SUN MICROSYSTEMS INC
DEF 14A, 1998-10-02
ELECTRONIC COMPUTERS
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<PAGE>   1
 
                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (RULE 14A-101)
 
                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
 
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
                    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.   )
 
Filed by the Registrant [x]
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement                [ ]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission
                                                     Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[x]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
</TABLE>
                              Sun Microsystems, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
[x]  No fee required.
 
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 
     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
     (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
          pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
          filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
     (5)  Total fee paid:
 
[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
 
[ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
     0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
     or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     (1)  Amount Previously Paid:
 
     (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
     (3)  Filing Party:
 
     (4)  Date Filed:
<PAGE>   2
 
                             SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
                            ------------------------
 
                  NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                               NOVEMBER 11, 1998
 
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:
 
     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
("Annual Meeting") of Sun Microsystems, Inc. ("Company"), a Delaware
corporation, will be held at the Company's Menlo Park offices at 10 Network
Circle (Building 10), Willow Road at Bayfront Expressway, Menlo Park, California
on Wednesday, November 11, 1998. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00
a.m. (registration will begin at 9:00 a.m.), local time, for the following
purposes:
 
     1. To elect directors to serve for the ensuing year and until their
        successors are elected;
 
     2. To approve an amendment to the Company's 1990 Long-Term Equity Incentive
        Plan in order to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance
        thereunder by 18,000,000 shares of Common Stock to an aggregate of
        119,400,000 shares;
 
     3. To approve an amendment to the Company's 1988 Directors' Stock Option
        Plan in order to decrease the number of shares of Common Stock subject
        to the one-time automatic nonemployee director grant (granted on the
        date of the initial appointment of a director who is not affiliated with
        an entity having an equity investment in the Company) from 80,000 shares
        to 30,000 shares; and
 
     4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
        Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.
 
     Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 1998
are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
     All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in
person. However, to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, you are
urged to mark, sign and return the enclosed Proxy as promptly as possible in the
postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose. Any stockholder attending
the Annual Meeting may vote in person, even though he or she has previously
returned a Proxy.
 
                                          Michael H. Morris
                                          Secretary
 
Palo Alto, California
October 2, 1998
 
                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
 
IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED
                               TO COMPLETE, SIGN
    AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE AND RETURN IT IN THE
                               ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
<PAGE>   3
 
                             SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
                            ------------------------
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
                            ------------------------
 
                 INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
 
GENERAL
 
     The enclosed Proxy is solicited on behalf of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
("Company") for use at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders ("Annual
Meeting") to be held Wednesday, November 11, 1998. The Annual Meeting will begin
promptly at 10:00 a.m. (registration will begin at 9:00 a.m.), local time, and
at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, for the purposes set forth
herein and in the accompanying Notice of the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting
will be held at the Company's Menlo Park offices at 10 Network Circle (Building
10), Willow Road at Bayfront Expressway, Menlo Park, California. The Company's
principal executive offices are located at 901 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto,
California 94303 and its telephone number is (650) 960-1300. These proxy
solicitation materials were mailed on or about October 2, 1998, to all
stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
RECORD DATE AND OUTSTANDING SHARES
 
     Stockholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 1998 (the
"Record Date"), are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. At
such Record Date, 381,262,063 shares of the Company's Common Stock, $0.00067 par
value, were outstanding. The closing sales price for the Company's Common Stock
on the Record Date, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market, was $49.00 per
share. The Company was aware of no beneficial owners of more than 5% of its
Common Stock as of the Record Date.
 
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
 
     Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person
giving it at any time before its use by delivering to the Company a written
notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by
attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
 
VOTING AND SOLICITATION
 
     On all matters other than the election of directors, each share has one
vote. The Company intends to include abstentions and broker non-votes as present
or represented for purposes of establishing a quorum for the transaction of
business, to include abstentions as shares entitled to vote and to exclude
broker non-votes from the calculation of shares entitled to vote with respect to
any proposal for which authorization to vote was withheld.
 
     The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company
has retained the services of Skinner & Co. to aid in the solicitation of proxies
from brokers, bank nominees and other institutional owners. The Company
estimates that it will pay Skinner & Co. a fee not to exceed $7,000 for its
services and will reimburse Skinner & Co. for certain out-of-pocket expenses
estimated to be not more than $15,000. In addition, the Company may reimburse
brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for
their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners.
Proxies may be solicited by certain of the Company's directors, officers and
regular employees, without additional compensation, personally or by telephone
or telegram. The Company is soliciting proxies from stockholders who are U.S.
employees of the Company electronically through the Internet.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   4
 
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
     Proposals of stockholders of the Company that are intended to be presented
by such stockholders at the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must
be received by the Company no later than June 3, 1999 in order to be considered
for possible inclusion in the Proxy Statement and form of Proxy relating to that
Meeting.
 
                                   PROPOSAL I
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
GENERAL
 
     A board of seven directors is to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Unless
otherwise instructed, the Proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them
for the Company's seven nominees named below, all of whom are currently
directors of the Company. In the event that any nominee of the Company is unable
or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting (neither of
which events is expected), the proxies will be voted for such nominee as shall
be designated by the current Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. In the
event that additional persons are nominated for election as directors, the Proxy
holders intend to vote all proxies received by them in such a manner in
accordance with cumulative voting as will ensure the election of as many of the
nominees listed below as possible and, in such event, the specific nominees to
be voted for will be determined by the Proxy holders.
 
VOTE REQUIRED
 
     Every stockholder voting for the election of directors may cumulate such
stockholder's votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number
of directors (seven) to be elected multiplied by the number of shares held by
such stockholder on the Record Date or may distribute the stockholder's votes on
the same principle among as many candidates as the stockholder thinks fit,
provided that votes cannot be cast for more than seven candidates. However, no
stockholder shall be entitled to cumulate votes unless such candidate's name has
been placed in nomination prior to the voting and the stockholder, or any other
stockholder, has given notice at the Annual Meeting prior to the voting of the
intention to cumulate the stockholder's votes.
 
     A quorum comprising the holders of the majority of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock on the Record Date must be present or represented by proxy for
the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. If a quorum is present, the
seven nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the
Board of Directors, whether or not such number of votes represents a majority of
the votes cast. Votes withheld and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes
of determining the presence or absence of a quorum but have no other effect
under Delaware law in the election of directors.
 
     The term of office of each person elected as a director will continue until
the next Annual Meeting or until his or her successor has been elected and
qualified.
 
     MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
NOMINEES
 
     The names of the nominees, their ages at the Record Date and certain other
information about them are set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             DIRECTOR
        NAME OF NOMINEE            AGE                 PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                   SINCE
        ---------------            ---                 --------------------                  --------
<S>                                <C>    <C>                                                <C>
Scott G. McNealy                   43     Chairman of the Board of Directors, President        1982
                                          and Chief Executive Officer, Sun Microsystems,
                                          Inc.
L. John Doerr                      47     General Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield &          1982
                                          Byers, a venture capital investment firm
Judith L. Estrin                   43     Chief Technology Officer, Senior Vice                1995
                                          President, Cisco Systems, Inc., a networking
                                          company
Robert J. Fisher                   44     Executive Vice President and Director, The Gap,      1995
                                          Inc. and President, Gap Division, a retail
                                          clothing company
Robert L. Long                     61     Independent Management Consultant                    1988
M. Kenneth Oshman                  58     Chairman of the Board of Directors, President        1988
                                          and Chief Executive Officer, Echelon
                                          Corporation, a provider of control network
                                          technologies
A. Michael Spence                  54     Dean, Graduate School of Business, Stanford          1990
                                          University
</TABLE>
 
     Except as set forth below, each of the nominees has been engaged in his or
her principal occupation set forth above during the past five years. There is no
family relationship between any director and any executive officer of the
Company.
 
     Mr. Doerr is also a director of Amazon.com, Inc., At Home Corporation,
Intuit, Inc., Macromedia, Inc., Netscape Communications Corporation, ONSALE,
Inc. He is also a member of the Compensation Committee of Intuit, Inc.,
Macromedia, Inc. and Netscape Communications Corporation.
 
     Ms. Estrin has served as Chief Technology Officer, Senior Vice President,
Cisco Systems, Inc., since April 1998. Prior to that time, she served as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Precept Software, Inc. from March 1995
to April 1998. From September 1994 to March 1995, Ms. Estrin was a Computer
Industry Consultant. From October 1993 to September 1994, Ms. Estrin was the
Chief Executive Officer of Network Computing Devices, Inc. ("NCD"), a supplier
of X-terminals and PC-to-UNIX connectivity software. From July 1988 to October
1993, Ms. Estrin served as the Executive Vice President of NCD. Ms. Estrin is
also a director of Federal Express Corporation, Rockwell International, Inc.,
and The Walt Disney Company.
 
     Mr. Fisher has served as Executive Vice President, The Gap, Inc. ("The
Gap") and President, Gap Division since April 1997. From November 1995 to April
1997, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The
Gap. From July 1993 to November 1995, he served as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of The Gap. From August 1992 to July 1993 he served as
Executive Vice President of The Gap. Mr. Fisher is also on the Board of
Directors of The Gap.
 
     Mr. Long retired from Eastman Kodak Company in December 1991 and is
currently an independent management consultant.
 
     Mr. Oshman is also a director of Knight-Ridder, Inc. and CMC Industries,
Inc. and a member of the Compensation Committee of CMC Industries, Inc.
 
