Sun Recruiting Linux Solution Providers

Sun Microsystems Linux

The vendor will be rolling out a new iForce program for Linux solution providers in the next two to three weeks, said Cherly Kelly, director of global iForce marketing at Sun. She did not disclose details of the program.

Kelly said the "volume market," where Sun is aiming its new LX50 Linux-based servers, is the the only area in which Sun is doing partner recruitment.

Sun is looking for qualified partners with Linux expertise and volume and solution providers in the Windows NT market that want to get into a more secure environment with a Linux or Solaris operating system, Kelly said.

Sun does not have a specific target for how many partners it wants to add to help it target the Wintel market, Kelly said, adding that the number likely would be in the hundreds worldwide.

Sun currently has about 5,000 solution provider partners, including systems integrators, consulting firms, services providers and OEM partners, Kelly said.