Sun Microsystems and HP announced extension of multi-year partnership agreement enabling HP to distribute as well as provide technical support for Sun Solaris 10 operating system on HP ProLiant server and blade system platforms.

The tie-up results in Solaris becoming part of key operating environments for the HP ProLiant(2) platform. The alliance also aims to enhance customer experience by providing a single point of purchase, contact and accountability for Solaris on HP ProLiant.

“We’re responding to our customers who have asked for expanded HP ProLiant operating environment support to address their diverse application requirements,” said Mark Potter, senior vice president and general manager, Blade System and Insight Software, HP. “The combination of Solaris and HP ProLiant delivers superior performance, scalability and virtualization capabilities on x86 servers. Backed by industry-leading HP Technology Services, the agreement gives our joint customers complete confidence to grow their businesses while also controlling costs.”

“The endorsement of Solaris on HP ProLiant dramatically expands the available market for Solaris on x86 servers, building on the largest installed-base of any commercial UNIX and Linux distribution,” said John Fowler, executive vice president, Systems, Sun Microsystems. “The growing demand and ecosystem around Solaris helps to further propel its adoption, along with breakthrough technologies like ZFS and D Trace, and outstanding operational economics and market-leading support for thousands of ISVs and applications.”