     Mr. Spence is also a director of General Mills, Inc., Bank of America
Corporation, Nike, Inc., and Siebel Systems, Inc.
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
 
     The Board of Directors held a total of nine meetings during the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1998. The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a
Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
     The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Long (Chairman) and
Spence and Ms. Estrin, and held six meetings during the fiscal year ended June
30, 1998. The Audit Committee recommends engagement of the Company's independent
auditors and is primarily responsible for approving the services performed by
the Company's independent auditors and for reviewing and evaluating the
Company's accounting policies and its system of internal accounting controls.
During the entire fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, the Compensation Committee
consisted of Messrs. Doerr (Chairman), Fisher and Oshman. The Compensation
Committee reviews and approves the Company's executive compensation policies
and, on certain occasions, administers the Company's employee stock option and
stock purchase plans. The Compensation Committee held five meetings during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1998. See "Report of Compensation Committee of the
Board on Executive Compensation." The Nominating Committee currently consists of
Mr. Oshman (Chairman) and held no meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1998. The Nominating Committee reviews and makes recommendations regarding
candidates for service on the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee will
consider nominees recommended by stockholders. Any such recommendations should
be submitted in writing to the President or Secretary of the Company at the
Company's principal executive offices.
 
     During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, each incumbent director
attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of
Directors and meetings of the committees of the Board of Directors on which he
or she served, except that Mr. Doerr attended 64% of the aggregate number of
meetings of the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee (the committee
of the Board on which he served).
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
     The Company pays fees of $1,750 per month to each of its nonemployee
directors and reimburses such directors for his or her travel expenses. In
addition, the chairman of each committee of the Board of Directors is entitled
to receive $1,500 for each meeting of his or her committee which he or she
attends.
 
     Additionally, the nonemployee directors of the Company participate under
the Company's 1988 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Directors' Option Plan"),
as adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders in October
1988, which provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock options to nonemployee
directors. Under the Directors' Option Plan, each nonemployee director who is a
partner, officer or director of an entity having an equity investment in the
Company is automatically granted a nonstatutory stock option to purchase 20,000
shares of Common Stock of the Company on the date on which such person becomes a
director. Currently, each nonemployee director who is not, on the date of his or
her appointment to the Board of Directors, affiliated with an entity having an
equity investment in the Company, is automatically granted a nonstatutory stock
option to purchase 80,000 shares of Common Stock on the date on which such
person becomes a director of the Company. However, at the Annual Meeting, the
stockholders are being asked to vote in favor of decreasing the number of shares
subject to this initial automatic grant from 80,000 shares to 30,000 shares, see
"Proposal III -- Amendment to the 1988 Directors' Stock Option Plan." Following
each nonemployee director's initial appointment, each such director is
automatically granted a nonstatutory stock option to purchase 20,000 shares of
Common Stock of the Company on the date of each Annual Meeting of Stockholders
at which such nonemployee director is re-elected to serve on the Board of
Directors, provided that, on such date, he or she has served on the Board of
Directors for at least six months. The Directors' Option Plan provides that the
exercise price of the options granted thereunder shall be equal to the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the option. Options
granted pursuant to the Directors' Option Plan have a term of five years and are
exercisable cumulatively to the extent of 25% of the shares subject to the
option on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. Options
granted pursuant to the Directors' Option Plan may be exercised only while the
optionee is a director of the Company or within six months after termination of
service as a director due to death or disability or within ninety days after the
optionee ceases to serve as a director of the Company for any other reason. For
a more detailed description of the Directors' Option Plan, see "Proposal
III -- Amendment to the 1988 Directors' Stock Option Plan."
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
     During the last fiscal year, each of the nonemployee directors of the
Company was granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock, at an exercise price of $31.75 per share. During the last fiscal year
Messrs. Doerr, Long, Oshman, and Spence exercised options to purchase an
aggregate of 122,730 shares of the Company's Common Stock at exercise prices
ranging from $6.1562 to $8.5937 per share, for an aggregate net realized gain of
$3,862,049 based on the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the date
of exercise as reported on the Nasdaq National Market. See the table "Aggregated
Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values" for a
summary of Mr. McNealy's option exercises.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     At June 30, 1998, the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Doerr,
Fisher and Oshman. In June 1996, the Company entered into a Limited Partnership
Agreement ("LP Agreement") with KPCB Java Associates L.P., a California limited
partnership, as general partner ("KPCB Java"), and certain other limited
partners (the "Partnership"). Pursuant to the LP Agreement, the Company agreed
to make capital contributions of $16,000,000 in the aggregate to the Partnership
over a period of time in accordance with the terms of the LP Agreement and, in
addition, to pay a management fee to KPCB VIII Associates, L.P., a California
limited partnership and a general partner of KPCB Java ("KPCB VIII"), equal to
$320,000 on an annual basis (the "Management Fee"). Mr. Doerr, a director of the
Company was a member of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1998 and is a general partner of KPCB VIII. Other than the foregoing,
the Company has no interlocking relationships or other transactions involving
any of its Compensation Committee members that are required to be reported by
the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and no current or former officer of
the Company serves on its Compensation Committee.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
                        SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
 
     The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of
the Company as of the Record Date, by each director, by each of the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, and by all directors and
executive officers as a group:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                APPROXIMATE
                                                           NUMBER OF SHARES     PERCENTAGE
                          NAME                            BENEFICIALLY OWNED       OWNED
                          ----                            ------------------    -----------
<S>                                                       <C>                   <C>
Scott G. McNealy(1).....................................       8,527,110           2.23%
Lawrence W. Hambly(2)...................................         486,313           *
Michael E. Lehman(3)....................................          94,943           *
William J. Raduchel(4)..................................          94,024           *
Edward J. Zander(5).....................................         537,258           *
L. John Doerr(6)........................................         369,812           *
Judith L. Estrin(7).....................................          75,000           *
Robert J. Fisher(8).....................................          92,200           *
Robert L. Long(9).......................................          76,692           *
M. Kenneth Oshman(10)...................................         540,400           *
A. Michael Spence(11)...................................          45,500           *
All current directors and executive officers as a group
  (34) persons(12)......................................      12,763,882           3.31%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
  *  Less than 1%.
 
 (1) Includes 1,353,600 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr.
     McNealy exercisable at or within 60 days of the Record Date.
 
 (2) Includes 391,036 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr.
     Hambly exercisable at or within 60 days of the Record Date.
 
 (3) Includes 73,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Lehman
     exercisable at or within 60 days of the Record Date.
 
 (4) Includes 86,024 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr.
     Raduchel exercisable at or within 60 days of the Record Date.
 
 (5) Includes 484,400 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr.
     Zander exercisable at or within 60 days of the Record Date and 1,400 shares
     held by minor children.
 
 (6) Includes 70,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Doerr
     granted pursuant to the Directors' Option Plan and exercisable at or within
     60 days of the Record Date.
 
 (7) Includes 75,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Ms. Estrin
     granted pursuant to the Directors' Option Plan and exercisable at or within
     60 days of the Record Date.
 
 (8) Includes 75,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Fisher
     granted pursuant to the Directors' Option Plan and exercisable at or within
     60 days of the Record Date.
 
 (9) Includes 50,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Long
     granted pursuant to the Directors' Option Plan and exercisable at or within
     60 days of the Record Date.
 
(10) Includes 35,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Oshman
     granted pursuant to the Directors' Option Plan and exercisable at or within
     60 days of the Record Date.
 
(11) Includes 35,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Spence
     granted pursuant to the Directors' Option Plan and exercisable at or within
     60 days of the Record Date.
 
(12) Includes 4,068,020 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by
     directors and executive officers exercisable at or within 60 days of the
     Record Date.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
     The following table shows, as to the Chief Executive Officer and as to each
of the other four most highly compensated executive officers whose salary plus
bonus exceeded $100,000 during the last fiscal year, and information concerning
all compensation paid for services to the Company in all capacities during the
last three fiscal years:
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                              -------------------------------------
                                               ANNUAL COMPENSATION                    AWARDS              PAYOUTS
                                      -------------------------------------   -----------------------    ----------
             (A)               (B)       (C)           (D)           (E)         (F)                                      (I)
                                                                    OTHER     RESTRICTED      (G)           (H)        ALL OTHER
                                                                   ANNUAL       STOCK      SECURITIES       LTIP        COMPEN-
          NAME AND                                                 COMPEN-     AWARD(S)    UNDERLYING     PAYOUTS       SATION
     PRINCIPAL POSITION        YEAR   SALARY($)    BONUS($)(1)    SATION($)   ($)(2)(3)    OPTIONS(#)       ($)         ($)(4)
     ------------------        ----   ---------    -----------    ---------   ----------   ----------    ----------    ---------
<S>                            <C>    <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
Scott G. McNealy.............  1998   $698,846(5)  $  998,760(5)     --               --    400,000      $1,209,608(6)  $3,446
  Chairman of the Board,       1997    650,000(7)   1,916,850(7)     --               --    300,000         386,943(8)   6,000
  President and Chief          1996    600,000(7)   1,698,240(7)     --               --    300,000(9)           --      2,000
  Executive Officer
Lawrence W. Hambly...........  1998    374,654(5)     173,891        --               --     60,000         222,451(6)   5,399
  President, Enterprise        1997    360,000(7)     345,033        --               --     80,000         107,472(8)   6,000
  Services                     1996    350,000(7)     272,426        --               --    100,000(9)           --      3,163
Michael E. Lehman............  1998    496,019        302,185(5)     --               --    100,000         311,424(6)   6,400
  Vice President, Corporate    1997    380,000        364,202(7)     --               --     85,000          60,894(8)   6,000
  Resources and Chief          1996    320,000        249,075        --               --    140,000(9)           --      4,554
  Financial Officer
William J. Raduchel..........  1998    391,288        229,480        --               --     75,000         278,063(6)   6,400
  Chief Strategy Officer       1997    370,000        354,617        --               --     75,000          71,648(8)   6,000
                               1996    350,000        272,426        --               --    110,000(9)           --      4,231
Edward J. Zander.............  1998    665,192        522,467(5)     --       $1,020,296    200,000         333,676(6)   6,400
  Chief Operating Officer      1997    550,000        527,134        --               --    130,000         179,120(8)   6,000
                               1996    450,000        350,262        --               --    200,000(9)           --      3,153
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Amounts stated include bonus amounts earned in fiscal 1998 by the executive
    officers and paid in fiscal 1999. See also footnotes (5), (7) and (8) below.
 
