1993
Compaq ProLiant servers launched
Compaq introduced the ProLiant server line in September 1993 — x86Intel's dominant CPU architecture family — the instruction set behind most PCs and servers for decades. machines that brought PCPersonal computer — a computer designed for individual use, especially desktop or laptop machines. economics to datacenter rack servers (HP acquired Compaq in 2002).
What it was for
ProLiant servers ran Windows NT and Linux on standard Intel CPUs in rack-mount form factors — cheaper than proprietary UnixAn influential multitasking OS from the 1970s — files, pipes, and C shaped Linux, macOS, and BSD. boxes from SunSun Microsystems — maker of Java, Solaris, and SPARC; acquired by Oracle in 2010. and DEC. HP acquired Compaq in 2002 and kept the ProLiant brand for millions of datacenter hosts. Backend developers deploying on "commodity x86Intel's dominant CPU architecture family — the instruction set behind most PCs and servers for decades. servers" largely meant hardware in this lineage.
Why it's here
ProLiant defined the commodity x86Intel's dominant CPU architecture family — the instruction set behind most PCs and servers for decades. server category that Linux and Windows datacenters built on.
Why it mattered
It shifted enterprise backends from expensive UnixAn influential multitasking OS from the 1970s — files, pipes, and C shaped Linux, macOS, and BSD. minis to standardized rack-mount x86Intel's dominant CPU architecture family — the instruction set behind most PCs and servers for decades. hardware.
What it solved
Datacenters needed scalable servers without proprietary CPUCentral processing unit — the primary chip that executes program instructions. architectures and vendor lock-in.
Media
ImageProLiantServershop24, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Related
- Compaq Portable releasedMarch 1983
- IBM PC 5150 releasedAugust 12, 1981
- AMD Opteron — first x86-64 CPU — launchedApril 22, 2003
- Sun Enterprise 10000 released1996