Sun Microsystems  and Canonical , the commercial sponsor of the rapidly-growing Ubuntu GNU/Linux distribution, announced that the open-source Java Enterprise Edition 5 application server (specifically, the GlassFish Community reference implementation) will be made available on the widely popular Ubuntu operating system. The first Java application server to be distributed by Ubuntu, the Java EE 5 compatible GlassFish application server, will enable developers to create cutting-edge enterprise Java applications more rapidly than before.

"The combination of GlassFish and Ubuntu gives developers access to the leading open-source frameworks that will be key to developing next-generation Web 2.0 applications," said Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu.

Canonical furthered its push into the enterprise by announcing imminent certification and support for Ubuntu on Sun's x64 (x86, 64-bit) hardware, powered by AMD Opteron processors. Canonical had earlier announced certification of Ubuntu on Sun's UltraSPARC(R) processor-based Sun Fire T1000 and T2000 servers featuring CoolThreads technology. The expansion announced today includes support for the Sun Fire X4100 and X4200 servers, as well as the Sun Ultra 20 and 40 Workstations. This means that enterprises will now be able to run Ubuntu on Sun's x64 systems with the confidence of five-year software support provided by Canonical.

"Sun is teaming up with the vibrant Ubuntu community, which shares Sun's commitment to open source," said Karen Tegan Padir, vice president, Enterprise Java Platforms at Sun. "With the distribution of the GlassFish Java EE 5 application server on all Ubuntu releases, we are making it easier for developers to gain access to the latest version of the enterprise Java platform. And with certification and support of the Sun Fire x64 products, Ubuntu is an attractive option for enterprises."

The GlassFish Community is developing a Java EE 5 certified application server, which contains core modules upon which many other enterprise Java implementations will be based. By providing this solution in open source under an OSI-approved license, deployers of infrastructure solutions have the flexibility they want to view the source code and tune implementations to their needs. Open source reinvigorates the Java platform by enabling new opportunities for developers to participate in its creation and evolution.