FRAMINGHAM (05-19-95) - ~Sun Microsystems Inc. next week will unveil a Webful of Internet software that companies can use to support electronic commerce applications.
While World-Wide Web browser and server software have become almost commonplace, Sun hopes to attract a second look with Web software called Java that adds high-speed image motion to any Web site. Java-made simulations can be activated and controlled with the HotJava Web browser client software that Sun is also planning to spotlight in two weeks.
"People doing advertising on the 'Net can use HotJava to create image motion, such as creating a view of their product running," said Katherine Webster, Sun's manager of Internet market development.
The shared Web site run by the Internet Shopping Network as a retail outlet will be making use of HotJava, according to Webster.
Some analysts believe that the Java programming language has the potential to transform the Web.
"The current programming languages used on the Internet, such as Tckl, Perl, C or C++, are used a lot. But they are slow in how they carry out commands, and they cant do much interactively," said Jerry Michalski, managing editor of the "Release 1.0" newsletter.
Java is a distributed real-time language with software "knobs" for activating distributed applications, such as to run a simulation and manipulate images.
"It could be used with payment systems. And it's possible it could enhance the entire 'Net," Michalski said.
The object-oriented Java programming language can be used on any scalable processor architecture (SPARC) workstation, and Sun is now working on porting Java to the Macintosh and personal computer platforms, as well.
To encourage Internet users to utilize the HotJava browser, Sun has posted the browser at its Internet Web sites for free at http://www.sun.com.
Sun this week also will begin shipping a previously an-nounced Internet server called Netra.
Netra is a hardware/software bundle that includes Sun's Solaris 2.4 operating system with Web server software from Netscape Communications Inc.
Although Sun has faced criticism in the past for the security holes in its Unix software, it hopes to change that image with the introduction of a network firewall built to control communications from a corporate TCP/IP network to the public Internet.
Called SunScreen S-100, the firewall prevents unauthorized remote access to the Netra server. The firewall can also encrypt corporate traffic flowing across it.
SunScreen, which will ship in September, is currently being beta- tested within the network services division of Union Bank of Switzerland in Zurich.
So far, it has worked well to secure communication between multiple Union Bank of Switzerland sites, said Giorgio Scherla, network administrator for the bank.
The firewall, which uses RSA Data Security Inc. public-key encryption, allows the bank to authenticate data traveling from site to site through what is known as a digital signature. The firewall can also encrypt the data for confidentiality.
Pricing for Sun's Internet suite of products has not been announced, but up-to-date data can be obtained at its Web site.
Sun: (415) 786-8199.
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