Server vendor opens website allowing users to tap into vast server network
Talking up the launch of its retail Grid, Sun Microsystems is parading a series of customers and partners to inspire potential users of the service.
The retail grid was launched on Wednesday for users in the US. A UK version is expected within the next six months. The service offers access to compute power at a rate of $1 per CPU hour. Units can be purchases through a verified Paypal account.
As the term suggests, a CPU hour represents one processor running for one hour at full speed. As processors become more powerful, customers will effectively receive more compute power for their money, said Ashling McRunnels, senior director of utility computing for Sun Microsystems.
As part of the official launch, Sun is highlighting several applications for which partners currently use the grid. A service using text to speech recognition for instance will allow consumers to turn their morning newspaper into a podcast that they can listen to during their morning commute.
The Grid offering could allow start-up companies to quickly ramp up their production without having to worry about building out a datacentre first, Sun suggested.
The server maker also raked in an endorsement from long time partner Oracle. The database and enterprise software vendors promised to build in support for the services into Oracle's On Demand products for hosted applications.
Frank Gillett, a principal analyst with Forrester Research, said that the offering is a "very interesting experiment", but cautioned that it currently only has a narrow market.
"For the public utility, it's less obvious if there is a large market for that. For most companies the more interesting alternative will be the commercial grid, where you can work out more details about service levels," he said.
The launch of the retail service comes over a year after Sun officially launched its Grid. The service in the mean time has been available to enterprise customers as a service resembling outsourcing with predetermined contracts and service level agreements.
The retail grid however is different in that it allows users to access its computing power when they need it with any contracts.
The inability to predict the kind of tasks that would be submitted to the service, as well as concern over export controls caused delays in the service's launch, Sun President and chief operating officer Jonathan Schwartz said earlier this week.
The numerous delays in the product's roll-out gave rise to criticism, especially as Sun was vague on the reasons for it.
"Sun's difficulties are in part because of their willingness to experiment and take chances," noted Gillett.
"Some of the criticism on them has been too harsh. But they also have to recognise that they are making some outrageous claims, so of course they are going to get some grief for it."
Talking up the launch of its retail Grid, Sun Microsystems is parading a series of customers and partners to inspire potential users of the service.
The retail grid was launched on Wednesday for users in the US. A UK version is expected within the next six months. The service offers access to compute power at a rate of $1 per CPU hour. Units can be purchases through a verified Paypal account.
As the term suggests, a CPU hour represents one processor running for one hour at full speed. As processors become more powerful, customers will effectively receive more compute power for their money, said Ashling McRunnels, senior director of utility computing for Sun Microsystems.
As part of the official launch, Sun is highlighting several applications for which partners currently use the grid. A service using text to speech recognition for instance will allow consumers to turn their morning newspaper into a podcast that they can listen to during their morning commute.
The Grid offering could allow start-up companies to quickly ramp up their production without having to worry about building out a datacentre first, Sun suggested.
The server maker also raked in an endorsement from long time partner Oracle. The database and enterprise software vendors promised to build in support for the services into Oracle's On Demand products for hosted applications.
Frank Gillett, a principal analyst with Forrester Research, said that the offering is a "very interesting experiment", but cautioned that it currently only has a narrow market.
"For the public utility, it's less obvious if there is a large market for that. For most companies the more interesting alternative will be the commercial grid, where you can work out more details about service levels," he said.
The launch of the retail service comes over a year after Sun officially launched its Grid. The service in the mean time has been available to enterprise customers as a service resembling outsourcing with predetermined contracts and service level agreements.
The retail grid however is different in that it allows users to access its computing power when they need it with any contracts.
The inability to predict the kind of tasks that would be submitted to the service, as well as concern over export controls caused delays in the service's launch, Sun President and chief operating officer Jonathan Schwartz said earlier this week.
The numerous delays in the product's roll-out gave rise to criticism, especially as Sun was vague on the reasons for it.
"Sun's difficulties are in part because of their willingness to experiment and take chances," noted Gillett.
"Some of the criticism on them has been too harsh. But they also have to recognise that they are making some outrageous claims, so of course they are going to get some grief for it."
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