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Sun Microsystems Announces Lower Pricing Model, New Features for Sun Ray(TM) Ultra-Thin Client Environment for Education and Research Market

Posted on: Wednesday, 16 February 2005, 09:00 CST

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16 -- Worldwide Education and Research Conference -- Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced that it plans to offer a new, lower pricing model and enhanced features for the Sun Ray(TM) Server Software 3 and the Sun Ray 170 ultra-thin client for education and research institutions.

Interest in the Sun Ray ultra-thin client computing environment for the education and research market has been growing significantly, and the user group (Sun Ray Users' Group at http://www.sun-rays.org/) has grown to more than 500 members. The site, built by users, for users, is hosted on Sun technology at the Santa Clara, California County Office of Education.

The Sun Ray's low cost of computing and ease of deployment make it an ideal solution for budget-conscious institutions who want to deploy a secure, flexible network without the hefty price tag for professional services.

Sun Ray Server Software 3 Highlights:

The Sun Ray Server Software now provides cross-platform support for both the Solaris(TM) and Linux Operating Systems, so customers seeking to expand their Linux environments onto the desktop will be able to use the Sun Ray ultra-thin client. The software and client will support Sun Java(TM) Desktop System, release 2, Red Hat Advanced Server 3 (32-bit) and SuSe SLES 8 (32-bit).

The product also helps enables more-secure computing, adding a privacy mode function that encrypts traffic between the Sun Ray Server software and the Sun Ray ultra-thin client. This can block casual hacking attempts that use packet sniffing or snooping software to view sessions or pick out keystroke data for a replay attack.

Other enhancements include expanded peripheral support on the Solaris(TM) Operating System, Sun Ray ultra-thin client LAN deployment capability that helps customers mix client devices on the same network and improved performance capabilities that can reduce the minimum bandwidth requirement for a single client session by 50 percent.

In line with its mission to help education and research institutions reduce the cost and complexity of their networks, Sun is now offering the Sun Server Software for just $99 per twenty seat license or $2400 per site license.

Sun Ray 170 Ultra-Thin Client Highlights:

Sun Ray ultra-thin clients provide education and research customers with an interoperable desktop computing solution that reduces the maintenance, upgrading and operational costs associated with most "fat" PC clients. The stateless nature of Sun Ray ultra-thin clients allows for complete session mobility, improves workflow and helps ensure the protection of data.

Increasingly, universities and research facilities are becoming a unified global network where students, administrators, teachers and researchers share information and best practices. As the network grows, the need for secure flexible access will become critical. The Sun Ray ultra-thin client leverages the smart card reader to offer badged users this level of access and support.

"As we build out the global digital campus, the Sun Ray environment is becoming key to helping institutions maintain the integrity of their networks, and at the same time, have secure access to the network of things and information at the drop of a hat," said Kim Jones, vice president of Global Education and Research at Sun.

For a limited time, Sun is offering special promotional pricing on a select configuration of the Sun Ray 170 ultra-thin client for the education and research market. The Sun Ray 170 ultra-thin client is just $750 (USD) per system. (This discount will vary outside of the United States).

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer(TM)" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com/ .

NOTE: Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, Java, Solaris, Sun Ray and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

The hardware promotion on the Sun Ray 170 is for a limited time period -- ending March 31, 2005 for Sun Global Education and Research customers. All prices are U.S. list price. All prices quoted are in U.S. Dollars.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Karen Kahn

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

415-297-5035

karen.kahn@sun.com

Jennifer Farrior

Alexander Ogilvy PR for Sun Microsystems, Inc.

415-677-2719

jennifer.farrior@ogilvypr.com

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

CONTACT: Karen Kahn of Sun Microsystems, Inc., +1-415-297-5035, orkaren.kahn@sun.com; or Jennifer Farrior of Alexander Ogilvy PR,+1-415-677-2719, or jennifer.farrior@ogilvypr.com, for Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Web site: http://sun.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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