Oracle, Sun Micro Take Aim at Windows NT

Sun Microsystems Inc. and Oracle Corp. tightened their alliance against archrival Microsoft Corp., announcing an agreement to sell a package of Oracle’s database software with Sun’s business computers. Using Oracle’s software, the Sun computers enable businesses to run networks of smaller machines. The deal is aimed at staving off the growing threat of Microsoft’s popular Windows NT operating software. It also lifted the stocks of both companies. Shares of Redwood Shores-based Oracle rose $2.63 to close at $41.13; shares of Mountain View-based Sun rose $2.69 to close at $50.44. Both trade on Nasdaq. Oracle’s new database software, called Oracle8, is intended to help companies run network computers, or stripped-down machines that use software stored on a central computer. Oracle and Sun will also conduct joint marketing and sales, including a national advertising campaign, beginning this fall.