---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Solaris for x86 Now Available from SMCC SunFLASH Vol 55 #13 July 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55.13 Solaris for x86 Now Available from SMCC Solaris x86 bridges the gap between the PC world and the client/server computing environment. SMCC customers with SPARC and x86 platforms now have a single operating environment to run across their enterprise. Orderable now, shipments in mid-July. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC) recently announced the availability of the English version of Solaris(R) for x86 to its worldwide end user customers. The x86 products are orderable from the SMCC Worldwide End User Price List effective immediately with shipments beginning in mid-July. Solaris for x86 is the first computing environment capable of handling enterprise-wide computing requirements on x86 platforms. The Solaris comprehensive facilities meets the needs of a variety of users including the developer, system administrator and end user. With support for both SPARC(R) processor based and x86 systems, customers can now run their business on the Solaris operating environment. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ------------------- Solaris for x86 is a family of products that include the Desktop and Uniprocessor Workgroup Server kits (media, license, and documentation), the x86 AnswerBook(TM), and the Developer and System Administration hard copy documentation sets. SunPro x86 ProWorks family of products used for application development are available through SunExpress. An x86 Software Development Kit and a Driver Development Kit will be available from SMCC later this year. SOLARIS x86 DESKTOP ------------------- The Solaris Desktop product is the premier application execution and end user productivity environment in the industry. Ideally suited for the individual client workstation or x86 system, Solaris Desktop offers in one package a complete set of application run-time libraries for Xlib, XGL(TM), XIL(TM), PEX, as well as the complete SunOS(TM). Network-aware applications can be run through the ToolTalk(R) and Transport Independent Remote Procedure Call (TI/RPC) libraries. Solaris Desktop also includes all the client-side networking services, such as ONC+(TM), and NFS(R) to automatically connect to your enterprise and receive client services from the Solaris Workgroup Server. The Solaris Desktop also includes the DeskSet(TM) suite of 15 productivity tools such as File Manager, Multi-Media Mail and Calendar Manager. Solaris Desktop, in one convenient package, offers the individual user the power of his entire enterprise through one, intuitive, easy-to-use desktop environment. SOLARIS x86 UNIPROCESSOR WORKGROUP SERVER ----------------------------------------- The Solaris for Uniprocessor Workgroup Server product is ideally suited for the small-to-mid-range server which services a small workgroup of x86 client workstations. The Workgroup Server product includes the entire environment available in the Solaris Desktop product, but is licensed to support a unlimited number of users, desktop clients, or host terminals. The Workgroup Server product also bundles in server-oriented features such as NFS server functionality, NIS+ server functionality, diskless client support, etc. The Workgroup Server comes with system administrator-oriented documentation for installing Solaris on a range of server configurations and setting up clients. The Workgroup Server is also ideally suited for printer servers, networking gateways, file servers, and workgroup database information centers. SOLARIS x86 DOCUMENTATION ------------------------- Solaris x86 documentation products also available now: The Solaris 2.1 for x86 AnswerBook and two hardcopy doc sets, the Developer's set and the System Administrator's set. The x86 Answerbook provides the complete Solaris for x86 documentation set in an on-line format. The Developer's Documentation Set is a specific set of hardcopy manuals most commonly used by Solaris x86 application developers. The System Administrator Documentation Set is also available in hardcopy format for those manuals most commonly required by an Solaris x86 system administrator. Both hardcopy sets are included on the on-line x86 Answerbook CD. HARDWARE CONSIDERATIONS ----------------------- The Solaris 2.1 for x86 release supports most x86 uniprocessor system configurations. For an up-to-date listing of supported x86 systems and peripherals contact your local Sun Account Representative. Announcement for multiprocessor system support will be made later this year. POSITIONING ----------- Solaris is the only operating environment in today's computing world that spans a wide range of SPARC and X86 systems. Solaris enables businesses to easily