IBM to Unleash New Unix Server.

Byline: Kirk Ladendorf

Oct. 4--Five years ago, IBM Corp. set out to revive its fortunes in Unix computing. Today, the company will show off the results of its efforts -- Regatta, a powerful server largely developed in Austin that gives Big Blue another product to use in its battle with market leader Sun Microsystems Inc.

Analysts say the new machine solidifies IBM's position as the main rival to Sun in the hypercompetitive Unix computer market, which historically has created the computers of choice for advanced scientific and technical computing as well as many "mission-critical" business and e-commerce jobs.

Strong sales of Regatta, analysts say, will help give IBM more than $4.2 billion in Unix hardware sales this year. …