(2) The value of a restricted stock award is determined by (i) multiplying the
    number of shares subject to such award by the closing price of the Company's
    Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on the date of grant
    of such award and (ii) subtracting any consideration paid.
 
(3) As of June 30, 1998, 1,646,240 shares of the Company's restricted Common
    Stock were outstanding, having an aggregate value of $71,508,550. As of June
    30, 1998, Mr. Lehman held 10,000 shares of restricted Common Stock having an
    aggregate value of $434,368, which shares are subject to the Company's
    Repurchase Option, which expires as to all of such shares on February 16,
    1999. As of June 30, 1998, Mr. Zander held 45,000 shares of restricted
    Common Stock having an aggregate value of $1,954,657, which shares are
    subject to the Company's Repurchase Option, which expires as to 20,000 of
    such shares on February 16, 1999, as to 12,500 of such shares on July 12,
    2000 and as to the remaining 12,500 shares on January 12, 2003. For purposes
    hereof, the aggregate value of shares of restricted Common Stock held by an
    executive officer is calculated based on the closing price of the Company's
    Common Stock as reported on June 30, 1998 on the Nasdaq National Market,
    less any consideration paid. Additionally, for purposes hereof, the
    Company's "Repurchase Option," referenced above, refers to the option of the
    Company to repurchase such shares of the restricted Common Stock at the
    original purchase price paid by the executive officer upon termination of
    such officer's employment prior to the applicable vesting dates. All of the
    above executive officers will receive the same dividends on all shares of
    restricted Common Stock as received by all other stockholders of the
    Company; however, the Company has never paid and does not currently
    anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
(4) Amounts stated reflect contributions made by the Company to such executive
    officer's account under the Company's 401(k) Plan.
 
(5) Mr. McNealy elected to defer 50% of his salary from July 1997 through
    December 1997, 80% of his salary from January 1998 through June 1998 and
    100% of his FY'98 bonus until he retires, as defined in the Company's
    Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan; Mr. Hambly elected to defer 28% of
    his salary from July 1997 through December 1997 and $62,504 of his salary
    from January 1998 through June 1998 until he retires, as defined in the
    Company's Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan; Mr. Lehman elected to
    defer $50,000 of his FY'98 bonus until he retires, as defined in the
    Company's Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan; Mr. Zander elected to
    defer 100% of FY'98 bonus until January 2007. For a description of the
    Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, see "Report of Compensation
    Committee of the Board on Executive Compensation -- Long-Term Incentives --
    Deferred Compensation Plan."
 
(6) This dollar amount reflects the amount earned by such executive officer in
    connection with the vesting of certain Book Value Units ("BVUs") granted to
    the officer under the 1990 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. These BVUs were
    granted in December 1990, became fully vested on July 1, 1998 and are
    payable in cash only. The BVUs accrue value based on the Company's reported
    fiscal year end earnings per share amounts. The amount listed is the current
    value attributable to the fully-vested BVUs on the Record Date. These BVUs
    continue to accrue value until exercised. An executive officer may exercise
    all or a portion of his or her BVUs until the end of the permitted exercise
    period, which is August 31, 2000. The executive officers are under no
    obligation to exercise the units immediately, however, any units not
    exercised by August 31, 2000 will be automatically paid.
 
(7) Mr. McNealy elected to defer 50% of his FY'97 salary until he retires, 100%
    of his FY'97 bonus until he retires, 50% of his salary from January 1996
    through June 1996 until he retires and 100% of his FY'96 bonus until January
    1999; Mr. Hambly elected to defer 28% of his FY'97 salary and 28% of his
    salary from January 1996 through June 1996 until he retires, as defined in
    the Company's Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan; Mr. Lehman elected
    to defer $40,000 of his FY'96 bonus until he retires. For a description of
    the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, see "Report of Compensation
    Committee of the Board on Executive Compensation -- Long-Term
    Incentives -- Deferred Compensation Plan."
 
(8) Amount stated reflects the earned payment of certain "EPS Growth Awards"
    granted in November 1991 by the Company to certain key employees, including
    executive officers. These EPS Growth Awards were payable in cash only and
    were valued based on the Company achieving certain financial results over
    the course of two performance periods (the two and one-half year period that
    began on the date of grant and ended June 30, 1994 and the three-year period
    thereafter which ended June 30, 1997), and were paid on September 12, 1997.
 
(9) Options were awarded on July 17, 1996 and relate to performance of executive
    officers during FY'96.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding grants of
stock options made during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 to the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table:
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                               INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           (A)                                                 (D)            (E)
                                (B)            (C)                                       POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
                             NUMBER OF      % OF TOTAL                                    AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
                            SECURITIES       OPTIONS                                    OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
                            UNDERLYING      GRANTED TO                                      FOR OPTION TERM (1)
                              OPTIONS      EMPLOYEES IN   EXERCISE PRICE   EXPIRATION   ----------------------------
          NAME             GRANTED(#)(2)   FISCAL YEAR     ($/SH)(3)(4)       DATE         5% ($)         10% ($)
          ----             -------------   ------------   --------------   ----------   ------------    ------------
<S>                        <C>             <C>            <C>              <C>          <C>             <C>
Scott G. McNealy.........     400,000         2.9%            $43.63        6/17/08     $10,974,147     $27,810,762
Lawrence W. Hambly.......      60,000          0.4             43.63        6/17/08       1,646,122       4,171,614
Michael E. Lehman........     100,000          0.7             40.81        1/12/08       2,566,661       6,504,451
William J. Raduchel......      75,000          0.5             40.81        1/12/08       1,924,995       4,878,338
Edward J. Zander.........     200,000          1.4             40.81        1/12/08       5,133,322      13,008,902
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Potential realizable value is based on the assumption that the Common Stock
    of the Company appreciates at the annual rate shown (compounded annually)
    from the date of grant until the expiration of the option term. These
    numbers are calculated based on the requirements promulgated by the
    Securities and Exchange Commission and do not represent an estimate by the
    Company of future stock price growth.
 
(2) All stock options granted have ten year terms and become exercisable with
    respect to 20% of the shares covered thereby beginning one year after the
    date of grant and 20% on each anniversary date thereafter, with full vesting
    occurring on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant. See also
    "Employment Contracts and Change-In-Control Agreements."
 
(3) The exercise price and tax withholding obligations may be paid in cash and,
    subject to certain conditions or restrictions, by delivery of already owned
    shares, pursuant to a subscription agreement or pursuant to a cashless
    exercise procedure under which the optionee provides irrevocable
    instructions to a brokerage firm to sell the purchased shares and to remit
    to the Company, out of the sale proceeds, an amount equal to the exercise
    price plus all applicable withholding taxes.
 
(4) Options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of
    the Company's Common Stock, as determined by reference to the closing price
    reported on the Nasdaq National Market on the date of grant.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
 
     The following table sets forth for each of the executive officers named in
the Summary Compensation Table above, certain information regarding the exercise
of stock options during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 and the value of
options held at fiscal year-end:
 
                AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                       AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            (A)                     (B)              (C)                    (D)                         (E)
                                                                         NUMBER OF
                                                                        SECURITIES                   VALUE OF
                                                                        UNDERLYING                  UNEXERCISED
                                                                        UNEXERCISED                IN-THE-MONEY
                                                                        OPTIONS AT                  OPTIONS AT
                              SHARES ACQUIRED       VALUE           FISCAL YEAR-END(#)         FISCAL YEAR-END($)(1)
            NAME              ON EXERCISE(#)    REALIZED($)(1)   EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
            ----              ---------------   --------------   -------------------------   -------------------------
<S>                           <C>               <C>              <C>                         <C>
Scott G. McNealy............     1,200,000       $45,107,070        1,133,600/1,330,000       $38,921,410/$22,728,145
Lawrence W. Hambly..........             0                 0           307,036/ 383,000        10,521,168/  8,520,694
Michael E. Lehman...........       127,420         4,485,128            37,000/ 448,000           932,750/  8,986,382
William J. Raduchel.........       119,000         4,665,093            76,024/ 422,000         2,048,712/  9,523,195
Edward J. Zander............        80,000         3,316,254           411,260/ 735,200        13,664,035/ 14,233,912
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Market value of underlying securities at exercise date or fiscal year end,
    as the case may be, minus the exercise price.
 
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
     The Company currently has no employment contracts with any of the Company's
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table above. The Company
did, however, adopt an executive management group change-of-control plan in
October 1990 and, accordingly, has entered into "change-of-control" agreements
with each of the named executive officers. Certain immaterial changes were made
to these agreements in November 1996. Pursuant to these agreements, each such
officer is eligible to receive, in the event that his or her employment is
terminated within one year following a change-of-control of the Company, other
than for just cause (as defined), death, disability (as defined), retirement or
resignation other than for good reason (as defined), an amount equal to two and
one-half times his or her annual compensation (or, in the case of Mr. McNealy,
an amount equal to three times his annual compensation), continuation of health
benefits and group term life insurance for twenty-four months thereafter and the
acceleration of vesting for all options held. For purposes hereof, "annual
compensation" means wages, salary and incentive compensation for the calendar
year immediately preceding the year in which the above-described severance
payment becomes payable. In addition, pursuant to the terms of these agreements,
a "change-of-control" includes (i) a merger or acquisition of the Company
resulting in a 50% or greater change in the total voting power of the Company
immediately following such transaction, or (ii) certain changes in the majority
composition of the Board of Directors during a thirty-six month period, not
initiated by the Board of Directors. Additionally, under the Company's
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, in the event of a participant's death
(except in certain circumstances), a participant's beneficiaries are entitled to
receive an amount equal to the participant's account balance plus two times the
amount of compensation the participant deferred under the plan. See "Report of
Compensation Committee of the Board on Executive Compensation" for a description
of the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.
 
