Located at Microsoft's Redmond campus, the centre will be used by the companies for the demonstration and testing of Windows on Sun x64 systems and storage products, as well as allowing customers to perform proofs-of-concept for Windows Server 2008 on Sun hardware.
“The center will provide a setting for hands-on testing and tuning of Sun/Microsoft solutions, and will help our joint customers achieve outstanding performance results for their standardized and homegrown solutions," said Bob Kelly, corporate vice president of infrastructure server marketing at Microsoft.
"It is consistent with our recently announced interoperability principles, which guide steps that we are taking to enhance interoperability in the marketplace for the benefit of customers."
Other activities will include certifying Sun's Java software for and with Microsoft operating systems and applications, cross-platform server virtualisation, and development aimed at making the Sun Ray a "first-rate" client for Windows virtual desktops.
In related news, the two companies announced the availability of the Sun Infrastructure Solution for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.
"Sun's expertise in x64 servers, storage and 64-bit database architectures will enable customers to significantly reduce e-mail TCO and ease the transition to the new 64-bit product," said Lisa Sieker, vice president of systems marketing at Sun.
The combination of Exchange Server 2007 and Sun hardware is said to provide savings of up to 85 percent in rack space, power and cooling, and to reduce the three-year total cost of ownership for e-mail by up to 70 percent.
Sun, Microsoft open interop centre
Efforts announced last September to improve interoperability of Sun's hardware and Microsoft's software continue to take form with the official opening of the Sun/Microsoft Interoperability Center.
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Stephen Withers
Stephen Withers is one of Australia¹s most experienced IT journalists, having begun his career in the days of 8-bit 'microcomputers'. He covers the gamut from gadgets to enterprise systems. In previous lives he has been an academic, a systems programmer, an IT support manager, and an online services manager. Stephen holds an honours degree in Management Sciences, a PhD in Industrial and Business Studies, and is a senior member of the Australian Computer Society.
