer New Family of AMD Opteron[tm] Processor-based Systems with Optimized Solaris, Linux and Java Platforms

LAS VEGAS - November 17, 2003 - Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) and AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced a strategic alliance through which Sun will deliver new AMD Opteron[tm] processor-based Sun Fire systems and versions of the Solaris Operating System (OS) and the Java platform as well as Linux OS. The new Sun Fire servers will provide customers with all the benefits of the Solaris OS and the Java Enterprise System running on industry standard x86 architecture with breakthrough AMD Opteron processor performance. The alliance plans to also include long-term joint technology development to create future hardware and software offerings.


"Over the past year we've made a dramatic move in leveraging industry economics to bring customers the enterprise-class benefits of our Solaris OS and Java technology at compelling price points," said Scott McNealy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "This means that Sun customers can now get all the benefits of Solaris OS, Linux and Java technologies running on their choice of UltraSPARC® and x86 systems. With the addition of the AMD Opteron processor, we are setting a new industry standard by delivering even more choice and performance to our customers."

By offering both Solaris OS and Linux, Sun customers will have a choice of enterprise operating systems and access to thousands of applications. In addition, Sun's Java Enterprise System will enable Sun's customers with AMD Opteron processor-based systems to develop and deploy applications in a simple, predictable, cost effective manner.

"Today's agreement with Sun is a strong validation of AMD's growing customer acceptance inside the enterprise," said Hector Ruiz, President and CEO of AMD. "The combination of Sun's network computing expertise and the AMD Opteron processor platform will allow IT customers unprecedented flexibility and scalability. Sun's support adds additional momentum to our growing AMD Opteron processor ecosystem."

"In May of this year, Scott and I outlined our vision for a highly scalable but low-cost computing infrastructure," said Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corporation. "Today, Sun, AMD and Oracle are working together to deliver on that vision. Soon Oracle will run on AMD Opteron under both Solaris and Linux. These new systems offer the rare combination of 64-bit big system performance and a very low price tag."

The strategic alliance between the two companies will include:

A full range of AMD Opteron processor-based Sun Fire systems from Sun: Throughout the course of 2004, Sun will introduce new AMD Opteron processor powered systems. The current roadmap calls for two and four-way servers to be rolled-out within the next calendar year.


Solaris OS and Sun's Java Enterprise System optimization for the AMD Opteron processor: Sun and AMD will collaborate to accelerate the platform development, optimize the performance and increase enterprise adoption for the Solaris OS and Sun's Java Enterprise System running on the AMD Opteron processor. Currently customers can run Solaris software on AMD Opteron in 32-bit mode. Sun plans to make 64-bit Solaris available on the AMD Opteron processor in the first half of 2004.


Future AMD Opteron Processor-based Designs: Sun and AMD will collaborate on a portfolio of future AMD Opteron processor-based systems and scalability beyond 4-way AMD Opteron processor systems. The parties will also collaborate on coherent HyperTransport? technology implementations.


Joint ISV Development Program: Sun and AMD will jointly form an iForce Partner Program for ISVs and developers creating and porting applications to the Solaris OS. This new program will include engineering support from both companies, a seed unit program for ISVs as well as a Sun/AMD Developer Resource Kit, which is available for download at www.sun.com/amd or www.amd.com/sun.


Joint Customer Centric Marketing Programs: Sun and AMD will collaborate on worldwide marketing activities including a customer seed unit program; joint sales activities; as well as joint product, ISV, developer and channel marketing programs.
Industry Leaders Endorse Alliance

Key independent software vendors such as BEA Systems, Cadence Design System, Inc., Computer Associates, Documentum, MatrixOne, Oracle and Synopsys, Inc., are pledging support for this new standard in network computing.

About AMD

Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, California, AMD (NYSE: AMD) is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets with manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Asia. AMD, a Standard & Poor's 500 company, produces microprocessors, Flash memory devices, and silicon-based solutions for communications and networking applications.

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 make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com



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Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Solaris, Java, Sun Fire, iForce and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All SPARC trademarks are used under license and are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries, exclusively licensed through X/Open Company, Ltd.

AMD, the AMD Arrow Logo, AMD Opteron and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. HyperTransport is a licensed trademark of the HyperTransport Technology Consortium. Sun, Solaris, Java and their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. or other countries.

Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/of its affiliates.

This press release contains projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future products, results or financial performance of Sun Microsystems, Inc., including statements regarding Sun's plans to deliver new AMD Opteron processor-based Sun Fire systems and optimized versions of the Solaris Operating System, the Java Platform, as well as, Linux; that the new servers will provide customers with all the benefits of the industry standard x86 architecture; that the alliance with AMD will include long-term joint technology development to create future hardware and software offerings; that Sun has made a dramatic move in leveraging industry economics to bring customers the enterprise-class benefits of our Solaris and Java technology at compelling price points; that Sun customers can now get all the benefits of Solaris, Linux and Java running on their choice of UltraSPARC and x86 systems; Sun's belief that we are setting a new industry standard by delivering even more choice and performance; that Sun customers will have a choice of enterprise operating systems and access to thousands of applications; that Sun's customers will be able to develop and deploy applications in a simple, predictable, cost effective manner; that the strategic alliance will include a full range of AMD Opteron processor-based Star Fire systems from Sun; that through the course of 2004, Sun will introduce new AMD Opteron processor powered systems; that the current roadmap calls for two and four-way servers to be rolled out within the next calendar year; Sun's intent to collaborate with AMD to accelerate the platform development, optimize the performance and increase enterprise adoption for Solaris and the Sun Java system on the AMD Opteron processor; that Sun plans to make 64-bit Solaris available on the AMD Opteron processor in the first half of 2004; that Sun will collaborate with AMD on a portfolio of future AMD Opteron processor-based systems and scalability beyond 4-way; that the parties will collaborate on coherent HyperTransport technology implementations; Sun's plans to jointly form with AMD the iForce Partner Program for ISVs and developers with engineering support from both companies, a seed unit program for ISVs and a Sun/AMD Developer Resource Kit; and Sun's intent to collaborate with AMD on worldwide marketing activities, including a customer seed unit program, joint sales activities and joint product, ISV, developer and channel marketing programs. Factors that might cause actual results to differ include risks associated with developing and marketing new products, lack of success in technological advancements, lack of acceptance of new products, adverse business conditions, failure to retain key employees, cancellation or delay of projects and in particular the cancellation or delay of the alliance with AMD, increased competition and continued adverse general economic conditions in the U.S. and internationally. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Sun's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Sun's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2003.

Læs pressemeddelelser fra Sun: http://www.sun.com/aboutsun/media/

AMDs pressemeddelelse: http://www.amd.com/us-en/Corporate/VirtualPressRoom/0,,51_104_543~78608,00.html