Intel and Sun form strategic alliance

Deal will see Sun start to build servers based on Intel's Xeon processor during the next six months

Sun and Intel have announced a strategic alliance that will see Intel's chips powering a range of Sun's servers.

Under the terms of the partnership, Sun will build servers based on Intel's Xeon processor, with the first servers from the partnership commencing development during the first half of 2007.

Intel will also endorse Sun's Solaris, Java and NetBeans products and will actively support the OpenSolaris and open Java communities from which they continue to evolve.

Jonathan Schwartz, president and chief executive of Sun Microsystems, said: "We're excited about Intel's long term Xeon road map and the performance we're seeing with Solaris and Sun Java on the Xeon platforms, while Intel's endorsement for and agreement to OEM Solaris opens markets for both of us across the world. This is truly a landmark relationship for the industry."

Paul Otellini, president and chief executive of Intel, added: "We’re thrilled to be working with Sun to make Solaris on Intel Xeon processors a great solution for our enterprise customers worldwide. Bringing together the best technologies from both Sun and Intel will result in innovative products for years to come.”

Intel and Sun also believe that the combination of Sun's open source Solaris and Java development environments and the Intel architecture provide a solid platform for ISVs to develop and deliver applications and web services to enterprise customers.