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT
 
     In October 1996, Alan Baratz, a corporate executive officer of the Company,
received a loan from the Company in the amount of $500,000, bearing interest at
a rate of 6.72% per annum, with principal and interest payable in full in
October 2001. This loan was made to Mr. Baratz to finance the purchase of his
residence. As of fiscal year end, the entire $500,000 principal amount remained
outstanding.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
     As part of the executive management group change-of-control plan adopted in
October 1990, the Company entered into individual change-of-control agreements
with each of its corporate executive officers, in addition to the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, containing substantially the
same terms as the change-of-control agreements described under the heading
"Employment Contracts and Change-In-Control Arrangements."
 
     The Company also adopted the Executive Change of Control Severance Plan
("Severance Plan") in June 1990. This Severance Plan was amended in November
1996, renamed the Vice President Change of Control Plan and currently covers all
employees who are Vice Presidents of the Company (and are not otherwise covered
above). The Severance Plan provides that in the event that any such individual
is terminated within one year after the date of any "change-of-control," other
than for just cause (as defined), death, voluntary retirement at or after age
65, total or permanent disability or voluntary resignation, such individual is
entitled to two times his or her annual compensation, continuation of health
benefits, group term life insurance for twenty-four months and the acceleration
of vesting for all options held. For purposes of this Severance Plan, a
"change-of-control" is defined similarly as described under the heading
"Employment Contracts and Change-In-Control Arrangements."
 
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f)), directors, and persons who own more than
ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to file
reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"). Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its
review of the copies of such forms received by it and written representations
from certain reporting persons that they have complied with the relevant filing
requirements, the Company believes that all filing requirements applicable to
its officers, directors and 10% stockholders were complied with during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, except that Chester J. Silvestri, a former
officer of the Company, filed one Form 4 after the applicable deadline.
 
                        REPORT OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
                     OF THE BOARD ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following is the Report of the Compensation Committee of the Company,
describing the compensation policies and rationale applicable to the Company's
executive officers with respect to compensation paid to such executive officers
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998. The information contained in the report
shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the
Securities and Exchange Commission nor shall such information be incorporated by
reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that
the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.
 
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
 
     The Company's philosophy in setting its compensation policies for executive
officers is to maximize stockholder value over time. The Compensation Committee
(the "Committee") sets the Company's compensation policies applicable to the
executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, and evaluates the
performance of such officers. The Committee strongly believes that executive
compensation should be directly linked to continuous improvements in corporate
performance and increases in stockholder value. In this regard, the Committee
has adopted the following guidelines for compensation decisions:
 
     - Provide a competitive total compensation package that enables the Company
       to attract and retain key executive talent.
 
     - Align all pay programs with the Company's annual and long-term business
       strategies and objectives.
 
     - Provide variable compensation opportunities that are directly linked to
       the performance of the Company and that link executive reward to
       stockholder return.
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
     The Committee has also determined that it would be in the best interests of
stockholders to establish certain stock ownership guidelines for its executive
officers (as well as for the members of the Board of Directors and certain other
individuals to be determined by the Committee). These guidelines would provide
that all of the covered individuals would be required to hold a certain number
of shares of the Company's Common Stock over a period of time. The exact details
of these guidelines (including the required share amounts) are currently being
determined by the Committee and will be finalized and instituted in the second
quarter of fiscal 1999.
 
COMPONENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The Compensation Committee focuses primarily on the following three
components in forming the total compensation package for its executive officers:
 
     - Base Salary
 
     - Annual Incentive Bonus
 
     - Long-Term Incentives
 
BASE SALARY
 
     The Committee intends to compensate its executive officers, including the
Chief Executive Officer, competitively within the industry. In order to evaluate
the Company's competitive posture in the industry, the Compensation Committee
reviews and analyzes the compensation packages, including base salary levels,
offered by other high technology companies, specifically reviewing companies
comprising the S&P Computers (Hardware) Index as shown in the Performance Graph
below. In addition, the Committee, together with the Board of Directors, will
also subjectively evaluate the level of performance of each executive officer,
including Mr. McNealy, in order to determine current and future appropriate base
pay levels. In prior years, for the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee
targeted the lower-end of the base salary range determined by its aforementioned
competitive analysis, giving more significant emphasis to annual bonus and
longer-term incentives for Mr. McNealy's total compensation package. In this
regard, over the last three fiscal years, the Committee has tied a substantial
portion of Mr. McNealy's compensation to his annual bonus. This focus has
allowed the Committee to directly compensate Mr. McNealy for corporate
performance, while ultimately paying Mr. McNealy competitively by industry
standards. For fiscal year 1999, the Committee has determined to substantially
change the composition of the Chief Executive Officer's total compensation
package to weigh far more heavily toward bonus compensation tied to corporate
performance and to give more emphasis to longer-term incentives such as option
grants. See "Annual Incentive Bonus" below. With respect to the other corporate
executive officers of the Company, the Committee has targeted the higher end of
the industry competitive base salary range, linking a lesser (yet still
significant) portion of these executives' total compensation to an annual bonus.
See "Annual Incentive Bonus" below. The Committee also emphasizes longer-term
compensation incentives for these executives as it believes that these
longer-term incentives help motivate the executives to better achieve the
Company's corporate performance goals, thereby more directly contributing to
stockholder value.
 
ANNUAL INCENTIVE BONUS
 
     During fiscal 1998, the executive officers of the Company were eligible for
a target annual incentive bonus, calculated by the Committee as a percentage of
the officers' base salary, under the terms of the Company's Section 162(m)
Executive Officer Performance-Based Bonus Plan (the "Section 162(m) Plan"). All
corporate executive officers, other than Mr. McNealy, were eligible for a target
bonus of 65% of their base salary. Mr. McNealy was eligible for a target bonus
of 200% of his base salary. In January 1998, the Company reorganized its
executive officers forming an Executive Committee consisting of Messrs. McNealy,
Zander, Lehman and Raduchel. Mr. Zander was promoted to Chief Operating Officer
of the Company, Mr. Lehman was promoted to Vice President, Corporate Resources
and Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Raduchel was promoted to Chief Strategy
Officer. In connection with the promotions of Messrs. Zander, Lehman and
Raduchel, the Company set up an additional bonus pool for these individuals,
supplemental to the bonuses
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
paid under the Section 162(m) Plan. Pursuant to this supplemental bonus pool,
Mr. Zander became eligible for an additional target bonus of 85% of his base
salary, while each of Messrs. Lehman and Raduchel became eligible for an
additional target bonus of 35% of his base salary. The performance criteria
established for this supplemental bonus pool was substantially similar to the
performance criteria established under the Section 162(m) Plan as described
below. During the last fiscal year, bonuses awarded under the Section 162(m)
Plan to the executive officers, including Mr. McNealy, were calculated based on
the achievement by the Company of certain earnings per share ("EPS") and revenue
goals and certain corporate performance goals based on business, operations and
management objectives and, additionally, certain customer quality and
satisfaction goals set by the Committee at the beginning of the fiscal year. The
successful completion of these goals was measured objectively in accordance with
a scoring system assigned to each goal by the Committee. The EPS and revenue
targets, as well as the corporate performance goals and the customer quality and
satisfaction goals are all based on confidential information and are
competitively sensitive to the Company as they are derived from the Company's
internal projections and business plan. At fiscal year end, the Committee
calculated a bonus multiplier (the "Year-End Multiplier") based on a comparison
of the Company's actual performance with respect to these corporate, quality,
EPS and revenue measures against the relevant targets for fiscal 1998. This
multiplier can range from zero to a maximum multiplier of two. At June 30, 1998,
the Committee calculated a Year-End Multiplier applicable to executive officers
(including the Chief Executive Officer) of .7134. Therefore, Mr. McNealy's
annual bonus of $998,760 reflects his targeted bonus amount multiplied by the
Year-End Multiplier. Elements of the Company's financial performance for the
fiscal year ended 1998 that directly affected Mr. McNealy's bonus calculation
(as well as the bonus calculation for the other officers) included revenue
growth of 14% compared with the fiscal year ended 1997, and earnings per share
of $2.30 for fiscal year 1998 compared with $1.89 for the previous fiscal year
(exclusive of one time items reported for fiscal years 1997 and 1998).
 
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
 
     OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK. The Committee provides the Company's
executive officers with long-term incentive compensation through grants of stock
options and, in rare cases, restricted stock. The Committee is responsible for
determining the individuals to whom grants should be made, the timing of grants,
the exercise price per share and the number of shares subject to each option or
restricted stock award. Other than stock options and restricted stock, as
discussed below, the Committee made no other long-term performance awards during
the last fiscal year. Long-term incentive awards are granted based on individual
or corporate performance as determined subjectively by the Committee. The
Committee considers grants of options to executive officers during each fiscal
year.
 
     The Committee believes that stock options provide the Company's executive
officers with the opportunity to purchase and maintain an equity interest in the
Company and to share in the appreciation of the value of the stock. The
Committee believes that stock options directly motivate an executive to maximize
long-term stockholder value. The options also utilize vesting periods in order
to encourage key employees to continue in the employ of the Company. All options
to executive officers to date have been granted at the fair market value of the
Company's Common Stock on the date of the grant. The Committee considers the
grant of each option subjectively, considering factors such as the individual
performance of executive officers and competitive compensation packages in the
industry. Mr. McNealy's option grants are also determined subjectively by the
Committee.
 
