Ending nearly a year of debate with its users, Sun Microsystems has
made available an early access version of its Solaris 9 operating
system that runs on Intel-compatible processors.
In January, Sun announced plans to halt work on the x86 (Intel
instruction set) version of Solaris 9, focusing instead on
developing the operating system only for its own UltraSPARC
processors.
The move triggered a rash of complaints from Sun's user base, which
included several advertisements in major newspapers calling for Sun
to explain the move in a public forum.
Sun declined those challenges but reversed its stance on the x86
version of Solaris in October by announcing that it would bring the
OS back with full support.
"We've had some issues in the past about our commitment to this
product," said John Loiacono, vice-president of operating platforms
at Sun. "Well, now we are jumping in with two feet. You are going
to see over the next two to three months additional enhancements to
Solaris as a whole, which will have Solaris x86 as a key
component."
Sun posted the download at
www.sun.com/software/solaris/,
charging users $20 for the software. The company will follow up the
early access version with a completed release of Solaris 9 x86 in
December. It will probably charge $99 (£63) for a single-processor
licence, according to Loiacono.
Users can run Solaris x86 on a wide range of Intel-based hardware,
from servers to laptops. In addition, Sun sells its low-end Sun
LX50 server with either Solaris x86 or Sun Linux.
The company may also begin to offer more of its systems with
Solaris x86 as an option. Loiacono hinted that the OS might next
appear on Sun's blade servers, which have yet to be released. Sun
will also begin moving on to the x86 platform more of its Sun Open
Net Environment (ONE) software, which includes an application
server and directory server.
"You will see us make releases for Solaris x86 that [match] the
schedule of releases for Solaris on UltraSPARC," Loiacono said. "We
are also working to do performance testing and tuning, not just
putting bits out there."
A number of companies use Solaris x86 in their production
environments. The OS is also popular in academic settings as an
alternative to Linux or Microsoft's Windows.
Analysts said the availability of Solaris on Intel hardware
provided users with a lower-cost way to use the OS than buying
UltraSPARC-based hardware.