Sun Microsystems & Stanford University’s LOCKSS Program To Expand Through Mellon Foundation Funding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Palo Alto, CA (February 5, 2001) ? Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW),
and The Stanford University Libraries today announced that the Andrew W.
Mellon Foundation has provided continuation funding for an online archiving
program designed to provide reliable, persistent access to academic
materials published on the Internet. Begun as a collaboration between Sun
and Stanford, this project may provide a solution to the problem of
collecting and maintaining permanent access to electronic scholarly
publications and library collections, whose sustainability and permanency
would otherwise remain largely subject to the whim of publishers.
“The impermanence of Web content is an issue that affects everyone, but one
that is particularly relevant to libraries, said Michael A. Keller,
Stanford University Librarian. “Just as libraries have traditionally
striven to build and maintain permanent collections of paper-based
collections, LOCKSS will help them assure reliable, permanent access to
materials published on the Internet.”
Based on Java technology, LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keeps Stuff Safe) is an
open-source, distributed system, designed to run on inexpensive PCs without
central administration. LOCKSS works through a distributed network of
low-cost computers. Participating library computers continually poll among
themselves to monitor files on their hard disks at random intervals. Part
of the test will simulate the failure of some or all of the publishers. If
the files have been corrupted or altered, the autonomous caching system
replaces them with intact copies. Individual libraries can also monitor the
level of redundancy within the system.
“Sun is helping universities worldwide get access to this program which
cost-effectively enhances the value and helps provide sustainability of
electronically published material for present and future generations,” said
Kim Jones, vice president, Global Education & Research for Sun
Microsystems.
Initially funded by The National Science Foundation and Sun Microsystems,
the project was initiated in May 2000 and includes as test sites the
libraries at Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, University of California at
Berkeley, University of Tennessee and the Los Alamos National Library. The
newly announced funding from the Mellon Foundation will allow for the
global expansion of the project, including a second test that will include
dozens of major libraries starting in April 2001.
LOCKSS program designers, David S.H. Rosenthal of Sun Microsystems
Laboratories and Victoria A. Reich of Stanford University Libraries, also
plan to explore the suitability of LOCKSS for applications other than
academic journals. Rosenthal and Reich are also exploring the use of
LOCKSS to preserve government documents published on the web. More
information about LOCKSS can be found at http://lockss.stanford.edu/ and at
www.sun.com/tech/features/lockss.
Sun In Education
Sun is a leading provider of open network computing solutions to colleges
and universities around the world, powering academic, research and high
performance computing systems, campus administration, digital libraries and
student instruction systems. In addition, Sun is committed to connecting
the world’s students to the Internet, beginning with primary and secondary
schools and extending to all levels of higher education. For information
about Sun in Education, please visit http://www.sun.com/edu.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision — “The Network Is The
Computer” (TM) — has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNW), to
its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware,
software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide
to dot-com their businesses. With $17.6 billion in annual revenues, Sun
can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at
http://sun.com.
Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc., in the United States and other countries.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Alexa Hanes
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
(650) 786-5415
alexa.hanes@corp.sun.com
Betsy Turenne
Burson-Marsteller for Sun
(415) 591-4184
elizabeth_turenne@bm.com
