Ericsson and Sun to develop open source-based server

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Telecom equipment maker Ericsson (ERICb.ST) said on Tuesday it would join forces with U.S. computer maker Sun Microsystems SUNW.O to develop an open source Java technology-based multimedia application server.

The Swedish telecoms networking company said in a statement the collaboration deal also included plans to develop a support program for the developer community.

"With this collaboration, Ericsson will contribute parts of its server development to the open source project GlassFish," Ericsson said.

"The supporting program includes a variety of tools and expertise to support developer communities, as well as a possibility for developers to test their applications on a live IMS-based network."