“Compaq Computer CEO Michael Capellas today released a line of
intricate, expensive servers that the company wants to integrate
into the backbone of the Internet. Announcing the launch of its
AlphaServer, code-named Wildfire, Capellas outlined the
Houston-based PC maker’s transformation into an Internet
infrastructure company capable of taking on Sun Microsystems and
others.”
“The new servers, priced between $100,000 and $1 million, stand
at the center of Compaq’s attack on Sun, the leader in the $32
billion Unix server market. Compaq is also betting its broader
product portfolio and its restructured approach to delivering
Web-based products and services will give it an edge.”
“Compaq eventually will offer three Wildfire models–the
eight-processor GS80, the 16-processor GS160 and the 32-processor
GS320–but only the GS160 initially will be available. The GS320
will be available later this quarter, and the GS80 is expected to
ship in the third quarter. The GS80 will cost around $100,000, the
GS160 around $500,000, and the GS320 more than $1 million. The
high-end servers initially will come with OpenVMS or Tru64 Unix.
Linux systems will be available later.”
“Compaq’s strategy will encompass all three server lines:
ProLiant, running Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Linux; AlphaServer,
with OpenVMS, Tru64 Unix or Linux; and Himalayas servers.”