     The Committee also makes restricted stock awards which can be similarly
beneficial to executives as the value of the award increases with an increasing
stock price. The use of restricted stock has been primarily limited within the
last several fiscal years to specific cases in which a newly hired senior
executive receives a grant in order to replace vested benefits and/or an equity
position at a prior employer, to award an executive officer for extraordinary
performance or to aid in retention. During the last fiscal year, the Committee
granted to Mr. Zander 25,000 shares of restricted stock at a purchase price of
$0.00067 per share in connection with his promotion to Chief Operating Officer
of the Company. For information regarding the valuation and vesting of this
restricted stock award, see "Summary Compensation Table."
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
     DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN. In June 1995, the Committee approved another
component of the Company's executive compensation program, the Non-Qualified
Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Deferred Plan"). The Committee last amended the
Deferred Plan on July 1, 1998. The Deferred Plan is a voluntary, non-tax
qualified, deferred compensation plan available to Board of Director members,
executive officers and other members of Company management, and enables such
individuals to save for retirement by deferring a portion of their current
compensation. Under the Deferred Plan, participants are entitled to defer
compensation until termination of service with the Company or other specified
dates. Participants may elect to have their deferred amounts credited with
earnings based on various investment choices made available by the Committee for
this purpose. Participants' dependents are also eligible to receive a
pre-retirement death benefit. The purpose of this Deferred Plan is to encourage
participants to remain in the service of the Company as benefits of the Deferred
Plan increase over time.
 
DISCUSSION OF COMPENSATION IN EXCESS OF $1 MILLION PER YEAR
 
     The Committee has considered the implications of Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, enacted under the Revenue
Reconciliation Act of 1993. This Section precludes a public corporation from
taking a tax deduction for individual compensation in excess of $1 million for
its Chief Executive Officer or any of its four other highest-paid officers. This
Section also provides for certain exemptions to this limitation, specifically
compensation that is performance based within the meaning of Section 162(m).
 
     In order to qualify compensation derived by executive officers from stock
options as performance-based compensation, as contemplated by the Internal
Revenue Service, certain amendments to the 1990 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan
were submitted to and approved by the requisite stockholders at the Company's
1994 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
     Additionally, with respect to other forms of compensation granted by this
Committee to such executive officers, the Committee approved the Section 162(m)
Performance-Based Executive Bonus Plan and submitted this Plan to stockholders
for the purpose of qualifying bonus payments to executives under Section 162(m),
thereby preserving the deductibility of such payments. Stockholder approval of
this Plan was obtained at the Company's 1995 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The
Committee, however, reserves the right to award compensation to its executives
in the future that may not qualify under Section 162(m) as deductible
compensation. The Committee will, however, continue to consider all elements of
the cost to the Company of providing such compensation, including the potential
impact of Section 162(m).
 
SUMMARY
 
     The Compensation Committee believes that its executive compensation
philosophy of paying its executive officers well by means of competitive base
salaries and annual bonus and long-term incentives, as described in this report,
serves the interests of the Company and the Company's stockholders.
 
L. JOHN DOERR
ROBERT J. FISHER
M. KENNETH OSHMAN
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
                               PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
     Set forth below is a line graph comparing the annual percentage change in
the cumulative return to the stockholders of the Company's Common Stock with the
cumulative return of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Computers (Hardware) Index
for the period commencing June 30, 1993 and ending on June 30, 1998. The
information contained in the performance graph shall not be deemed "soliciting
material" or to be "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor
shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under
the Securities Act or Exchange Act, as amended, except to the extent that the
Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing. The stock
price performance on the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future
stock price performance.
 
                 COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
               AMONG SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC., THE S & P 500 INDEX
                    AND THE S & P COMPUTERS (HARDWARE) INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  S & P
                                           SUN                                  COMPUTERS
                                      MICROSYSTEMS          S & P 500          (HARDWARE)
<S>                                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
6/93                                     100.00              100.00              100.00
6/94                                      69.62              101.41              107.21
6/95                                     163.71              127.84              178.05
6/96                                     397.47              161.09              199.92
6/97                                     502.53              216.99              305.20
6/98                                     586.50              282.43              428.61
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* $100 invested on 6/30/93 in stock or index including reinvestment of
  dividends. Fiscal year endings shown above on June 30.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
                                  PROPOSAL II
               AMENDMENT TO 1990 LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
 
GENERAL
 
     At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders are being asked to approve an
amendment to the Company's 1990 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan ("1990 Incentive
Plan") in order to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance
thereunder by 18,000,000 shares of Common Stock to an aggregate of 119,400,000
shares. The 1990 Incentive Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on October
16, 1990, approved by the stockholders on December 13, 1990 and a total of
39,600,000 shares were reserved for issuance thereunder. On November 2, 1994,
the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 1990 Incentive Plan was
increased to 53,000,000 shares at the 1994 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. On
November 1, 1995, the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 1990
Incentive Plan was increased to 101,400,000 shares at the 1995 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
 
     As of the Record Date, 22,363,675 shares of Common Stock were available for
issuance under the 1990 Incentive Plan (exclusive of the increase in shares
subject to stockholder approval at this Annual Meeting). Options to purchase
49,959,983 shares were outstanding and 27,592,042 shares of Common Stock had
been issued upon the exercise of options granted under the 1990 Incentive Plan
at an average exercise price per share of $23.11. Additionally, as of the Record
Date, 1,484,300 restricted shares of Common Stock have been issued and sold
("Stock Purchase Rights"), at purchase prices of $0.00067 or $0.01 per share, of
which 681,821 shares were subject to the Company's repurchase option.
 
     The 1990 Incentive Plan authorizes the Board of Directors, or its
committee, to grant incentive and nonstatutory stock options as well as Stock
Purchase Rights, stock appreciation rights (in connection with options) and
long-term performance awards. The provisions of these options, rights and awards
are outlined below. The 1990 Incentive Plan is structured to allow the Board of
Directors or its committee broad discretion in creating employee equity
incentives in order to assist the Company in attracting, retaining and
motivating the best available talent for the successful conduct of its business.
The Board of Directors believes the remaining shares under the 1990 Incentive
Plan are insufficient to accomplish these purposes. Therefore, the Board is
proposing the increase to the shares reserved under the 1990 Incentive Plan
discussed herein.
 
SUMMARY OF THE 1990 INCENTIVE PLAN
 
     The essential features of the 1990 Incentive Plan are outlined below.
 
  Purpose
 
     The purpose of the 1990 Incentive Plan is to provide an additional
incentive to eligible employees and consultants whose present and potential
contributions are important to the continued success of the Company, to afford
them an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and to
enable the Company to enlist and retain in its employ the best available talent
for the successful conduct of its business.
 
  Eligibility
 
     Officers, consultants and other employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates whom the Board deems to have the potential to
contribute to the future success of the Company shall be eligible to receive
awards under the 1990 Incentive Plan. As of the Record Date, there were
approximately 24,700 employees and 2,500 consultants eligible to receive awards
under the 1990 Incentive Plan.
 
  Administration
 
     The 1990 Incentive Plan is administered by the Board of Directors or a
committee appointed by the Board (for the purposes of this plan description,
"Board" shall mean either the Board or a committee appointed by the Board). All
questions of interpretation or application of the 1990 Incentive Plan are
determined in the sole discretion of the Board or its committee, and its
decisions are final and binding upon all
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
participants. Members of the Board who are eligible employees are permitted to
participate in the 1990 Incentive Plan, but may not vote on any matter affecting
the administration of the 1990 Incentive Plan or the grant of any option or
other award pursuant to the 1990 Incentive Plan. No member of the Board who is
eligible to participate in the 1990 Incentive Plan may be a member of the
committee appointed to administer the 1990 Incentive Plan. Members of the Board
receive no additional compensation for their services in connection with the
administration of the 1990 Incentive Plan, other than the Chairman of the
Compensation Committee, who is entitled to receive $1,500 for each meeting of
such committee that he or she attends. See "Election of Directors -- Director
Compensation."
 
  Stock Options
 
     The 1990 Incentive Plan permits the granting of non-transferable stock
options that either are intended to qualify as ISOs or are not intended to so
qualify as NSOs.
 
     Except for NSOs granted by the Board under the Company's Special Reserve
(as defined below), the option exercise price for each share covered by an
option must be equal to or greater than the fair market value of a share of
Common Stock on the date of grant of such option. However, a NSO granted by the
Board to an employee in lieu of reasonable salary or compensation may be granted
at an exercise price less than the fair market value of the Company's Common
Stock on the date of grant (but no less than 85% of such fair market value).
Provided, further, that in the case of an ISO, the price shall be in no event
less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock at the time
such option is granted.
 
     In August 1995, the Board established a number of shares equal to 3% of the
total number of shares reserved for issuance under the 1990 Incentive Plan at
any one time (such number to include all increases approved by the stockholders
subsequent to such date) which may be granted free of the specific restrictions
referenced herein (the "Special Reserve"). Therefore, notwithstanding the
paragraph above, the Board may grant NSOs at exercise prices less than the fair
market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant (without
limitation) subject to the Company's Special Reserve.
 
     The term of each option will be fixed by the Board but may not exceed ten
years from the date of grant in the case of ISOs. The Board will determine the
time or times each option may be exercised. Options may be made exercisable in
installments, and the exercisability of options may be accelerated by the Board.
 
     The exercise price of options granted under the 1990 Incentive Plan,
including applicable withholding, must be paid in full by cash, check,
promissory note, Common Stock with a fair market value on the exercise date
equal to the aggregate exercise price of the options or delivery of an
irrevocable subscription agreement. The Board has authorized as payment the
delivery of a properly executed exercise notice and irrevocable instructions to
a broker to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds
required to pay the exercise price. The Board may also authorize payment by any
combination of the foregoing methods.
 
