Sun boosts x64 server options

Sun is claiming significant performance improvements over previous releases

Sun Microsystems has increased its 64-bit Intel Xeon-based server options with the launch of two new versions aimed at improving scalability, virtualisation and consolidation.

The vendor said today that the Sun Fire X4450 and Sun Blade X6450 are designed for a wide range of deployments, and offer significant performance improvements over previous releases.

"Sun's Intel Xeon-based products are seeing strong customer adoption and stellar product reviews," said Lisa Sieker, vice president of systems marketing at Sun.

"Today we are adding new value for customers with Intel's next-generation six-core Xeon chips in our high-density, highly scalable, energy-efficient systems. We also continue to work with Intel to optimise Solaris for Xeon processors."

Sun Blade and Sun Fire server users can expect strong performance with the new versions, and the releases are well suited for virtualisation and server consolidation purposes, Sun said.

Each runs a number of operating systems, including Solaris, Windows, Linux and VMware. In the case of Solaris, the releases are already set to work with Solaris 10 10/08 which is scheduled for release next month.

Sun accompanied the news with the unveiling of new benchmark results, including two world records for its server performance.

The Sun Blade X6450 server modules provide up to 11 teraflops of peak performance per fully populated Sun Blade 6048 chassis, while the Sun Fire X4450 server is highly optimised for data centre consolidation, providing capital equipment cost reductions and increased data centre efficiency, the firm said.