Sun Microsystems this week will introduce a strategy for building Internet portal sites based on an upgraded version of its NetDynamics application server, which lets users combine E-mail, directory, and other servers in an integrated Web interface. The strategy will likely take advantage of Sun's technology partnership with Netscape.

NetDynamics 5.0, which will be available next week, bolsters cross-platform capabilities by adding support for Microsoft's Component Object Model and Windows NT-based Transaction Server. Sun plans to provide telephone advice to customers who run NetDynamics on NT, says Zack Rinat, VP of NetDynamics.

Sun plans to ship by year's end a portal suite that combines NetDynamics 5.0 with servers from Netscape. The companies will disclose which software will be bundled after Netscape finalizes its pending merger with America Online this spring.