Network computer maker Sun Microsystems Inc. said on Thursday it planned to offer a new line of lower-cost computer servers based on the upstart Linux operating system rather than its own software.
The announcement was a surprise and a defensive move by the company. Sun has always argued its Solaris system's key asset was its ability to run on any sized machine.
But Sun said Linux was an important alternative operating system to the Windows system from its archrival Microsoft Corp.
Freely available Linux is spreading among corporate users aiming to cut costs, although analysts say it cannot yet handle some of the biggest tasks and ones that need extreme security. It is usually confined to mundane tasks such as Web site management or payroll systems.
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