Sun, Fujitsu Target Data-Centers With UltraSparc T2 Plus Servers

Sun Microsystems and partner Fujitsu on Wednesday launched two co-developed servers based on the UltraSparc T2 Plus processor, which the companies say will make it possible for customers to consolidate more data center applications on a single machine.

The CMT Sparc Enterprise T5140 and T5240 are the first dual-socket, general-purpose servers powered by the UltraSparc T2 Plus, the vendors said. The processor makes it possible to offer up to 128 compute threads in compact one- or two-rack units, and two to four times more memory and internal capacity than competitive x86 systems.

As a result, the systems allow up to 128 virtual servers per system to help in data center consolidation, the companies said. The servers use the Solaris 10 operating system.

"In just two and a half years we've increased CMT performance by over five times without sacrificing space or power efficiency," John Fowler, executive VP of Sun's Systems Group, said in a statement. "Customers can now scale more with less whether they're developing Web 2.0 services or running classic CRM or ERP" business applications.

Pricing for the CMT Sparc Enterprise T5140 starts at $14,995. Pricing for the T5240 starts at $17,995.Sun and Fujitsu introduced the joint product line a year ago with the release of the T1000 and T2000 servers, both entry-level systems powered by Sun's UltraSparc T1 processor. The servers also run the Solaris 10 operating systems.

Sun, Fujitsu, and Fujitsu Siemens, a joint venture of Fujitsu and the German company Siemens, sell the product line under their own logos and configure the systems based on local markets. Competitors include Hewlett-Packard and IBM.