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Sun Microsystems Inc. is expected to announce its entry into the 32bit Linux server world today in a counteroffensive against the assaults on its proprietary business in serving the high end.

In doing so, Sun may risk eroding the value it derives from its core business. But company CEO Scott McNealy intends to dispel that notion during his keynote speech at the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo in San Francisco tomorrow.

In a teleconference last week, Sun VP and Chief Competitive Officer Shahin Khan hinted that the server product would be geared for the low end. It would be based on 32-bit processors, and it would run the Linux operating system. While being particularly opaque about the details, Sun's move toward industry-standard processors and an open-source operating system would seem to undercut its position as a company that offers its own processors, its own systems and a proprietary operating system for the high end of the server market.

"Welcome to the party," said Richard Michos, VP of IBM Linux servers. "Where have you been?"

IBM is planning a Linux server launch today based on the Intel Xeon line of processors as well as "SWAT" teams that will migrate a company's software from Sun's Solaris-based systems to IBM Linux servers, Michos said.

He added that customers are recognizing that platforms based on open standards are more manageable, more flexible, require less maintenance and are less expensive than proprietary RISC solutions.

In the past, Sun has argued that total cost of ownership is far more important than the cost of the operating system, but the company now appears to be hedging its bets. The company indicated in a pre-Linux-World release that its new servers will "shake up" the competition. While the company offered few details, McNealy's keynote speech at Linux World promises to address how Sun plans to make money on its Linux-based servers.

"In this market, you can't just dip your toe in with one server and one operating system," said Paul Miller, director of server product marketing for Hewlett-Packard. "You've got to be in this with a full array of services and options, or it is going to be a tough road."

Dell Computer Corp. also will be a competitor to Sun in the x86 space.

Michos believes the move by Sun is a recognition of the company's dim prospects for the future of its core business.

"They are groping," Michos said. "They are losing share to Intel platforms. Linux is a catalyst. This move is designed to leverage Linux. They are a good company; they're just a little desperate."

Sun didn't return calls by press time for more information. Khan did say in the conference call, however, that 32-bit Linux systems represented an incremental market opportunity for the company. Nevertheless, he said Sun would continue to focus on SPARC processors and Solaris in accordance with customer desires.