move their x86 systems to Solaris distributed, client/server computing environment. Sun has long offered ways to bridge the gap between the PC world and the UNIX(R) client/server world. Sun's solutions today includes PC-NFS(R) software, SunPC(TM) software, Wabi and NetWare(R) SunLink(R) software. Solaris for X86, is a major step in strengthening the link between these two computing environments. The availability of Solaris for x86 will be very attractive to customers having both SPARC and x86 systems in their installed base for the following reasons: o Solaris user environment for SPARC and x86 provides one look and feel, leveraging customers investment in development, training, administration and support, and reducing the overall enterprise computing costs o Solaris' comprehensive, proven client/server facilities provides the flexibility and scalability needed to support any number of SPARC and x86 systems in a distributed computing environment o Customers utilizing Solaris for x86 will be Solaris ready when its time to upgrade to a more powerful SPARC computing platform o SPARC-processor based servers can be utilized to support x86 clients running Solaris. This offers a customer far more distributed computing power than a competitive product such as NetWare or NT o Solaris on x86 and SPARC platforms will simplify system administration at the MIS level, with common sywstem and network management tools and services o Solaris has the power to handle complex networks, on-line databases, technical applications and x86 application development. Solaris for x86, offers a high performance, robust environment that is ready to run your business Solaris for X86 will be instrumental in establishing Solaris as the dominant distributed computing environment of the 90's. Solaris for x86 will help capture additional applications for Solaris. Applications targeted for Solaris X86 are only a recompile away from a high performance SPARC system. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS --------------------- Q: What is Solaris for x86? A: Solaris for x86 is a port of Solaris 2.1 modified to operate on x86 platforms. Q: How is Solaris for x86 different from Solaris for SPARC? A: With the exception of some booting, installation, and configuration modifications that were made necessary by the different hardware base, the product is identical to the SPARC version. The release level of Solaris on x86 is 2.1. From an application standpoint, the SPARC and x86 releases are source compatible. Developers have found that porting a commercial application typically requires only a recompile. Q: Will SunExpress offer these products? A: Yes, SunExpress will also carry Solaris x86 products. Q: Are there any tools/documents available to assist with code migration issues? A: The following publication will be available through SMCC's literature distribution center by First Customer Shipment: Document "Writing Portable Applications - SPARC versus Intel Processors". Order part number 92196-001 Q: What multiprocessing x86 systems are supported? A: Although MP support is a fundamental component of all Solaris 2 releases, the First Customer Shipement release of Solaris on x86 will not support any specific MP platforms. An MP upgrade kit, including specific device drivers required for MP systems will be available at a later date. Q: What is the plan for localized releases of Solaris for x86? A: Announcement of the availability of localized versions for European languages will be made later this summer. Q: What Solaris x86 Software Development Products are available? SunPro's x86 ProWorks software development products are available through SunExpress. They include the ProCompiler C, C++, and FORTRAN. All products are specifically tuned for the x86 architecture. The ProWorks products also include tools for browsing, debugging, and performance tuning to speed up and simplify programming tasks. TeamWare included provides a suite of tools that provide code management, version control, and software release management support for teams of programmers. Q: Will there be an SMCC Early Access Solaris x86 Driver Developer's Kit? A: An Early Access Solaris x86 Driver Developer's Kit is availble From SunSoft for critical application developers. The DDK consists of documentation and sample drivers to assist developer's in creating x86 device drivers. The First Customer Shipment (FCS) version from SMCC will be available later this summer. Q:. When will there be Solaris x86 Software Developer Kit (SDK) Early Access? A: The Solaris Software Developer Kit (SDK) Early Access for x86 will be available in the Fall 1993. The SDK consists of software, tools, documentation and sample code that enable developers to write or port applications to Solaris. Q: Can SMCC Resellers purchase x86 