For customers seeking a low-cost 64-bit option to Dell's and other vendors' products, Sun's Opteron servers can be purchased with SuSe or Red Hat Linux and with standard service, Fowler said. The servers also are qualified for use with Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003, although those operating systems aren't sold by Sun, he said.
The bare server hardware is priced competitively with or better than servers from other major vendors, according to Fowler. "Even so, our bundle [with Solaris and services] is still 40 percent cheaper than if you loaded Windows yourself," he said. "You still have to buy the operating system from Microsoft or someone else."
John Murphy, executive vice president of Advanced Systems Group, a Denver-based Sun partner, said his company is already selling Sun's two-way Opteron servers running Linux and looks forward to selling the four-way models. "Four processors are getting to the point where we should care about them in the enterprise," Murphy said.
Sun's four-way Opteron servers are available immediately to the channel via GE Access, Arrow Electronics and Tech Data. Sun also sells them directly and through other channels, such as PC Connection. The new servers--including one unit signed by Sun Chairman and CEO Scott McNealy--are available through eBay as well.
Sales by direct marketers typically do not impact the channel, according to Murphy. "In theory, no. But in all practicality, maybe," he said. "[Direct marketers] are addressing a different segment of the market that we are not addressing. But as an alternate way to purchase, it could affect us. We'll know more over time."
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