Sun Planning to Sell Systems Using Linux

Sun Microsystems Inc. plans to sell inexpensive server computers that run the free Linux operating system.

Rivals have cut into Sun’s market share for machines that run corporate networks. Analysts have questioned whether Sun may be vulnerable as smaller servers, running Linux and Microsoft Corp.’s Windows software, become more reliable. Sun’s main products run Solaris, a proprietary operating system.

Details are expected to be available by midyear, the Palo Alto company said.

Sun shares fell 36 cents to $9.22 on Nasdaq.