     Under the 1990 Incentive Plan, in the event of termination of an optionee's
employment or consultancy for any reason, including retirement, an option may
thereafter be exercised (to the extent it was exercisable on the date of
termination or as otherwise set forth in the terms of the option) within such
time period as is determined by the Board (which shall be no more than 90 days
in the case of an ISO), subject to the stated term of the option. If the Board
has determined that an employee was discharged for just cause, such employee
shall have no further rights under the 1990 Incentive Plan. If an optionee's
employment or consultancy is terminated by reason of the optionee's death, the
option will be exercisable for such period following death as is determined by
the Board subject to the stated term of the option.
 
     The granting of stock options under the 1990 Incentive Plan by the Board is
subjective and is dependent upon, among other things, an employee's individual
performance. See "Participation in the 1990 Incentive Plan." Therefore, future
option grants to executive officers or employees under the 1990 Incentive Plan
are not determinable. The 1990 Incentive Plan does however limit the number of
shares subject to an option that may be granted to any employee in any one
fiscal year to 600,000 shares, except with respect to a newly hired employee who
may also receive a one-time grant of up to 800,000 shares upon acceptance of
employment with the Company.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
  Stock Appreciation Rights
 
     The Board may also grant non-transferable Stock Appreciation Rights
("SARs") in conjunction with related options, entitling the holder upon exercise
to receive an amount in any combination of cash or Common Stock (as determined
by the Board) equal in value to the excess of the fair market value of the
shares covered by such SAR on the date of exercise over the aggregate exercise
price of the related option for such shares. The exercise of a SAR will result
in cancellation of the related option or, conversely the exercise of the related
option will result in cancellation of the SAR. No SARs had been granted under
the 1990 Incentive Plan as of the Record Date.
 
  Stock Purchase Rights
 
     The Board may grant participants Stock Purchase Rights to purchase stock
either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards under the 1990
Incentive Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the 1990 Incentive Plan (at a
price of not more than $0.00067 per share, the par value of the Company's Common
Stock, in the case of participants who are subject to Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act) for limited periods of up to 60 days under such terms, conditions
and restrictions as the Board may apply. Other than Stock Purchase Rights
granted under the Special Reserve, the stock so purchased will be subject to the
Company's repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary
termination of employment of the employee. The repurchase option applicable to
shares of stock so granted (other than shares granted under the Special Reserve)
shall lapse as to not more than 50% of the shares subject to the Stock Purchase
Right on a date not earlier than 2 1/2 years from the date of grant and as to
the remaining shares on a date not earlier than 5 years from the date of grant.
Stock Purchase Rights granted from the Special Reserve shall be subject to such
vesting restrictions as determined in the discretion of the Board.
 
     The granting of Stock Purchase Rights under the 1990 Incentive Plan by the
Board is subjective and is tied to an employee's individual performance. Such
rights are most commonly granted to new key employees and, less frequently, to
executive officers to reward extraordinary performance or to aid in retention.
See "Report of Compensation Committee of the Board on Executive Compensation."
Therefore, future grants of Stock Purchase Rights to any employee under the 1990
Incentive Plan are not determinable.
 
  Long-Term Performance Awards
 
     The Board may also grant long-term performance awards under the 1990
Incentive Plan ("Long-Term Performance Awards") either alone or in tandem with
other awards granted under the 1990 Incentive Plan and/or awards made outside of
the 1990 Incentive Plan. Such awards are bonus awards that shall be payable in
cash or Common Stock and shall be based on the Company, subsidiary and/or
individual performance factors or upon such other criteria as the Board may deem
appropriate. Performance factors may vary from participant to participant, group
to group, and period to period.
 
     No Long-Term Performance Awards were granted to any employee during the
last fiscal year.
 
  Deferrals Under the Plan
 
     The Board may also permit participants to elect to defer receipt of
benefits under the 1990 Incentive Plan or make automatic deferrals. The Board
may also provide and determine the amount of any deemed earnings for amounts
deferred under the 1990 Incentive Plan.
 
  Adjustments for Stock Dividends, Mergers and Other Events
 
     The Board is authorized to make appropriate adjustments in connection with
outstanding awards under the 1990 Incentive Plan to reflect stock dividends,
stock splits and similar events. In the event of a merger, liquidation or
similar event, the Board in its discretion may provide for substitution or
adjustment in, or may accelerate or adjust such awards.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
  Amendment and Termination
 
     The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the 1990 Incentive Plan at any
time, but such amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall not adversely
affect any stock options, SARs, Stock Purchase Rights, or Long-Term Performance
Awards then outstanding under the 1990 Incentive Plan, without the participant's
consent. Subject to the specific terms of the 1990 Incentive Plan described
above, the Board may accelerate any award or option or waive any conditions or
restrictions pertaining to such award or option at any time.
 
     In addition, to the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act or Section 422A of the Code (or any other applicable law or
regulation), the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any 1990 Incentive
Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as is required.
 
              CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION
 
     The following is only a brief summary of the effect of federal income
taxation upon the recipient and the Company under the 1990 Incentive Plan based
upon the Code. This summary does not purport to be complete and does not discuss
the income tax laws of any municipality, state or country outside of the United
States in which an optionee may reside.
 
  Stock Options
 
     If an option granted under the 1990 Incentive Plan is an ISO, the optionee
will recognize no income upon grant of the ISO and will incur no tax liability
due to the exercise unless the optionee is subject to the alternative minimum
tax. The Company will not be allowed a deduction for federal income tax purposes
as a result of the exercise of an ISO regardless of the applicability of the
alternative minimum tax. Upon the sale or exchange of the shares at least two
years after grant of the ISO and one year after exercise by the optionee, any
gain (or loss) will be treated as long-term capital gain (or loss). If these
holding periods are not satisfied, the optionee will recognize ordinary income
equal to the difference between the exercise price and the lower of the fair
market value of the stock at the date of the option exercise or the sale price
of the stock. A different rule for measuring ordinary income upon such premature
disposition may apply if the optionee is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange
Act. The Company will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount as the
ordinary income recognized by the optionee. Any gain (or loss) recognized on
such a premature disposition of the shares in excess of the amount treated as
ordinary income will be characterized as capital gain (or loss).
 
     All options that do not qualify as ISOs are taxed as NSOs. An optionee will
not recognize any taxable income at the time he or she is granted a NSO.
However, upon the exercise of a NSO, the optionee will recognize ordinary income
measured by the excess of the then fair market value of the shares over the
option price. In certain circumstances, where the shares are subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture when acquired or where the optionee is subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the date of taxation may be deferred unless the
optionee files an election with the Internal Revenue Service under Section 83(b)
of the Code. The income recognized by an optionee who is also an employee of the
Company will be subject to tax withholding by the Company by payment in cash or
out of the current earnings paid to the optionee. Upon resale of such shares by
the optionee, any difference between the sales price and the exercise price, to
the extent not recognized as ordinary income as provided above, will be treated
as capital gain (or loss). The Company will be entitled to a tax deduction in
the same amount as the ordinary income recognized by the optionee with respect
to shares acquired upon exercise of a NSO.
 
  Stock Appreciation Rights
 
     A recipient will not recognize any taxable income in connection with the
grant of a SAR in connection with a stock option. On exercise of a SAR, the
recipient will generally recognize ordinary income in the year of exercise in an
amount equal to the difference between the exercise price (if any) of the SAR
and the fair market value of the SAR (computed with reference to the Common
Stock of the Company) at the time of exercise. If the recipient is an employee,
such amount will be subject to withholding by the Company. As a
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
general rule, the Company will be entitled to a tax deduction in the amount and
at the time the recipient recognizes ordinary income with respect to the SAR.
 
     If the recipient receives shares of Common Stock of the Company upon
exercise of a SAR, the tax consequences on purchase and sale of such shares will
be the same as those discussed above for NSOs.
 
  Stock Purchase Rights
 
     Stock Purchase Rights will generally be subject to the tax consequences
discussed above for NSOs.
 
  Long-Term Performance Awards
 
     A recipient generally will not recognize any taxable income in connection
with the grant of a Long-Term Performance Award. At the time the performance
award vests (unless a Section 83(b) election is timely filed at the time of
grant), the recipient will generally recognize ordinary income in an amount
equal to the fair market value of the award (computed with reference to the
Common Stock of the Company) at the time of vesting. The recipient will be
subject to the tax consequences discussed above for NSOs. If the recipient is an
employee, any amount included in income will be subject to withholding by the
Company. As a general rule, the Company will be entitled to a tax deduction in
the amount and at the time the recipient recognizes ordinary income with respect
to the Long-Term Performance Award included as ordinary income by the recipient.
 
  Capital Gains
 
     Capital gains are grouped and netted by holding periods. Net capital gains
on assets held for twelve months or less is currently taxed at the individual's
highest federal ordinary income tax rate. Net capital gains on assets held for
more than 12 months is currently taxed at a maximum federal rate of 20%. Capital
losses are allowed in full against capital gains and up to $3,000 against other
income.
 
