Business software giant Oracle announced plans to acquire Sun Microsystems in a deal valued at $7.4 billion, or $5.6 billion net of Sun’s cash and debt.

Oracle originally specialized in database management software, but acquisitions over recent years – including PeopleSoft, Siebel Systems, BEA Systems, Hyperion, etc. – have expanded its portfolio. Sun provides both software and hardware (server) technologies.

In the formal announcement, Oracle stressed software: "There are substantial long-term strategic customer advantages to Oracle owning two key Sun software assets: Java and Solaris."

Both software platforms are known within the cable industry. CableLabs adopted Java as the execution engine for the OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP) in 2002. Many cable headends have run on Solaris, although that number appears to have dropped in recent years.

Four years ago, headends at one major U.S.-based MSO used to be 80 percent Solaris, 10 percent IBM/Intel, estimated one corporate engineer reached for comment. But as IBM shifted to Linux, those numbers have now reversed.

IBM recently had been in talks to acquire Sun. Those talks reportedly broke up in early April, possibly over regulatory concerns. The Sun board of directors anticipates closing the Oracle acquisition some time this summer.

"This is huge," said the engineer reached for comment. "In my opinion, the perfect marriage between OS (operating systems) and database."

– Jonathan Tombes

Read more news and analysis on Communications Technology‘s Web site at www.cable360.net/ct/news/.

The Daily

Subscribe
Thursday–April 25

Reviews

“Franklin,” streaming on Apple TV+ , new eps Fridays. Most people will come to “Franklin” for Michael Douglas , who plays Benjamin Franklin and is an exec prod, along with heavies like former HBO

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Calendar

Jun 13
2024 American Broadband Congress Conference Registration is Open!
Jun 26
2024 FAXIES Awards Nominations Are Open!
Full Calendar

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB?
VIEW JOBS

Hiring? In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors, The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact Rob Hudgins, [email protected], for more information.