Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Menu
Search
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • PC Hardware

    Sun Looks to One-Up Itanium 2 Servers

    By
    eWEEK EDITORS
    -
    June 18, 2002
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Sun Microsystems Inc. today introduced a new entry-level four-way server, the Sun Fire V480, and revved up the power on its popular eight-way V880 system, two servers designed to manage networks.

      The V480, capable of running up to four 900MHz 64-bit UltraSparc III processors, is being positioned against soon-to-be-released servers based on Intel Corp.s new Itanium 2 processors. Sun contends the V480 will cost about $1,000 less than comparable Itanium 2-based systems from IBM and Dell Computer Corp., which wont be released until July.

      Prices for the V480, code-named Cherrystone, start at about $23,000 for a two-processor configuration. A more fully equipped system featuring four processors, 16GB of RAM and two 36GB hard drives will cost about $47,000.

      While prices for the 1GHz Itanium 2, scheduled for release this summer, have yet to be released, Intel said at a news briefing Friday that it expected a four-way Itanium 2 system featuring 32GB of RAM would cost about $41,000.

      In order to attract customer interest in Itanium 2, Intel is touting favorable performance estimates and system prices compared with UltraSparc III-based servers by Sun, the worlds largest seller of 64-bit systems.

      Sun has countered those claims by releasing its own data supporting its contention that its servers offer better price/performance than comparable Intel-based servers.

      While Itanium, first released last year, has yet to make inroads in the high-end computing market, Intel is confidant the second-generation of the chip, which is twice as fast as its predecessor, will prove to be a breakthrough product. More than 40 computer makers will offer Itanium 2 systems when the chip debuts in the coming weeks, including Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM and Dell.

      To fend off Intel, Sun is planning to release less costly, but more powerful, servers. The pricing of the Sun Fire V480 reflects that strategy, with its entry-level price running about $5,000 less than a four-way V420R server featuring a slower processor.

      In a related move, Sun announced yesterday it has beefed up its eight-way V880 server by equipping it with the latest 900MHz UltraSparc III, enhancing its performance over previous versions that came equipped with 750MHz UltrasSparc III chips.

      The V880, which debuted in October, has become one of Suns fastest selling servers ever and was the most popular selling eight-way server during the first quarter of this year, according to market researcher International Data Corp.

      Prices for the V880 start at about $30,000 for a two-processor configurations and climb to more than $100,000 for a fully equipped eight-way system.

      Sun Fire servers are designed to utilize the computer makers Solaris operating system and compatible applications. Itanium 2-based systems, however, are capable of running different operating systems, including a 64-bit version of Windows by Microsoft Corp., HPs proprietary HP-UX and several variants of Linux.

      While Intel contends Itanium 2 will offer customers greater flexibility in choice of software, only a limited number of applications are yet available for the chip. By contrast, Sun customers can choose from among thousands of Solaris-based applications currently available.

      Related stories:

      • HP to Back Itanium 2 With HP-UX
      • Intel Findings Show Itanium 2 Beats Sun Server in Performance
      • Itanium to Drive HP Servers
      • Sun Lights Server Fire
      eWEEK EDITORS
      eWeek editors publish top thought leaders and leading experts in emerging technology across a wide variety of Enterprise B2B sectors. Our focus is providing actionable information for today’s technology decision makers.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Why Data Security Will Face Even Harsher...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 1, 2020 0
      Who would know more about details of the hacking process than an actual former career hacker? And who wants to understand all they can...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      How Veritas Is Shining a Light Into...

      eWEEK EDITORS - September 25, 2020 0
      Protecting data has always been one of the most important tasks in all of IT, yet as more companies become data companies at the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      How NVIDIA A100 Station Brings Data Center...

      Zeus Kerravala - November 18, 2020 0
      There’s little debate that graphics processor unit manufacturer NVIDIA is the de facto standard when it comes to providing silicon to power machine learning...
      Read more
      Apple

      Why iPhone 12 Pro Makes Sense for...

      Wayne Rash - November 26, 2020 0
      If you’ve been watching the Apple commercials for the past three weeks, you already know what the company thinks will happen if you buy...
      Read more

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×