Implementing Java computing: Sun on architecture and applications deployment

SunIR is the information technology organization within Sun Microsystems that is responsible for developing and maintaining the IT environment that supports all of Sun's business operations worldwide. This environment supports more than 20,000 employees in 180 locations in 55 countries. It currently consists of a global network with more than 3,000 subnets, 35,000 desktops, 9,000 servers and 200 internally developed distributed business applications, which are accessed by employees as well as customers, vendors and other business partners outside Sun's corporate intranet. In the process of providing the infrastructure and computer systems upon which all of Sun's business is run, SunIR also serves as a proving ground for many Sun products. We expect this architecture to continue to evolve as we learn more and as new technologies become available. We are currently working to incorporate Enterprise JavaBeans technology into this model, as we continue to build and deploy enterprise applications that support the operations of a $9 billion company.