products off the SMCC Worldwide end user price list? A: Generally, Resellers should be refered to the local SunSoft Sales Representative. They can purchase x86 products off the SMCC Worldwide end user price list WITHOUT their Reseller discount. U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION ------------------------------------- There are two Solaris 2.1 for x86 packages (media, license, amd documentation) available. One for the Desktop and one for the Workgroup Server. The Solaris x86 Desktop kit comes licensed for 1-2 users or clients to run on a x86 system or board. The Solaris x86 Uniprocessor Workgroup Server comes with an unlimited multiuser or client license. Both kits come with media and documentation. Also, each kit contains a coupon for a free copy of Wabi from SunSelect to be shipped following the Wabi First Customer Shipment later this summer. Wabi is an unbundled software product that allows MicroSoft Windows applications to run unmodified in the Solaris environment. Ordering Instructions --------------------- THE FOLLOWING ITEMS APPEAR ON THE END USER PRICE LIST ONLY Order List Discount A la Cart SW Description Number Price Category Support Price ============================================================================= Marketing Part Numbers ---------------------- Solaris 2.1 for x86 Desktop ISOL-D-P $695 N/D $35 Media, Doc's and License (English Only) Soalris 2.1 for x86 ISOL-US-P $1750 N/D $75 Uniprocessor Workgroup Server Media, Doc's and License Notes * Refer to the Solaris license information for details on Solaris licenses. * The x86 Desktop kit includes a Desktop license which allows two users or clients to run Solaris 2.1 for x86 on one System. * The x86 Uniprocessor WorkGroup Server kit includes a server license which allows an unlimited number of users and clients to run Solaris 2.1 for x86 on one uniprocessor system. * Solaris 2.1 for x86 includes SunOS, ONC, OpenWindows, DeskSet, and Tooltalk. * Solaris 2.1 for x86 end user documentation is included on the Solaris 2.1 x86 CD-ROM in on-line AnswerBook format at no additional charge. Documentation does not include the x86 Developer Documentation Set (ISOL-DD) or the x86 System Administration Documentation Set (ISOL-AD). * Solaris software support information can be found in the "Sun Service" section. Short Order List Discount A la Cart SW Description Number Price Category Support Price ============================================================================ Solaris 2.1 for x86 Answerbook ISOLA-P $495 N/D $5 Online Docs - Single-User License (English Only) Notes * Read the Software licensing information before ordering any software products. * Solaris 2.1 for x86 AnswerBook requires Solaris 2.1 for x86 * Solaris 2.1 for x86 AnswerBook includes a Single-User License that allows one user at a time to use the Solaris AnswerBook. Order additional media kits to cover the maximum number of concurrent users running Solaris 2.1 for x86. * The Solaris 2.1 for x86 AnswerBook Online Documentation provides online display of both the Developers and System Administration documentation sets (ISOL-DD, ISOL-AD). Short Order List Discount A la Cart SW Description Number Price Category Support Price ============================================================================= Solaris 2.1 for x86 Developers ISOL-DD $295 N/D N/A Hardcopy Documentation Set (No media) Solaris 2.1 for x86 Sys Admin ISOL-AD $295 N/D N/A Hardcopy Documentation Set (No media) Notes: * Both the Developers and System Administration hardcopy documentation sets noted above are available in on-line format on the Solaris 2.1 for x86 Answerbook (ISOLA-P) SunPro Proworks --------------- SunPro Proworks products are available through SunExpress and can be purchased after July 1 by calling 1-800-USE-SUNX. (c) 1993 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation, SunPro, SunExpress, SunSoft, Solaris, PC-NFS, SunPC, SunLink, AnswerBook, SunPro, SunExpress, XGL, XIL, SunOS, ToolTalk, ONC+, NFS, and DeskSet are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All SPARC trademarks, including the SCD Compliant Logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of Systems Laboratories, Inc. NetWare is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. ********************************************************************** For information about SunFlash send mail to info-sunflash@Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, ftp.uu.net, sunsite.unc.edu, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. Send brief articles (e.g. third party announcements) and include contact information (non-800#, fax #, email, etc) to: John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@Sun.COM. +1 305 351 4909 TRACE: To: sunflash@suntri Errors-to: owner-sunflash@suntri.east.sun.com