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DAILY NEWS AND INFORMATION
FOR THE GLOBAL GRID COMMUNITY /
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Breaking News -
Platforms:
Sun Microsystems Rolls Out New
Servers, Software
Sun Microsystems Inc rolled out new, faster computer servers starting at
about
$2,800 and updated software as the network computer makers seeks to tap into
modestly improving spending on information technology.
Included among the servers, which help to make up computer networks, is one
that uses Advanced Micro Devices Inc's 64-bit Opteron processor. The V20z
server runs both 32-bit and 64-bit software applications on Sun's Solaris
version of the Unix operating system and the freely available Linux operating
system. Prices for the V20z start at $2,795.
Sun also announced new servers running on the next version of its
microprocessor, the UltraSparc IV. Sun has long been a presence in 64-bit
computing, but has only fairly recently entered the 32-bit computing market,
where Intel Corp's processors dominate, in a bid to reignite revenue
growth.
The processors are the first for Sun that use multithreading, a technology
that boosts performance, and is analogous to adding more lanes to a bridge.
While the cars may travel at the same speed, more cars can cross the bridge in
a given period of time.
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Grid computing is here!
"It puts us at the head of the pack in terms of price performance," said
Clark
Masters, who runs Sun's enterprise systems products group.
Sun said its Opteron server, available in April, is 45 percent faster than
comparable 32-bit systems.
Since the dot-com and telecommunications bubbles three years ago, Sun has
been
harder hit than rival IBM Corp, Dell Inc and Hewlett-Packard Co.
The telecommunications and financial services industry are key sectors for
Sun, which declined more than other areas of information technology during the
downturn.
Sun said that the new servers and software are aimed at cutting the cost
and
complexity of information technology, a refrain also used by rivals IBM and
HP.
The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company has reported a string of quarterly
losses, but in its most recent quarter its loss narrowed as revenue came in at
the high end of cautious Wall Street forecasts, reflecting stronger demand for
computer services.
While Sun has already gone through several rounds of layoffs, analysts have
pressed Sun to do more, including additional layoffs and cutting research and
development spending. Chief Executive Scott McNealy has resisted such calls
and emphasized the importance of investing to build systems that are
competitive.
Sun spends about $2 billion a year on research and development.
"We're showing that our investment in R and D saves customers money," said
Larry Singer, senior vice president of global market strategies for Sun. "If
we continue marching along this path we think the strategy is going to pay
off."
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