Sun Microsystems Inc. on Tuesday is broadening its Java Enterprise System network services software package, releasing middleware suites tailored to functions such as service-oriented architectures and collaboration. The Java Enterprise System is also being upgraded.

Called Sun Java System Suites, the offerings are subsets of Java Enterprise System targeted at specific business problems.

"You can now purchase a version of the Java Enterprise System that"s targeted at a particular business problem," said Joe Keller, Sun vice president of marketing for Java Web services and development.

Sun Java suites being unveiled include the Application Platform Suite for developing SOAs. It consists of Sun Java System Application Server Enterprise and Web and portal servers as well as Sun"s development tools.

Also new is Availability Suite, featuring Sun Cluster and Sun Agents; Communications Suite, featuring Sun"s messaging server; Identity Management Suite, with ID management, directory software, and development tools; and Web Infrastructure Suite, for security and access control for Web applications and featuring Sun"s Web server, directory, and tools.

Sun also is announcing Java Enterprise System Release 3, which adds Sun"s N1 grid service pro-visioning system and development tools.

Sun last week unveiled its OpenSolaris program to make the Solaris OS available via open source and released 1,670 patents to the open source groups.

Breaking the package of servers into suites will allow midrange users to move to Java Enterprise System gradually, said Dana Gardner, senior analyst at The Yankee Group.