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Sun, Intel team up
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December 16, 1997: 3:37 p.m. ET
Broad technology alliance to allow Solaris to run on Merced systems
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Intel Corp. and Sun Microsystems Inc. Tuesday announced a broad technology alliance that will allow Sun software to run on Intel's powerful Merced microprocessor chip expected to ship in 1999.
The patent cross-licensing agreement represents an olive-tree branch of sorts for the two high-profile technology firms that have become fierce rivals.
By joining forces with Intel, Sun hopes to ensure Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT operating system doesn't further erode its market share in the corporate network market.
Based on the terms of the agreement, Sun will adapt its version of the Unix operating system, called Solaris, to run on Intel's chip.
In a conference call Tuesday, Janpieter Scheerder, president of Sunsoft -- Sun's software unit -- said the company will deliver a version of Solaris optimized for the 64-bit Merced processor and will work with application makers to ensure compatibility.
"We believe this further validates Solaris as a leader in network software. This provides a powerful alternative to Windows NT. Customers will have real choice in picking their operating system. As the world moves to network computing, the complete line of Sun products will give customers a great alternative," he said.
John Miner, vice president and general manager of Intel's enterprise server group, said the deal is an acknowledgment that Solaris is a popular operating system that many people would like to see run on Intel platforms.
"This means customers can select their favorite [operating system] and get the benefits of Intel servers. It expands options available to [equipment manufacturers] and [information technology] managers. We're very pleased and very excited with Sun's commitment to bring this to the Intel architecture," Miner said.
Scheerder said Windows NT doesn't offer customers the same flexibility as Solaris.
"NT [is largely used for] file and print services, not enterprise computing. Close to 50 percent of [machines connected to] the Internet run on Solaris. Sun, combined with Java and other network management systems, gives business a network platform to deploy the enterprise on," he said.
For Intel, the agreement represents an unexpected endorsement. The Merced chip -- targeted primarily at high-end workstations and servers -- was jointly designed by Intel and Sun's archrival, Hewlett-Packard Co.
Sun will benefit in its competition with Microsoft Corp., which is pitting a future version of the Windows NT operating system against Solaris. In addition, Sun will support Merced while still supporting its own microprocessor, Ultrasparc.
--by staff writer Cyrus Afzali
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