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Unix vendors challenged Microsoft's oft-delayed Windows NT 5 operating system with two major-albeit competing-initiatives last week.
First, IBM announced plans to partner with Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) to deliver a hybrid version of their Unix systems-AIX and UnixWare, respectively-on Intel's 64-bit Merced chips when they arrive in 2000.
A day later, Sun Microsystems announced Solaris 7, the next version of its Unix operating system. Formerly known as Solaris 2.7, it is intended to one-up NT by offering improved Windows NT connectivity and the ability to run some NT services.
Changing Names
At the same time, Microsoft gave its entire family of Windows operating systems the new moniker Windows 2000. NT 5.0 will now be known as Windows 2000 Advanced Server.
Sun downplayedthe IBM/SCO announcement, noting that SCO has tried before and failed to rally the Unix industry around its brand.