Sun Brings Proven
Reliability and
Scalability to
Windows NT World
NEW YORK - September 9, 1998 - Sun Microsystems, Inc.
today unveiled technology that will enable it to integrate
seamlessly into Microsoft Windows NT networks - improving
reliability and scalability for customers deploying Windows
NT network services.
Codenamed "Project Cascade" and employing technology
from AT&T, this new software enables SolarisTM servers -
both the Intel and SPARC platforms - to easily plug into
Windows NT environments - providing native Windows NT
network services such as naming, authentication, file, and
print sharing. Yet because these services run on top of the
powerful and more reliable Solaris operating environment,
customers gain high levels of robustness and reliability, while
still maintaining complete compatibility. When coupled with
the unmatched scalability of the SunTM EnterpriseTM server
family, customers now have a more scalable and reliable
alternative to Windows NT systems.
Most Windows NT servers are used to deliver network
services, such as adding users to the network, validating
user credentials, and providing resources such as files and
printers. According to IDC, 54 percent of Windows NT server
licenses sold in 1997 supported file and print services.
The lack of scalability and sheer number of servers have
caused undue complexity, and as a result, this architecture
has become costly to support and manage. With its new
ability to compete in this segment, Sun believes this opens
up a new revenue opportunity for its Sun Enterprise servers.
"Sun's Project Cascade addresses a significant problem
customers are having within their Windows NT
infrastructures. The lack of scalability inherent in Windows
NT Server software has forced an unnecessary proliferation
of Microsoft Windows NT server hardware, dedicated to
specific functions such as e-mail and administration, in
customers' environments. Aberdeen research shows that the
resulting complicated and server-heavy networks are
causing an extraordinary administrative challenge and
significant unnecessary costs for IT," said Wayne
Kernochan, senior vice president at the Aberdeen Group.
A Reliable, Scalable Platform for Consolidation
Due to the scalability of the Solaris operating environment
and the Sun Enterprise server family, customers are able to
consolidate multiple services - including naming,
authentication, and resources - onto a single, scalable, and
reliable platform. According to recently released data from
IDC, Sun Enterprise servers are the top selling UNIX«
servers in the industry, due to their proven scalability and
uptime - and affordable price. "Sun knows how to build solid
network backbones - now we can leverage our network
computing know-how to Windows NT environments," said
John Shoemaker, vice president and general manager of
Sun's enterprise desktops and servers.
Transparent Integration into Microsoft
Environments
Project Cascade technology will allow SunTM servers to fit
transparently into Windows NT networks, allowing these
servers to participate in the network as a Primary Domain
Controller, Backup Domain Controller, or resource server -
interoperating fully with Windows NT servers. The
technology supports all domain functions including multiple
domains, trust relationships, and single sign on.
Easy to Deploy and Manage
Project Cascade software is installed and administered
easily using the same PC tools that are used for
administering Windows NT domain servers. It includes tools
for setting up users and domains, as well as for monitoring
the server. Since the software runs on the server, no
software is needed on the client. Clients access the Sun
server in the same way they would access a Windows NT
server. So there is no retraining necessary for users or
system administrators. In addition, administrators can now
take advantage of the superior remote management
capabilities in Sun systems.
Compatibility
The Project Cascade software is fully compatible with the
network services in Microsoft Windows NT Service Pack 3.
Features include the Windows NT Directory Service (NTDS),
security and authentication, and the Windows NT File
System (NTFS). It supports all major PC clients including
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, plus Windows
3.11. The product incorporates AT&T's Advanced Server for
UNIX Systems, and is supported on Solaris 2.5.1 and Solaris
2.6 SPARC and Intel platforms.
The Solaris Operating Environment
Designed for IT professionals, line-of-business managers,
Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and power users, Sun's
Solaris operating environment can be accessed and used by
any type of device connected to the network, including
high-performance workstations, Microsoft Windows
computers and Windows NT servers. Unlike other operating
environments, Solaris software is tuned for network
computing and exploits the full capability of both SPARC and
Intel-based computers. It is extremely fast, highly reliable,
scalable, secure, very easy to install and use, optimized for
the JavaTM technology platform and supports more than
12,000 applications.
Sun Enterprise Servers
The Sun Enterprise server family is the industry's broadest
and most scalable line of compatible servers designed for
workgroup, departmental and datacenter computing
environments. The family of ten systems ranges from one to
64 processors and includes the mainframe-class Sun
Enterprise 10000 server, as well as the industry-leading
mid-range systems and workgroup servers. The systems
outpace competitive products in reliability features, I/O
performance and application performance.
Pricing and Availability
Early access software will be available for qualified
customers starting November, 1998. Contact Sun at
http://sun.com for more information on the Early Access
program. Pricing and availability will be announced in
Q1CY99.
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 leading provider of
high-quality hardware, software and services for establishing
enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the
Internet. With more than $9.5 billion in annual revenues, Sun
can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World
Wide Web at http://sun.com.
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