Analysts question Fujitsu/Sun server plans

Analysts have warned that there are many issues to be resolved before Sun Microsystems and Fujitsu can complete plans to produce a standardised Solaris and Sparc-based server line within two years.

Codenamed the Advanced Product Line (APL), the joint initiative is designed to replace Sun's Fire and Fujitsu's Primepower server product lines in mid-2006.

"From a market point of view, customers do not want technology for the sake of it. They want it to fit the needs of their requirements," said Elie Simon, Sun's EMEA vice president.

"If we can focus on setting the technology agenda, our market reach will be extended."

Sun and Fujitsu will collaborate on the next-generation 64-bit Risc processors, on which the APL will be based. The servers will scale from one-way to multi-way.

The deal between the two vendors will bring together Fujitsu's Sparc64 and Sun's UltraSparc chip lines in a jointly developed 90-nanometre processor.

But Andy Butler, vice president of research at analyst Gartner, said: "This should be good for Solaris users and for both companies, but there are many loose ends that have to be resolved."

For example, both vendors have indicated that they will keep their storage products separate, which could present interoperability challenges to users.

Secondly, Fujitsu has said that it will produce a high-end Itanium server at the end of next year to compete with its own Sparc-based Primepower boxes. Being required to sell Itanium-based kit could cause Sun resellers a problem, according to Butler.

Sun has confirmed that both vendors will use their channel networks to sell each other's products.

"They had to do something because Fujitsu's gains came from Sun's losses and vice versa, when the real enemy is IBM and Hewlett Packard," concluded Butler.