Digital and Sequent Launch Initiative For Port of Digital UNIX to Intel IA-64 For UNIX-Based Enterprise Computing
PR Newswire - January 06, 1998 08:39
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Initiative Will Deliver to Customers, ISVs and OEMs the Most Interoperable
UNIX on Intel IA-64 for Mixed UNIX-Microsoft Environments
Single Implementation of This Operating System to Span
Intel IA-64 and Alpha Architectures
MAYNARD, Mass. and BEAVERTON, Ore., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital
Equipment Corporation (NYSE: DEC) and Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SQNT) today announced they will collaborate on a 64-bit UNIX
initiative to establish the leading UNIX on the IA-64 enterprise computing
architecture, and the most interoperable UNIX with Windows NT. The 64-bit
UNIX initiative is based on Digital UNIX, will add key Sequent technologies,
and be augmented with joint development by the two companies. Key to the
initiative will be aggressive recruitment of additional partners and
licensees.
As part of the initiative, Digital UNIX will be renamed to underscore the
effort to create the industry's leading UNIX on Intel, and reflect Digital's
commitment to partnering with other hardware vendors.
Casey Powell, chairman and CEO of Sequent Computer Systems, Inc. said,
"This 64-bit UNIX initiative will deliver the only complete 64-bit UNIX on
Intel IA-64. The initiative is uniquely positioned to achieve broad
acceptance among enterprise-focused customers, ISVs and OEMs who require a
risk-free migration path, partnership, and product integration for IA-64."
The offering will leverage the more than 4,500 existing 64-bit Digital
UNIX applications, provide binary compatibility with existing 32-bit
applications, a production-ready environment for high-end applications,
integral UNIX-Microsoft integration, and an open requirements process for OEM
partners. In addition, a source migration path will be available for current
32-bit UNIX vendors who participate in this initiative.
The 64-bit UNIX initiative will be based on Digital UNIX, the industry's
leading 64-bit operating system, and will continue to be owned by Digital. The
joint development effort will integrate key technology from Sequent's
DYNIX/ptx IA-32 UNIX operating system, including Non-Uniform Memory Access
(NUMA) technology, and draw on the engineering expertise of both companies.
Sequent has delivered high-end systems based on the Intel architecture since
1984.
Robert B. Palmer, Digital chairman, president and chief executive officer,
said, "We are pleased to welcome Sequent as our first partner in creating the
leading UNIX for Intel's 64-bit architecture. Together with Sequent and future
partners, we intend to lead the market for 64-bit UNIX by delivering the best
enterprise UNIX on Intel, the best path to Merced for customers and ISVs, and
proven UNIX-Microsoft interoperability."
Complete Compatibility
This 64-bit UNIX initiative will provide:
-- A full range of compatibility for source and binary code.
-- A single implementation across Intel IA-64 and Alpha to ensure
functional equivalence and 100 percent source compatibility across the two
architectures.
-- 100 percent binary compatibility for ISV and customer applications. As
a result, a binary application developed on any IA-64 system will run on all
vendors' IA-64 systems running this enhanced operating system.
-- Support for running 32-bit binary applications unmodified.
In addition, Digital and Sequent will jointly develop a source-compatible
environment, initially on top of Sequent ptx, to provide Sequent and other OEM
customers with forward compatibility for source code written on their 32-bit
systems.
This initiative will offer the only UNIX with little endian Intel byte-
order compatibility across both Intel and RISC (Alpha) implementations. This
makes smooth forward migration of applications possible with a simple re-
compile.
John Miner, vice president and general manager of Intel Corporation's
Enterprise Server Group said, "With Merced, the Intel architecture is becoming
a unifying platform for enterprise computing environments. In this industry-
wide endeavor, Digital and Sequent each bring a strong history of technology
and partnering capabilities for high-end UNIX solutions with strong Windows NT
integration."
Sequent Chairman Powell added, "We chose to partner with Digital for this
64-bit UNIX initiative because it gives our customers a production-quality
operating system with thousands of 64-bit applications at the launch of
Merced, 32-bit compatibility looking back, and Windows NT integration looking
forward. That's what we needed -- what any enterprise OEM needs -- and only
Digital offered it. I'll give you an example. With Solaris, Sun offered
Sequent a low-end Intel environment which has a long way to go before it
approaches where Solaris-on-SPARC is today. And, at Sun, the commitment
clearly isn't there for NT integration."
Gary Bloom, Oracle Corporation's senior vice president for Alliances and
Products, said, "This 64-bit UNIX initiative is an important event for the
enterprise UNIX marketplace, where consolidation is creating a few very strong
players. Oracle supports this effort based on the strength of Digital and
Sequent in the enterprise. Oracle's Network Computing Architecture will fully
exploit the interoperability of this enhanced operating system to provide an
ideal platform for applications, enabling lower cost of ownership and high
performance. We expect that other ISVs and OEM partners will find this 64-bit
UNIX initiative extremely appealing. This offers proven technology, a smooth
migration path, and a robust, scalable environment for Merced."
Commitment To UNIX Leadership On Alpha And Intel
Digital Chairman Palmer added, "This announcement reinforces Digital's
long-term strategic commitment to UNIX on both Alpha and Intel. We already
have more than five years of experience in delivering high-performance, 64-bit
UNIX solutions on Alpha. In other words, customers and ISVs have an immediate
path to 64-bit enterprise computing. With the availability of 64-bit UNIX
on both Alpha and Intel, they will have access to the broadest range of high-
performance solutions in the industry."
Leader In UNIX/Microsoft Integration
This initiative will offer leading integration for UNIX and Windows NT, a
world-class integrated development environment, middleware and infrastructure
products. Digital, as a leader in Windows NT systems integration and
interoperability, offers customers a head start in UNIX/Windows NT bridging
technologies. These technologies will be available to OEMs who adopt this
initiative.
UNIX and Windows NT integration and interoperability will be a focus of
future Digital/Sequent joint development, leveraging Sequent's expertise in
achieving high-performance, scalability, and availability on Intel-based
systems.
About Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
Sequent Computer Systems is a global leader in enterprise-wide, open IT
systems, delivering scalable, flexible, data center solutions. Sequent's
solutions are based on breakthrough NUMA-Q architecture, which supports UNIX,
Windows NT, or mixed environments; a comprehensive portfolio of proven
programs and services; and an established set of partnerships with the
industry's best-in-class. Sequent minimizes customers' risk, enabling
integration of computing infrastructure and implementation of complex,
business-critical applications. More than 8,500 installations house Sequent
systems, including many of the world's largest and most sophisticated OLTP,
DSS, business communications, and RDBMS applications.
About Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation, recognized for product and service
excellence, is a leading supplier of high-performance, Web-based computing
solutions which help enterprises compete in the global marketplace. Digital
gives its customers a winning Internet advantage through a comprehensive
portfolio of Internet solutions based on award-winning systems, advanced
networking infrastructure, innovative software, and industry applications -
including those from business partners. The expertise and experience of
Digital employees help customers plan, design, implement, manage and
support Internet solutions in countries throughout the world. For the latest
company information, visit Digital on the World Wide Web at
digital.com and/or newsdesk.com. |
