Open For Business

The RISC-based Scalalable Processor ARChitecture includes processors from multiple vendors that range in price from less than $10 to more than $3000, and powers devices that scale in functionality from small digital cameras to large mainframe-class UNIX servers. This microprocessor architecture is controlled and managed by SPARC International (SI), an independent governing body founded in 1989. Since its inception, the SPARC architecture has been guided by its fundamental design philosophy of open standards. Open - to promote innovation, to provide options and flexibility, to encourage fair competition, and ultimately, to help businesses relying on the SPARC platform thrive. Any version of the SPARC Instruction Set can be licensed from SPARC International, and then used to design processors implementing that open standard. Truly - in letter and in spirit, SPARC's open - for business!

OPEN - For Fairness

The SPARC Instruction Set is available for license by any person or company. Additionally, the licensee may join SI membership at any desired level with associated privileges. While member companies cooperate on open standards, they compete fairly on implementations.

OPEN - For Innovation

With more companies adopting the SPARC architecture, there are more ideas and methodologies to solve a given problem, allowing for innovation at a much more rapid rate. This is a huge benefit to member companies as they define future standards.

OPEN - For Flexibility

While specific implementations have to be compliant to the SPARC standards, members enjoy flexibility in the implementation of those standards. Members also may choose to add their own proprietary intellectual property resulting from extensions to the SPARC standards.

OPEN - For Business

The SPARC architecture not only provides the scalability, performance, and reliability for current requirements, but also incorporates the architectural "headroom" to meet the computing challenges of the future. SPARC's openness has led to a community with multiple chip vendors, thousands of available applications and one of the largest developer communities in the world.