SGI supports Linux

Jan Kasprzak kas na informatics.muni.cz
Pátek Leden 29 14:53:44 CET 1999 

Zdroj:
http://www.sgi.com/newsroom/press_releases/1999/january/servers.html

Silicon Graphics Outlines Expanded Server
Strategy to Grow Market Leadership into New Areas

The Company's Strategy Encompasses an IA-32 Server
with Support for Linux and Windows NT and Extended
MIPS Roadmap

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA (January 28, 1999) -- Silicon Graphics, Inc.
(NYSE: SGI) today unveiled at the company's financial analyst meeting
an expanded server strategy that includes extending the MIPS®
processor roadmap and developing a server based on the Intel® IA-32
processor that will support Linux and Windows NT® operating systems.
In addition, the company said IRIX®, its industry-leading, scalable 64-bit
UNIX®-based operating system, will continue to be the premier
operating system for high-end server systems. The company declined to
provide timing or specific details on future products. 
Delivering on the company's dual-platform roadmap unveiled by
CEO Rick Belluzzo last April, the expanded strategy focuses on
providing comprehensive server solutions based on industry-standard
system components and operating systems. As this strategy unfolds, the
company will leverage its leadership with scalable MIPS
processor-based ccNUMA servers to also become a leading provider of
scalable IA-32 and IA-64 servers. 

	"Our customers have told us they want standards-based
       	systems. This means they want Windows NT, UNIX and
       	Linux," said John R. "Beau" Vrolyk, senior vice president,
       	Computer Systems Business Unit, Silicon Graphics. "SGI is
       	focused on delivering the best server architecture
       	regardless of the OS. The multi-year lead we have in our
       	MIPS ccNUMA systems provides us the technical
       	leadership required to develop scalable IA-32 and IA-64
       	machines. With the extension of the MIPS architecture, our
       	current and prospective high-end server customers will
       	have the best available system level performance. And, as
       	we roll out our Intel-based systems, we will extend this
       	performance advantage to the remainder of the server
       	market." 

       	"We are extending the MIPS processor family because
       	IRIX remains the dominant form of UNIX for
       	high-performance systems. We are the premier supplier in
       	the high-end server market with hundreds of
       	128-processor systems installed, including the largest in
       	the world - the 6,144 processor ASCI Blue Mountain
       	system. As we enter the low-end of the market with 32-bit
       	systems, we will support Windows NT and Linux, again
       	giving our customers what they have been asking for," said
       	Vrolyk. "By working closely with Microsoft on Windows
       	NT and with the Linux community, SGI will bring its
       	industry-leading skills in scalability to bear on the low-end
       	server market." 
	
       	"The company will extend its MIPS microprocessor line to
       	deliver processor speeds of 600 and 800 MHz with a
       	schedule for a faster microprocessor every six to nine
       	months. IRIX on MIPS is the premier combination for
       	scientific compute applications, and Silicon Graphics will
       	continue to develop the IRIX operating system to support
       	its customers with features such as higher scalability,
       	advanced clustering and enhanced system administration,"
       	stated Vrolyk. "Extending MIPS and adding the Intel
       	processor line will solidly sustain the company's
       	competitive advantage in the high end while opening new
       	low- and mid-range markets and channels for Silicon
       	Graphics servers. Silicon Graphics will also continue to
       	support IRIX on its OCTANE and O2 workstation product
       	lines." 
	
       	"We will lead the low-end server market with full support
       	for Linux from a leading UNIX systems vendor. SGI will
       	provide the same high level of quality and support for Linux
       	on its low-end IA-32 servers that it currently provides for
       	its industry leading high-end MIPS processor-based
       	systems. This will include the full support and backing of our
       	extremely technical field teams and our technically
       	sophisticated internal support organization," Vrolyk
       	continued. 
	
The company has actively worked with the Open Source community by
supporting Linux since the 1994 introduction of its Indy® workstation and
with support for Samba and HylaFax. In December 1998, the company
joined Linux International and introduced support of Samba 2.0 for its
OriginTM server line, enabling data consolidation and the world's fastest
data interoperability among Windows® and UNIX platform clients. Silicon
Graphics is the first commercial UNIX vendor to support Samba
software, a widely used suite of open source programs that simplifies
integration of multi-platform environments. 

This strategy also enables the company to augment its new line of visual
workstations by offering a Windows NT workgroup server solution with
the Silicon Graphics 320TM and the Silicon Graphics 540TM systems based
on Intel® processors and the Windows NT operating system. 
Certain matters discussed in this news release regarding future server
and microprocessor products may constitute forward-looking
statements, such as discussions of product release dates, product
availability, market acceptance and customer demand. Such
forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties,
including the timely release of products by manufacturing suppliers, the
availability of components and technologies from partners, suppliers and
licensors, the acceptance of applicable technologies, the impact of
competitive markets, products and pricing, and other risks detailed from
time to time in the company's SEC reports, including the reports on Form
10-Q for the quarter ending Sept. 30, 1998 and Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1998. Actual results may vary materially. 

Silicon Graphics, Inc. is a leading supplier of visual computing and
high-performance systems. The company offers the broadest range of
products in the industry -- from low-end desktop workstations to
servers and high-end supercomputers. Key industries include
communications, energy, entertainment, government, manufacturing and
sciences. Silicon Graphics and its subsidiaries have offices throughout the
world and headquarters in Mountain View, California. 

Silicon Graphics, OCTANE and IRIX are registered trademarks, and O2, Origin,
Silicon Graphics 320, Silicon Graphics 540 and the Silicon Graphics logo are
trademarks, of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Indy is a registered trademark used under
license in the United States and owned by Silicon Graphics, Inc. in other countries
worldwide. MIPS is a registered trademark of MIPS Technologies, Inc. Windows and
Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel is a registered
trademark of Intel Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States
and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company, Ltd. All other
trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. 


-Yenya

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\ Jan "Yenya" Kasprzak <kas at fi.muni.cz>       http://www.fi.muni.cz/~kas/
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