Sun Expands HP Away ProgramSun Expands HP Away Program

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW - News) today announced that it is expanding the successful HP Away migration program to include a migration path to Sun's AMD Opteron processor-based workstations and servers. Sun is combining its 64-bit enterprise computing experience with the AMD Opteron processor, and providing additional value with the Solaris (TM) operating system, the Sun Java (TM) Enterprise Software, N1(TM), Linux and the Java Desktop System, to create systems with unmatched security, scalability and availability from the desktop to the enterprise. At the heart of the HP Away migration program is the Solaris operating system, the clear alternative for HP customers frustrated with HP's lack of commitment to its UNIX operating system.

"HP is forcing customers to migrate from one platform to another, but customers are balking because HP has limited credibility with HP-UX," said Larry Singer, Sun's senior vice president, strategic insights officer. "By migrating more than 150 HP customers to Sun systems running SPARC we've proven there is a demand to find a better alternative. Now for customers that want to run UNIX on x86 we're offering the advantage of cheaper, better performing, higher functioning systems with our Opteron platform."

Sun has effectively upstaged HP by offering systems that support Linux, can offer better performance, and deliver a clear path to Solaris for customers that want to run Unix. In addition, Sun is helping developers and ISVs protect their technology investments by making it easy to port from HP to Sun systems based on the AMD Opteron processor, through the Migration to Sun platforms program.

Sun offers the industry's best performing and the most complete line of AMD Opteron processor-based servers with the two processor Sun Fire (TM) V20z server and the four processor Sun Fire V40z server. The Sun Fire V40z server demonstrated best performance among all four CPU x86 servers in 2-tier SAP Sales and Distribution Standard Application Benchmark. It performs up to 23% better than a comparably equipped HP ProLiant Xeon-based server and up to 6.5% better than HP's 4-way Opteron-based server. And, Sun has worked closely with AMD to optimize the Solaris Operating System, Linux, and the Java Enterprise System-as well as Microsoft Windows-to run on the systems.

"Sun offers better value and performance on servers based on industry standard components-with the added advantage of our 64-bit heritage in operating systems and broad enterprise application support," said John Fowler, executive vice president of Sun's Network Systems Group. "We have the most complete line of Opteron servers, and more are on the way. We're the only company that delivers an enterprise proven UNIX operating system on x86 with Solaris. For customers that want to run Linux we provide systems with screaming performance and broad application support. What I'd like to say to HP customers is you can rest peacefully knowing that Sun is offering a brighter future."

Sun Microsystems Inc.