  Participation in the 1990 Incentive Plan
 
     The grant of options, SARs, Stock Purchase Rights, stock bonus awards and
Long-Term Performance Awards under the 1990 Incentive Plan to employees,
including the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (the
"Named Officers"), is subject to the discretion of the Board. As of the date of
this proxy statement, there has been no determination by the Board with respect
to future awards under the 1990 Incentive Plan. Accordingly, future awards are
not determinable. Non-employee directors are not eligible to participate in the
1990 Incentive Plan. No SARs, stock bonus awards or Long-Term Performance Awards
were granted during the last fiscal year. Of the Named Officers, only Mr. Zander
was granted Stock Purchase Rights during the last fiscal year and he received
25,000 shares of restricted stock at an exercise price of $0.00067 per share.
During the last fiscal year, all current executive officers as a group were
granted Stock Purchase Rights under the 1990 Incentive Plan to purchase an
aggregate of 34,800 shares of Common Stock at $0.00067 or $0.01 per share and
all other employees as a group were granted Stock Purchase Rights under the 1990
Incentive Plan to purchase an aggregate of 20,300 shares of Common Stock at
$0.01 per share. The following table sets forth information with respect to the
grant of options to the Named Officers, to all current executive officers as a
group and to all other employees as a group during the last fiscal year:
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
                             AMENDED PLAN BENEFITS
                              1990 INCENTIVE PLAN
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SECURITIES UNDERLYING    AVERAGE WEIGHTED EXERCISE
                 NAME OF INDIVIDUAL                    OPTIONS GRANTED(#)       PRICE PER SHARE($/SH.)
                 ------------------                   ---------------------    -------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                      <C>
Scott G. McNealy....................................          400,000                   $43.63
  Chairman of the Board, President
     and Chief Executive Officer
Lawrence W. Hambly..................................           60,000                    43.63
  President, Enterprise Services
Michael E. Lehman...................................          100,000                    40.81
  Vice President, Corporate Resources
     and Chief Financial Officer
William J. Raduchel.................................           75,000                    40.81
  Chief Strategy Officer
Edward J. Zander....................................          200,000                    40.81
  Chief Operating Officer
All current executive officers as a group...........        1,646,000                    41.60
All other employees as a group......................       11,353,362                    39.33
</TABLE>
 
REQUIRED VOTE AND RECOMMENDATION
 
     The amendment to the 1990 Incentive Plan, as described above, requires the
affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Common Stock represented in
person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting under Delaware Law
("Votes Cast"). Votes that are cast against the proposal will be counted only
for purposes of determining (i) the presence or absence of a quorum for the
transaction of business and (ii) the total number of Votes Cast with respect to
the proposal. An abstention will have the same effect as a vote against this
Proposal II. A broker non-vote will be counted for purposes of determining
whether a quorum is present, but will not be counted as a Vote Cast.
 
     MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE AMENDMENT TO THE 1990 LONG-TERM
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.
 
                                  PROPOSAL III
 
               AMENDMENT TO THE 1988 DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
GENERAL
 
     At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders are being asked to approve an
amendment to the Company's 1988 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Directors'
Option Plan") in order to decrease the number of shares subject to the one-time
automatic nonemployee director grant (granted on the date of the initial
appointment of a director who is not affiliated with an entity having an equity
investment in the Company) from 80,000 shares to 30,000 shares. The Directors'
Option Plan provides for the automatic grant of nonstatutory stock options to
nonemployee directors of the Company.
 
     The Directors' Option Plan was approved by the Board of Directors in
January 1988, approved by the stockholders in October 1988 and a total of
800,000 shares were reserved for issuance thereunder. An increase in the number
of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 800,000 shares to
an aggregate of 1,600,000 shares was approved at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders held on October 27, 1993. In addition, at the 1997 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders on November 12, 1997, the stockholders approved a further
increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Directors'
Option Plan by 600,000 shares to a total of 2,200,000 shares. As of the Record
Date, there were 930,000 shares remaining available for issuance under the
Directors' Option Plan. At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders are being asked
to approve an amendment to the Directors' Option Plan in order to decrease the
number of shares subject to the one-time automatic nonemployee director grant
(granted on the date of the initial appointment of a director who is not
affiliated with an entity having an equity investment in the Company) from
80,000 shares to 30,000 shares.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
     During the last fiscal year, each of the nonemployee directors of the
Company was granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock, at an exercise price of $31.75 per share. During the last fiscal year
Messrs. Doerr, Long, Oshman, and Spence exercised options to purchase an
aggregate of 122,730 shares of the Company's Common Stock at exercise prices
ranging from $6.1562 to $8.5937 per share, for an aggregate net realized gain of
$3,862,049 based on the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the date
of exercise as reported on the Nasdaq National Market.
 
SUMMARY OF DIRECTORS' OPTION PLAN
 
     The essential features of the Directors' Option Plan are outlined below.
 
  Purpose
 
     The purpose of the Directors' Option Plan is to attract and retain the best
available personnel for service as directors of the Company, to provide
additional incentive to the nonemployee directors and to encourage their
continued service on the Board of Directors.
 
  Administration
 
     The Directors' Option Plan is designed to work automatically and not to
require administration. However, to the extent administration is necessary, it
is provided by the Board of Directors of the Company. The interpretation and
construction of any provision of the Directors' Option Plan by the Board of
Directors shall be final and conclusive. Members of the Board of Directors
receive no additional compensation for their services in connection with the
administration of the Directors' Option Plan.
 
  Eligibility
 
     The Director's Option Plan provides for the automatic grant of nonstatutory
stock options to nonemployee directors of the Company. Each nonemployee director
who is a partner, officer or director of an entity having an equity investment
in the Company (or who was so affiliated with such an entity at the time of his
or her initial appointment or election to the Board of Directors), shall be
automatically granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares on the date on which
such person first becomes a director, whether through election by the
stockholders of the Company or appointment by the Board of Directors to fill a
vacancy. Upon approval of this Proposal III by the stockholders at the 1998
Annual Meeting, each nonemployee director who is not, on the date of his or her
initial appointment or election to the Board of Directors, affiliated with an
investment entity as described above, shall automatically be granted an option
to purchase 30,000 shares on the date on which such person first becomes a
director. Thereafter, on the date of and immediately following each Annual
Meeting of Stockholders at which such nonemployee director is re-elected, each
nonemployee director shall be granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares of
Common Stock if, on such date, he or she shall have served on the Company's
Board of Directors for at least six (6) months. The Directors' Option Plan
provides for neither a maximum nor a minimum number of option shares that may be
granted to any one nonemployee director but does provide for the number of
shares which may be included in any grant and the method of making a grant.
 
  Terms of Options
 
     Options granted under the Directors' Option Plan have a term of five (5)
years. Each option is evidenced by a stock option agreement between the Company
and the director to whom such option is granted and is subject to the following
additional terms and conditions:
 
          (a) Exercise of the Option. Options become exercisable cumulatively to
     the extent of twenty-five percent (25%) of the shares subject to the option
     on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. An option is
     exercised by giving written notice of exercise to the Company, specifying
     the number of full shares of Common Stock to be purchased and tendering
     payment to the Company of the purchase price. Payment for shares issued
     upon exercise of an option may consist of cash, check, exchange of shares
     of the Company's Common Stock or a combination thereof.
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
          (b) Option Price. The option price under the Directors' Option Plan is
     100% of the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of
     grant as reported on the Nasdaq National Market. In the case of an option
     granted to an optionee who, immediately before the grant of such option,
     owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power or
     value of all classes of stock of the Company or its parents or
     subsidiaries, the per share exercise price for the shares to be issued
     pursuant to the exercise of such option shall be at least one hundred ten
     percent (110%) of the fair market value per share on the date of grant of
     the option.
 
          (c) Termination of Status as a Director. The Directors' Option Plan
     provides that if an optionee ceases to serve as a director of the Company,
     the option may be exercised within ninety (90) days after the date he or
     she ceases to be a director as to all or part of the shares that the
     optionee was entitled to exercise at the date of such termination.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may an option be exercised after
     its five (5) year term has expired.
 
          (d) Death. If an optionee should die while serving as a director of
     the Company, the option may be exercised at any time within six (6) months
     after death but only to the extent that the option would have been
     exercisable had the optionee continued living and remained a director of
     the Company for six (6) months after death. If an optionee should die
     within one (1) month after ceasing to serve as a director of the Company,
     the option may be exercised within six (6) months after death to the extent
     the option was exercisable on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding
     the foregoing, in no event may an option be exercised after its five (5)
     year term has expired.
 
          (e) Disability. If an optionee is unable to continue his or her
     service as a director of the Company as a result of total and permanent
     disability, the option may be exercised at any time within six (6) months
     after the date of termination, but only to the extent he or she was
     entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. Notwithstanding
     the foregoing, in no event may an option be exercised after its five (5)
     year term has expired.
 
          (f) Suspension or Termination of Options. No option is exercisable by
     any person after the expiration of five (5) years from the date the option
     was granted. If the Chief Executive Officer or his designee reasonably
     believes that an optionee has committed an act of misconduct, the Chief
     Executive Officer may suspend the optionee's right to exercise any option
     pending a determination by the Board of Directors (excluding the director
     accused of such misconduct). If the Board of Directors (excluding the
     director accused of such misconduct) determines an optionee has committed
     an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty, nonpayment of an obligation owed
     to the Company, breach of fiduciary duty or deliberate disregard of the
     Company rules resulting in loss, damage or injury to the Company, or if an
     optionee makes an unauthorized disclosure of any Company trade secret or
     confidential information, engages in any conduct constituting unfair
     competition, induces any Company customer to breach a contract with the
     Company, or induces any principal for whom the Company acts as agent to
     terminate such agency relationship, neither the optionee nor his estate
     shall be entitled to exercise any option whatsoever. In making such
     determination, the Board of Directors (excluding the director accused of
     such misconduct) shall act fairly and shall give the optionee an
     opportunity to appear and present evidence on the optionee's behalf at a
     hearing before a committee of the Board of Directors.
 
          (g) Nontransferability of Options. An option is nontransferable by the
     optionee, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and
     is exercisable only by the optionee during his or her lifetime or, in the
     event of death, by a person who acquires the right to exercise the option
     by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of the optionee.
 
