The Hewlett-Packard vs. Oracle feud continues to earn some headlines. But business continues to get done within the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) partner program. A prime example: Mitel, which specializes in unified communications, is now promoting a UC and desktop virtualization solution that works with Oracle’s Sun Ray Clients. Here’s a look at the effort.

According to the official press release:

Mitel’s Communications Director (MCD), the backbone of Mitel’s software solutions, can also run completely on Oracle’s Sun Fire x86 clustered systems and StorageTek tape and library storage solutions.

Rising or Falling Sun Rays?

But the big question: How popular are Oracle’s Sun Ray Clients, especially with channel partners? No doubt, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison was a fan of so-called Network Computers in the 1990s. And Oracle inherited the Sun Ray Clients through the Sun Microsystems acquisition.

Most recently, Oracle in July 2010 announced some Sun Ray software enhancements, with a heavy focus on desktop virtualization. And during a meeting with The VAR Guy earlier this year, Oracle Channel Chief Judson Althoff casually mentioned his interest in growing Oracle’s desktop virtualization business via partners.

We expect that theme to continue during the Oracle OpenWorld conference (Sept. 19-23, San Francisco).

Additional reporting by Joe Panettieri. Sign up for The VAR Guy’s Newsletter; Webcasts and Resource Center; and via RSS; Facebook;   Identi.ca; Twitter and VARtweet.