Sun Microsystems, Inc.'s JavaSoft business unit has unveiled a new family of Java(TM) Server products that bring the multi-platform, easy to develop and deploy strengths of Java to the Internet, corporate intranets and emerging NC environments. The products include the Java Web Server, the Java NC Server, and the Java Server Toolkit.

"The Java Server products not only redefine the role of server software in network computing, they will also complement the Java based NC solution," said Jon Kannegaard, vice president of software products, JavaSoft. "By bringing the dynamic, `Write Once, Run Anywhere(TM)' power of Java to servers, we are giving developers and web masters the tools they need to create the next generation of web server applications."

Java NC Server will support JavaOS(TM) and the recently introduced HotJava(TM) Views(TM) webtop productivity environment to provide a powerful and complete solution for deploying network computers across the enterprise.

"The Java Server products complete the Java platform," said Kannegaard. "They can offer just-in-time upgrades for new Java technologies as well as boot of JavaOS and total server support for HotJava Views."

The new Java Web Server is for departments and individuals who want a complete, platform-independent, dynamic Web server solution. Because it is written completely with Java technology, the Java Web Server will run on any department or personal server platform, whether it is Novell Netware(TM), IBM AS400, UNIX, or a PC server.

The Java Web Server supports the Java Servlet APIs introduced at JavaOne(TM) in May 1996. The Java Servlet API, available for developers now at http://java.sun.com/java-server/, is a powerful alternative to the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) for processing database and other interactive transactions.

Java servlets, the server equivalent to Java applets, reduce development and maintenance costs of advanced Internet and intranet applications. The Java Web Server is currently available as an early access release at http://java.sun.com/java-server/ . The Java Web Server binary will be a free download when it ships in final version in early 1997.

Building Java Servers

JavaSoft will also offer a Java Server Toolkit for developers to build customized servers in Java for applications such as high volume information and entertainment sites, electronic commerce, and system and network management servers. The Java Server Toolkit will include a basic Java server framework that is fully compatible with JDK(TM) 1.1 and supporting the Java Servlet APIs, plus tools and sample servlets to speed and simplify the development of customized server solutions.

The Java Server Toolkit also includes the Java Servlet Engine, which enables Java servlets to run on legacy servers. Java developers currently utilizing and building servlets to run either on Java servers or other industry web servers include Art Technology Group, France Telecom, and Marimba (please see attached addendum).

Availability

The early access release of the Java Web Server binary, including the Java Servlet API specification, is available for download at http://java.sun.com/java-server/ . The final shipping version of the Java Web Server will be available in early 1997 from the same site. Java Server Toolkit will be licensed to developers through Web and other distribution channels. The Java NC Server will ship mid-1997.