Sun rolls out new high-performance servers

The new Sun servers feature the latest quad-core Opteron processors

Sun has updated its range of x64 servers.

The new line will feature five rack-mount servers as well as a pair of blade server modules. Each of the new servers will sport AMD's latest "Shanghai" quad-core Opteron server processors.

Additionally, the new servers will be offered with a choice of Windows, Linux or Solaris operating systems as well as an option for VMware virtualisation software. Sun said that the new servers can support up to 100 virtualised servers on a single server unit.

"Sun's AMD Opteron processor-based x64 servers stand out in three areas that matter to customers – performance, energy efficiency and scalability," said Sun vice president of systems marketing Lisa Sieker.

The company hopes that the more powerful processors will expand the appeal of the x64 line, particularly in the areas of high-performance computing and systems that demand large numbers of virtualised machines. Sun is also aiming the new server line at consolidation projects.

The company said the new servers have achieved five new benchmark records in multiprocessor performance, multi-threading performance and web server performance.

Each of the new models will also be offered through the company's "Try and Buy" scheme. The trial programme, which was expanded in October, allows companies to test drive servers for a 60-day period with the option of purchasing the systems at a discounted price.