X

Sun beefs up software for ISPs

Solaris ISP Server now has faster Web server performance, a more user-friendly interface, the ability to run Java programs, and more.

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Expertise Processors, semiconductors, web browsers, quantum computing, supercomputers, AI, 3D printing, drones, computer science, physics, programming, materials science, USB, UWB, Android, digital photography, science. Credentials
  • Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.
See full bio
Stephen Shankland
2 min read
Sun Microsystems has beefed up its software for Internet service providers for quick-'n'-easy server setup.

Solaris ISP Server, which runs on systems using both Intel and Sun's Sparc chips, now has faster Web server performance, a more user-friendly interface, the ability to run Java programs, and support for Microsoft FrontPage extensions to Web pages.

The ISP software offers much of what a budding Internet service provider would need to get set up, except Internet email service, which is available as a separate package.

The software, which costs $5,995, lets people set up Internet servers that offer services such as FTP file transfer, Usenet news reading, and Web service. It's geared for medium to large sites. Sun released the first version of the product, 1.0, in July 1998.

The ISP Server software also offers features for keeping the server secure from unauthorized use, for allocating the bandwidth assigned to different functions, and for monitoring how well services such as FTP or email are working.

The software can handle 10,000 Web sites, 5,000 concurrent FTP connections, and 2,000 concurrent news connections.

In addition, Sun has begun selling calendar software that lets people keep track of their schedules across the Web. Calendar Server, which works on Sun's Solaris operating system, costs $875 per server.

The software fits into Sun's vision of network-centric computing, in which central servers handle most tasks and users can connect from all over to perform tasks such as checking email. Not coincidentally, Sun also sells many of those high-powered servers.