Sun is expanding a programme that allows businesses to test drive its servers.

The company said that it would be kicking off a new promotion for its "Try and Buy" operation. The programme allows businesses to try out Sun servers for 60 days. At the conclusion of this period, users will have the option to purchase the hardware.

Under the new programme, users will not only be able to test the hardware, but they will also be able to purchase the systems at a discounted price. The company said that the discounts could be as high as 40 per cent off the list price.

Among the offerings in the promotion are Sun's storage, x64 and CMT server lines. The company also plans to offer trials of its new Sparc Enterprise T5440 servers.

Earlier this month, the $45,000 server was touted by Sun as breaking seven benchmark performance records.

Sun said that it will offer the discounted prices until the end of May 2009.