Sun's JavaStation goes to work at JavaOne; more than 80 JavaStation NCs prove simpler is sweeter at trade show

Business Wire, April 2, 1997

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 1997--Showing how easy it can be to orchestrate and boot up a large number of network computers with a myriad of applications, Sun Microsystems, Inc. is deploying more than 80 of its new JavaStation(TM) NCs on the show floor at JavaOne(SM), its annual Java(SM) Developers Conference(SM) at Moscone Convention Center.

The entire installation was accomplished in less than a day.

Dozens of independent software vendors, or ISVs, are using the JavaStation NCs during the three-day event to demonstrate mission- critical business applications written in 100% Pure Java(TM). Sun supplied 30 JavaStations to the developers, all of which have pilot projects of their own dedicated to introducing Java(TM) Computing or Java-enabled NC computing in the enterprise.

Sun is also deploying 30 JavaStation NCs to the JavaOne "Hacker's Lab," a section of the show where show attendees can check E-mail, surf the Web, show off their own Java-powered applets or just hack around on the 80 various systems from Sun, Apple, IBM and other hardware vendors that have been jammed with new Java technology.

Another 20 JavaStation computers are being used in executive speeches, breakout sessions and other demonstrations around Moscone center. "At JavaOne, you will see the kinds of mission-critical applications written in Java that underscore the real opportunity of Java Computing for the corporate enterprise," said Steve Tirado, director of Java Desktop Systems for Sun Microsystems Computer Company. "We think the JavaStation NC is the best available implementation of the Java-enabled thin client. This show will give people an opportunity to see what NCs can do today and to glimpse the types of breakaway opportunities they'll create in the future."

Due to scheduling demands, engineers had less than a day to install the 80 JavaStation NCs around Moscone. The NCs were linked by a 10baseT Ethernet connection, and were supported by Ultra(TM) Enterprise servers or SPARCstation(TM) workstations. The servers were pre-loaded with JavaOS(TM), Solaris(TM) 2.5.1 operating environment as well as the ISV applications. Because the JavaStation has no floppy, hard-disk or CD-ROM drive, all of these Java applications will be downloaded from the server to the NC where they will be locally processed. The JavaStation NCs, themselves, contain 32 MB of RAM and come with a 17-inch monitor.

Targeted at the market for mission-critical applications, such as retail customer service, call centers and financial service operations, the JavaStation device offers important benefits for anyone on a computer network, including lower total cost of ownership, ease of administration, faster applications development and deployment and improved security. The entry level package with 8 MB of main memory costs less than $750.

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 a leading provider of hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $7 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the WorldWide Web at http://www.sun.com . -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, JavaStation, JavaOne, Java Developer Conference, 100% Pure Java, Java, Ultra Enterprise, JavaOS, Solaris and "The Network is the Computer" 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.

Press announcements and other information about Sun Microsystems are available on the Internet via the World Wide Web using a tool such as Netscape or NCSA Mosaic. Type http://www.sun.com at the URL prompt.

CONTACT: Sun Microsystems Computer Company

Suna Kneisely, 415/786-3224

suna.kneisely@Corp.sun.co

or

Burson Marsteller for Sun

David Berkowitz, 415/463-4011

david_berkowitz@bm.com