Intel Investors - Sun may be warming up to Intel again !
Perhaps they see the Intel-Linux growth as a REAL THREAT that they need to counteract.
Paul
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Sun Microsystems Announces Solaris[SM] Device-Driver Verification Program For The IA Platform
Free-of-Charge Service Designed to Increase Hardware Device Options for End Users of Intel-based PCs and Servers
PALO ALTO, Calif., June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: SUNW) announced that beginning today it will provide the free-of-charge Solaris[SM] Device-Driver Verification Program for the IA platform, created for drivers and devices for Intel-based PCs and servers that run the Solaris[TM] Operating Environment. Sun expects this program to considerably increase the number and quality of drivers and devices for Solaris Operating Environment (Intel Platform Edition) customers.
With this service, Sun is continuing to grow and foster the Solaris Operating Environment (Intel Platform Edition) market, which continues to see increasingly strong demand. Total installations reported by users receiving the first month's media kits for Free Solaris were more than 200,000. Most of these installations were for the Solaris Operating Environment (Intel Platform Edition) with almost 131,000 installations completed or planned short-term, indicating the strong demand and growth of this market.
The Solaris Driver Verification Service is designed to simplify the process for IHVs to test that their devices will run properly on Intel-based systems by offering test suites and verification for network and storage devices used with Intel machines. From Sun's website, an Independent Hardware Vendor (IHV) can download software to self-test their drivers and devices, and then get their self-verification results validated by Sun without going to an independent testing lab and paying subsequent lab fees.
"This program is designed to attract vendors of the leading-edge devices that our customers have been asking for," said Andy Ingram, Vice President of Sun Microsystems. "By making it simple for IHVs to bring their peripherals to Solaris Operating Environment customers using Intel systems, and insure the requisite support of those devices, we have reaffirmed our commitment with the Solaris Operating Environment to the Intel market. This market is driven by a growing number of customers who see the Solaris Operating Environment and Intel as an attractive combination."
IHVs, with leading market share for their network and storage devices, have already verified one or more products using the technologies that will be utilized by the Solaris Device-Driver Verification Program. All of these IHVs are participating in the beta of the Solaris Device-Driver Verification Program, which is now open to all IHVs.
Those companies who have already verified their products for Intel systems, as mentioned above, include:
-- Adaptec
-- Agilent
-- AMI
-- Compaq
-- IBM
-- Intel
-- LSI
-- Madge.connect
-- Mylex/IBM
-- Qlogic
-- SysKonnect
"Sun's Verification Services will enhance our customers' peace of mind," said Paul Miller, Director, Corporate & SMB Marketing at Compaq." This program will reduce installation complexity for those customers deploying the Solaris Operating Environment on Compaq's industry leading ProLiant servers.
Sun will provide a listing on Sun's website of all verified third-party hardware contained in the Hardware Compatibility List. A customer will be able to visit the Sun website to determine driver availability, and, given availability, will be able to go to the Solaris Driver Download page and download the driver. While downloading drivers, customers have the opportunity to read about an IHV's other products -- thereby offering the potential for that IHV to win new customers.
About Solaris Driver Verification
More information about participating in the Solaris Driver Verification can be found on the World Wide Web at soldc.sun.com.
Pricing and Availability
The Solaris Driver Verification is entirely free-of-charge and is available immediately.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer[TM]" -- 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 dot-com their businesses. With $14.2 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at sun.com.
Press announcements and other information about Sun Microsystems are available on the Internet via the World Wide Web using a tool such as Netscape Navigator(TM) or Sun's HotJava(TM) browser. Type sun.com at the URL prompt.
Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Solaris, HotJava, and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Netscape Navigator is a trademark or registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation in the United States and other countries.
SOURCE Sun Microsystems, Inc.
/CONTACT: Russell Castronovo of Sun Microsystems, 408-863-3306,
russ.castronovo@eng.sun.com; or Kimberly Daniel of Burson-Marsteller,
415-591-4102, kim_daniel@sfo.bm.com, for Sun Microsystems/
(SUNW) |
