Compaq unveils Windows 2000 server strategy

Compaq has unveiled its web server strategy, incorporating Windows 2000, which it claims will simplify internet computing.

Compaq has unveiled its web server strategy, incorporating Windows 2000, which it claims will simplify internet computing.

Michael Capellas, president and chief executive of Compaq, said at the Windows 2000 conference in San Francisco that the aim of the vendor's strategy is to "drive the next-generation ecommerce market and provide a new level of infrastructure".

"Proliant eGeneration PC servers will provide enterprise class performance with flexibility and redefine price points," he said.

The three-phase strategy began last year when Compaq established an enterprise division and launched its eight-way Proliant servers with Servernet II interconnects and nNode cluster capabilities.

The second phase will begin this year, with the introduction of more powerful eight-way Proliants which will be enhanced with more device support.

These servers will eventually be capable of supporting Microsoft's Windows 2000 Data Centre Edition, which is not due to ship for at least another six months.

Compaq also plans to OEM Unisys's 32-way clustered server and will make 32-bit machines available by the middle of the year. A 64-bit version will follow by the end of 2000.

"Whenever technology is developed that we can add to our portfolio, we'll add it very quickly," said Capellas.

The final phase, which will begin in 2001, will see Compaq adding switched fabric interconnect buses across its product line to boost performance.

The company will introduce new 32-bit and higher machines, which will be positioned as database servers.

Compaq will also launch eight-way Tandem servers running Windows 2000 and will launch a machine based on 84 processors for application service providers.