Sun Solaris Significantly Boosts Web Server Performance; Preview Release of Internet Software Includes Increased Web Performance, Java Virtual Machine, WebNFS and DHCP

Business Wire, Oct 29, 1996

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 1996--In tandem with the introduction of the JavaStation network computer, Sun Microsystems Inc. today announced a preview release of Internet software for the Solaris operating environment.

This software release significantly impacts the bottom line of corporations extending their business model to the Internet and network computing.

Known as the Solaris Internet Server Supplement (SISS), this software supplement includes web server performance enhancements, Java Virtual Machine (JVM), WebNFS -- the industry's web-based file standard -- and a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. The SISS provides the ability to run Java applets, reduce client administration costs and give users the ability to quickly access and share files on corporate databases, intranets and the Internet.

"Web performance enhancements in the Solaris Internet Server Supplement will benefit all Solaris-based Web servers," said Steve MacKay, vice president and general manager of the Solaris Products Group, Sun Microsystems. "Sun's recent work with Netscape's Enterprise Server engineering team is indicative of the overall performance gains that web server vendors can pursue through their own optimization efforts."

Web performance gains realized at Netscape's web site, using Netscape's Enterprise Web Server on a Solaris 2.5.1 Netra-i 2/2200 with the SISS enhancements, increased the capacity for hits per day from 5 million to 18 million and almost doubled SPECweb '96 results from 320 to 626.

With the SISS, any customer with a server running Solaris 2.5.1 can immediately benefit from the new Solaris Web performance enhancements, support for the IP administration of Java clients and the ability to run Java applets.

"Solaris is the leading and fastest operating environment for deploying web servers," said Rich Green, vice president, Solaris server products, Sun Microsystems. "With the Solaris Internet Server Supplement, Solaris is the best server platform for the new network computing paradigm of zero-administration clients, which include JavaStations."

The Solaris Internet Server Supplement includes: -0- -- Web server performance enhancements: improves the speed of response to user requests and the number of users able to connect to a single server -- WebNFS: a robust and scalable file system for the Web that enables users to quickly access and share files on corporate databases, intranets and the Internet -- Java Virtual Machine: implements runtime Java code and allows Java applets and applications to run on any platform including multiprocessor servers -- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): a TCP/IP protocol that assigns IP addresses from a pool to stations in the network resulting in easier client administration and eliminating the need to configure IP addresses manually -0-

The Solaris Internet Server Supplement previews new Internet technologies in "Internet time" that are targeted for the next formal release of Solaris. It is for evaluation by customers currently running Solaris 2.5.1 on SPARC and Intel platforms.

All features are forward-compatible and will be supported in future versions of Solaris.

Pricing and Availability

A Solaris Internet Server Supplement evaluation requires version 2.5.1 of Solaris. For customers who have already upgraded to Solaris 2.5.1, the Solaris Internet Server Supplement will be available at no charge beginning the week of Nov. 4, 1996. Contact Sun's sales force and authorized resellers for ordering details. Customers who are running an earlier version of Solaris or another operating environment can upgrade to Solaris 2.5.1 to take advantage of these new Internet technologies.

Special upgrade promotional pricing for Solaris 2.5.1 is in effect through Dec. 31, 1996. For sales information call 800/SUNSOFT (800/786-7638) prompt 1 or on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com/solaris/ in the "What's Hot" section.

Sun Microsystems Inc.

With annual revenues of more than $7 billion, Sun Microsystems Inc. provides products and services that enable customers to build and maintain open network computing environments. Widely recognized as a proponent of open standards, the company is involved in the design, manufacture and sale of products, technologies and services for commercial and technical computing.

Sun Microsystems was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. -0-

Note to Editors: Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, SunSoft, Java, Solaris, JavaStation, Solaris, Netra and WebNFS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems Inc. in the United States and other countries. All SPARC trademarks are used under license and are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems Inc.

Netscape is a trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation.

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