Sun Microsystems has fleshed out its strategy for developing peer-to-peer technology by acquiring InfraSearch, a search engine start-up, for a undisclosed amount in an all stock deal.

InfraSearch is using a Napster-like approach to allow people to post and share product catalogues, stock indexes, or other non-HTML data on the Web. It also claims to be adding "intelligent agent" Web search to Gnutella's file-swapping model.

With the acquisition, Sun intends to strengthen and accelerate its Project Juxtapose, a research effort within Sun to develop fresh approaches to distributed computing.

"P2P [peer-to-peer] is one viable style of network computing", said Mike Clary, vice president, Sun Microsystems. "Searching is a fundamental component needed to create compelling P2P applications. The acquisition of InfraSearch will help accelerate and foster Project Juxtapose into a meaningful community effort."

Project Juxtapose is led by noted Sun scientist Bill Joy who, as previously reported, has said software and specifications for a "crufty" implementation of the initiative will be released under the Apache license in April. ®

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