Sun to resell Windows as Linux, Solaris alternative

Starting soon, you'll be able to buy Sun x64 servers with Windows Server 2003 pre-loaded. While the OS has long been certified to run on Sun hardware, this is the first time that Sun will actually sell and support Windows as an OEM.

The two companies issued a join press release today describing their "expanded strategic alliance". In addition to the OEM deal, one item that caught my eye was increased cooperation on virtualization:

Sun and Microsoft will work together to ensure that Solaris runs well as a guest on Microsoft virtualization technologies and that Windows Server runs well as a guest on Sun's virtualization technologies. Sun and Microsoft will work together on a support process for customers who are using the virtualization solutions.

As part of the agreement, Microsoft and Sun will work together on storage and IPTV solutions. Sun will have a permanent presence on Microsoft's Redmond campus in a new Interoperability Center.

The announcement comes just two days after Sun and IBM announced they would work together on OpenOffice.org in an effort to unseat Microsoft Office in the desktop productivity market.