Microsoft To Sun: Solaris 9 Integrated Approach Is 'Copycat' Of Windows Server

Microsoft Sun

"We're blushing. We've had the right model for the last several years," said Michael Goulde, a product manager in the Windows.Net product management group, noting that the Windows Server already incorporates an application server and Active Directory. "Sun has been very willing to talk against our integrated model, I guess, to buy time until they could copy it."

"It's a catch-up to Windows 2000, and we're in the final stages of bringing out our improved Windows.Net Server," said Goulde. "Sun's is a 'me too' announcement."

Gould also hinted strongly that Sun's integrated approach will be more of a bundling of its Sun ONE servers rather than true integration with the OS, at least in the near term.

At its widely anticipated launch of Solaris 9 on Wednesday, Sun touted its next-generation operating system as the foundation for its Sun ONE Web services platform, as well as a Unix operating system upgrade for its UltraSPARC III-based servers. Microsoft officials claimed Sun's announcements were a direct response to Microsoft's .Net and an affront to BEA Systems. They also hinted about a potential defection in the wings.

"BEA is the No. 2 ISV on the Solaris platform, and Sun's bundling of its app server is a direct threat to BEA's WebLogic," Goulde said. "We think BEA will likely think about pushing a platform where the vendor is not in direct competition with them."

Microsoft, which has been somewhat quiet as the application server battle among IBM, BEA and Sun heats up, is now taking a more aggressive and vocal position in the market. Its position is that Microsoft Windows 2000 is an application server with directory services built in and will become stronger with the Windows.Net Server release later this year.

The Windows.Net Server, which is moving into release candidate status this summer, will offer enhanced application and Web service support by incorporating Microsoft's .Net Framework and XML, SOAP and UDDI, as well as a re-architected Internet Information Server 6.0 process model. Microsoft also claims the enhanced, integrated Active Directory services in the Windows Server are superior to the Sun ONE Directory Server.

Earlier this week, Microsoft officials said the Windows operating system is evolving beyond basic networking and collaboration features such as file and print services to become a core application server for traditional client/server applications as well as XML Web services.

"Sometimes when I talk to customers, they ask about Microsoft's app server plans. Microsoft does have an application server, and from our point of view, the best application server is the one you already have," said Richard Burte, a product manager in Microsoft's .Net Solutions Developer Group.

He noted that the .Net programming model and other capabilities such as ASP.Net and Web forms make Windows 2000 and Windows.Net strong competitors in the application server market. Currently, customers have to download the .Net Framework to use it with Windows 2000. It will be built into the Windows.Net Server.