SYSTEMS

Sun Microsystems today announced that it is a founding member of the Ethernet Alliance, an industry group dedicated to the continued success and expansion of Ethernet technology. Sun Microsystems will play a key role in helping the Ethernet Alliance fulfill its mission of helping member companies increase acceptance and reduce time-to-market of Ethernet products by supporting the advancement of existing and emerging Ethernet technologies. In addition to Sun Microsystems, founding members of the Ethernet Alliance include 3Com, ADC, Agere Systems, Aquantia, Broadcom, Force10 Networks, Foundry Networks, Intel, Lawrence Berkley Labs, Pioneer Corporation, Quake Technologies, Samsung, Tehuti Networks, Tyco Electronics, The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL), and Xilinx. Unlike past alliances that support single IEEE 802 Ethernet projects, the Ethernet Alliance will exist for as long as it remains relevant to IEEE 802 Ethernet technology and it will support IEEE 802 Ethernet projects: 1. By speeding acceptance and time-to-market for new Ethernet markets and technologies; 2. By cultivating efforts to define and develop new Ethernet technologies; 3. And by educating Ethernet users on their choices and implementations for various applications. Moreover, the Ethernet Alliance removes the barrier of start-up and organizational issues that surround individually dedicated efforts, saving both time and money. "Sun has been in the forefront of the IEEE Ethernet development and evolution from 100 Mbps to 10 Gigabit Ethernet as it is one of the key elements of Sun's vision "Network is the Computer," said Dilip Modi, Sun Microsystems representative to the Ethernet Alliance. "We are looking forward to working with the Ethernet Alliance for faster development and adoption of the next generation Ethernet technologies for unification of the datacenter computing and high performance networking." "The Ethernet Alliance is pleased to have Sun Microsystems as one of our founders," said Brad Booth, president of the Ethernet Alliance. "Sun Microsystems has a long history of involvement in IEEE 802.3 and in the formation of various past alliances for promoting of Ethernet technologies." "The founding members of the Ethernet Alliance have played important roles in supporting Ethernet standards and advancements, and together they provide a strong foundation for the Alliance," said Cindy Borovick, program director, Datacenter Networks program, IDC. "The Ethernet Alliance promises to be a cohesive voice for the Ethernet industry."