MOTOROLA AND SUN COLLABORATE TO DOT-COM NEXT-GENERATION C4I SYSTEMS
Jini[tm] Connection Technology for Integration into U.S. Army's TOCs
SCOTTSDALE, AZ, and PALO ALTO, CA, -- February 10, 2000
-- Motorola and Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced they will collaborate on the
development of a next-generation architecture designed to support distributed Command,
Control, Communications, Computer and Intelligence (C4I) operations.
Openwings [tm], the new architecture, is based on Sun Jini[tm] technology and extends the
"Simply Connect" proposition of Jini technology to future Army C4I systems.
The project is a joint R&D effort by both companies conducted in cooperation with the
U.S. Army. The companies will develop an open specification based on Sun's Java[tm] and Jini technologies.
The Openwings architecture has the potential to greatly reduce the complexity and size of
future Army Tactical Operations Centers (TOCs) while enhancing operational performance and
battlefield survivability. It provides the battlefield commanders distinct operational
advantages including increased force dispersion and the ability to quickly mass and
synchronize forces at the right place and time.
The future integration of Java and Jini technologies into Army C4I systems will enable
field forces to spontaneously add new hardware and software without reconfiguring the
entire network. This reduces Army administration costs and expedites decision-making. The
companies plan to expand the development work into a defense-network-infrastructure
standard for all the armed services.
"The integration of Sun's Jini technology into the Army TOCs will enable commanders,
the battlefield decision makers, to get the right information into the hands of the right
soldiers at the right place at the right time," said Mark Fried, vice president and
general manager of the Motorola Integrated Systems Division. "The resilience of Sun's
Jini technology provides the Army with advanced network solutions that increase
operational performance."
Motorola and Sun are creating a turnkey systems-integration solution drawing upon the
cross-platform functionality of Java technology and the networking capabilities of the
Jini platform. As this infrastructure evolves, Sun will also incorporate its SunConnect
[tm] architecture into the Army's TOCs. The SunConnect framework increases the scalability
and functionality of Java and Jini technologies.
"With Motorola's systems integration expertise and the ubiquitous connectivity
capability of Jini technology, the armed forces' next-generation C4I network can function
as an efficient mobile computer system that gives commanders a clear operational advantage
on the battlefield," said Thomas Kreidler, president of Sun Microsystems Federal,
Inc. "This next generation, network-centric communications solution will increase the
flexibility, efficiency and overall capabilities of the armed forces communication
system."
Sun's SPARC[tm] workstations and the Solaris[tm]
operating environment currently run most of the Army's TOCs. With the integration of
the new Jini and Java technology-based architecture, the C4I networks are scalable and
able to meet future defense needs. As new generations of communication technologies are
introduced, the Army's field forces will be able to utilize the most appropriate mobile
computing devices to allow for effective communications among echelons. This collaborative
effort by Motorola and Sun is part of an open development process allowing the C4I
community and government entities to jointly design specifications for widespread use.
About Jini Technology
Jini connection technology enables disparate devices to form resilient
impromptu communities. These communities are pulled together using Java Remote Method
Invocation (RMI) technology, thus providing cross-platform interoperability. Jini
technology enabled devices are networked by a look-up service that acts as a switchboard
that connects devices to the communities' services. The independence of Jini technology
networked communities offer a cost-effective method for organizations to scale back man
hours needed for network administration oversight.
About SunConnect
SunConnect is the only open architectural framework that allows
organizations to develop and deploy secure, high availability, high bandwidth
channel-based services and solutions. By leveraging Java[tm] technology's "Write
Once, Run Anywhere[tm]" capabilities, organizations can extend existing front, middle
and back office capabilities across the network while also integrating new services from
partners and other third-party providers. SunConnect architecture is based on Sun's
Solaris[tm] Operating Environment SPARC[tm] Platform Edition, which incorporates the
scalability needed for enterprise computing with the high availability required for
transaction-intensive applications. SunConnect architecture is deployable on any hardware
platform, since it is based on open-standards like CORBA, HTML, XML and Java technologies.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- The Network is The
Computer™ -- has propelled Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq:SUNW) to its position as a
leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the
Internet and allow companies worldwide to ".com" their businesses. With $13
billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World
Wide Web at http://www.sun.com.
About Motorola
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated
communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1998 were $29.4
billion. For more information, please visit the Motorola Web site at http://www.motorola.com.
Sun, the Sun logo, Sun
Microsystems, Sun StorEdge, Java, Jiro and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc., in the United States and other countries.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, exclusively
licensed through X/Open Company Ltd.
The Motorola logo is registered trademark of Motorola, Inc., R Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm.
Off. All other companies and products listed herein are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
PR Contacts for Press and Analysts:
|
