Sun Reduces Sparc Motherboard Tags

Electronic News, Dec 7, 1998

Also introduces 360MHz version UltraSparc Iii

san jose -- Sun Microsystems has reduced the prices of its SparcEngine Ultra AXi line of motherboards by up to 22 percent, a move that can be viewed as a demonstration of the company's increasing commitment to the embedded computing sector.

At the same time, Sun also added what will be the fastest version of its UltraSPARC IIi microprocessor -- the 360MHz -- to the Ultra AXi family of motherboards. Sun now provides its flagship SPARC technology at prices comparable to other OEMs and integrators building systems for high-performance compute intensive applications like ISP services and medical imaging.

The 360MHz version of the Ultra AXi motherboard is available for $2,250 in volume quantities.

"For OEMs and system integrators, downtime is not acceptable. The combination of Sparc and Solaris have been delivering mission critical reliability for Sun's systems customers for years," said Marge Breya, VP of marketing for Sun's Microelectronics division. "Our customers can take that same technology and incorporate it into their designs. With the faster processor and lower cost, it should make it even more attractive," Breya added.

The Ultra AXi lends itself to both network and industrial applications. For example, Secant Network Technologies, a provider of VPN (virtual private network) products for asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks, is using the Ultra AXi in cryptographic systems to provide secure multimedia transmissions.

In another industry sector, Rave Computer Association, a system integrator, is utilizing the Ultra AXi in the development of a mirror-imaging system for caching services for Internet service providers such as Mirror Image Internet, Inc.

"At Rave, we have been designing Sparc solutions for years," said Bev LeBoeuf, director of marketing for Rave Computer. "Sun's ability to deliver its technology at a lower price point will enable us to reach customers that have previously thought the power of Sparc to be out of their reach."

The Ultra AXi motherboard is a PCI-based platform targeted to OEMs with high-performance compute requirements, such as telecommunications servers, cable modem access systems, medical imaging and a broad range of 19-inch rack mounted Internet server applications. This platform supports the industry standard-based ATX form factor, and enables higher price/performance points compared to previous Sun offerings.