          (h) Other Provisions. The option agreement may contain such other
     terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the Directors'
     Option Plan as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
 
     In the event any change, such as a stock split, is made in the Company's
capitalization which results in an exchange of Common Stock for a greater or
lesser number of shares, an appropriate adjustment shall be made in the option
price and in the number of shares subject to the option. In the event of a stock
dividend, each optionee shall be entitled to receive, upon exercise of the
option, the equivalent of any stock dividend which the optionee would have
received had he or she been, on the record date for such dividend, the holder of
record of the shares purchasable upon such exercise. In the event of the
proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding options
automatically terminate unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors. In
the event of the sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or the
merger of the Company with or into another corporation, outstanding options
shall be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by such successor
corporation. In the event the successor corporation refuses to assume the option
or to substitute an equivalent option, the Board of Directors shall, in lieu
thereof, provide for the full acceleration of the exercisability of shares
subject to option under the Directors' Option Plan.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
 
     The Board of Directors may amend the Directors' Option Plan at any time or
from time to time or may terminate it without approval of the stockholders,
provided, however, that stockholder approval is required for any amendment which
increases the number of shares for which options may be granted, changes the
designation of the class of persons eligible to be granted options, materially
increases the benefits which may accrue to participants under the Plan or
changes the number of shares subject to the options to be granted in accordance
with the terms of the Plan. However, no action by the Board of Directors or
stockholders may alter or impair any option previously granted under the
Directors' Option Plan without the consent of the optionee. In any event, the
Directors' Option Plan currently provides for termination on December 31, 2008.
 
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION
 
     The following is only a summary of the effect of federal income taxation
upon the optionee and the Company with respect to the grant and exercise of
options under the Directors' Option Plan, does not purport to be complete, and
does not discuss the income tax laws of any state or foreign country in which an
optionee may reside.
 
     Options granted under the Directors' Option Plan are nonstatutory options.
An optionee will not recognize any taxable income at the time he is granted a
nonstatutory option. However, upon its exercise, the optionee will recognize
ordinary income for tax purposes measured by the excess of the then fair market
value of the shares over the option price. The Company will receive a tax
deduction equal in amount to the ordinary income recognized by optionees as
described above. Upon resale of such shares by the optionee, any difference
between the sales price and the exercise price, to the extent not recognized as
ordinary income as provided above, will be treated as capital gain or loss, and
will qualify for long-term capital gain or loss treatment if the shares have
been held for more than one year. Capital gains are grouped and netted by
holding periods. Net capital gains on assets held for twelve months or less is
currently taxed at the individual's highest federal ordinary income tax rate.
Net capital gains on assets held for more than 12 months is currently taxed at a
maximum federal rate of 20%. Capital losses are allowed in full against capital
gains and up to $3,000 against other income.
 
VOTE REQUIRED
 
     The amendments to the Directors' Option Plan require the affirmative vote
of the holders of not less than a majority of the Common Stock represented in
person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting under Delaware Law
("Votes Cast"). Votes that are cast against the proposal will be counted only
for purposes of determining (i) the presence or absence of a quorum for the
transaction of business and (ii) the total number of Votes Cast with respect to
the proposal. An abstention will have the same effect as a vote against this
Proposal III. A broker non-vote will be counted for purposes of determining
whether a quorum is present, but will not be counted as a Vote Cast.
 
     MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE AMENDMENT TO THE 1988 DIRECTORS'
STOCK OPTION PLAN.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
                 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     The Board of Directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, to audit the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1999. Ernst & Young LLP has served as the Company's independent
auditors since 1982. Notwithstanding the selection, the Board of Directors, in
its discretion, may direct appointment of new independent auditors at any time
during the year, if the Board of Directors feels that such a change would be in
the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Representatives of Ernst
& Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are expected to be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
     The Company knows of no other matters to be submitted to the Annual
Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the
intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of Proxy to vote the shares
they represent as the Board of Directors may recommend.
 
                                          THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dated: October 2, 1998
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   28

                             SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.

                      1990 LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

                 (LAST AMENDED EFFECTIVE AS OF AUGUST 12, 1998)

       1. Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Sun Microsystems, Inc. 1990
Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan is to enable Sun Microsystems, Inc. to provide
an incentive to eligible employees, consultants and Officers whose present and
potential contributions are important to the continued success of the Company,
to afford them an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company,
and to enable the Company to enlist and retain in its employ the best available
talent for the successful conduct of its business. It is intended that this
purpose will be effected through the granting of (a) stock options, (b) stock
purchase rights, (c) stock appreciation rights, and (d) long-term performance
awards.

       2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

           (a) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

           (b) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

           (c) "Committee" means the Committee or Committees referred to in
Section 5 of the Plan. If at any time no Committee shall be in office, then the
functions of the Committee specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the
Board.

           (d) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock, $0.00067 par value (as
adjusted from time to time), of the Company.

           (e) "Company" means Sun Microsystems, Inc., a corporation organized
under the laws of the state of Delaware, or any successor corporation.

           (f) "Director" means a member of the Board.

           (g) "Disability" means a disability, whether temporary or permanent,
partial or total, as determined by the Committee.

           (h) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

           (i) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common
Stock determined as follows:

               (i) the last reported sale price of the Common Stock of the
Company on the NASDAQ National Market System or, if no such reported sale takes
place on any such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, or

               (ii) if such Common Stock shall then be listed on a national
securities exchange, the last reported sale price or, if no such reported sale
takes place on any such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on
the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed
or admitted to trading, or

               (iii) if such Common Stock shall not be quoted on such National
Market System nor listed or admitted to trading on a national securities
exchange, then the average of the closing bid and asked prices, as reported by
The Wall Street Journal for the over-the-counter market, or

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<PAGE>   29

               (iv) if none of the foregoing is applicable, then the Fair Market
Value of a share of Common Stock shall be determined by the Board in its
discretion.

           (j) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to be and
designated as an "Incentive Stock Option" within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Code.

           (k) "Long-Term Performance Award" means an award under Section 10
below. A Long-Term Performance Award shall permit the recipient to receive a
cash or stock bonus (as determined by the Committee) upon satisfaction of such
performance factors as are set out in the recipient's individual grant.
Long-Term Performance Awards will be based upon the achievement of Company,
Subsidiary and/or individual performance factors or upon such other criteria as
the Committee may deem appropriate.

           (l) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means any Option that is not an
Incentive Stock Option.

           (m) "Officer" means an officer of the Company within the meaning of
Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.

           (n) "Option" means any option to purchase shares of Common Stock
granted pursuant to Section 7 below.

           (o) "Plan" means this 1990 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan, as
hereinafter amended from time to time.

           (p) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant
to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 9 below.

           (q) "Right" means and includes Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock
Purchase Rights granted pursuant to the Plan.

           (r) "Special Reserve" means a number of shares reserved and available
for issuance under the terms of the Plan equal to 3% of the total shares
reserved under the Plan as determined by and set forth under Section 4 below as
such section may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of
this Plan.

           (s) "Stock Appreciation Right" means an award made pursuant to
Section 8 below, which right permits the recipient to receive an amount of
Common Stock or cash equal in value to the difference between the Fair Market
Value of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option and the Fair Market
Value of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right.

           (t) "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase Common Stock
pursuant to a restricted stock purchase agreement entered into between the
Company and the purchaser under Section 9 below.

           (u) "Subsidiary" means a corporation, domestic or foreign, of which
not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Company or by a
Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter organized
or acquired by the Company or by a Subsidiary.

           In addition, the term "Rule 16b-3", and the term "Performance Period"
shall have the meanings set forth in Section 5(a), and Section 10, respectively.

       3. Eligible Participants. Any Officer, consultant, or other employee of
the Company or of a Subsidiary whom the Committee deems to have the potential to
contribute to the future success of the Company shall be eligible to receive
awards under the Plan; provided, however, that any



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<PAGE>   30

Options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to
employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

       4. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to Sections 11 and 12, the total
number of shares of Common Stock reserved and available for distribution
pursuant to the Plan shall be 119,400,000 shares. The shares may be authorized,
but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. Subject to Sections 11 and 12 below,
if any shares of Common Stock that have been optioned under an Option cease to
be subject to such Option (other than through exercise of the Option), or if any
Right, Option or Long-Term Performance Award granted hereunder is forfeited or
any such award otherwise terminates prior to the issuance to the participant of
Common Stock, the shares (if any) that were reserved for issuance pursuant to
such Right, Option or Long-Term Performance Award shall again be available for
distribution in connection with future awards or Option grants under the Plan;
provided, however, that shares of Common Stock that have actually been issued
under the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Option or Right or in satisfaction
of a Long-Term Performance Award, shall not in any event be returned to the Plan
and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan.

       5. Administration.

           (a) Procedure.

               (i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan may be administered
by different Committees with respect to different groups of service providers.

               (ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that a Committee determines it
to be desirable to qualify awards granted hereunder as "performance-based
compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall
be administered by a Committee consisting solely of two or more "outside
directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

               (iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions
hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act ("Rule
16b-3"), the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy
the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.

               (iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan
shall be administered by (A) the Board, or (B) a Committee, which committee
shall be constituted to satisfy applicable securities laws, Delaware corporate
law and the Code.

           (b) Authority. A Committee, if there be one, shall have full power to
implement and carry out the Plan, subject to the general purposes, terms, and
conditions of the Plan and to the direction of the Board (including the specific
duties delegated by the Board to such Committee), which power shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:

               (i) to select the Officers, consultants and other employees of
the Company and/or its Subsidiaries to whom Options, Rights and/or Long-Term
Performance Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder;

               (ii) to determine whether and to what extent Options, Rights
and/or Long-Term Performance Awards, or any combination thereof, are granted
hereunder;

               (iii) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each such award granted hereunder;


                                        3


<PAGE>   31

               (iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

               (v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with
the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder (including, but not
limited to, the share price and any restriction or limitation, or any vesting
acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions regarding any Option or other
award and/or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on
such factors as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);

               (vi) to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option
may be settled in cash or Restricted Stock under Section 7(j) instead of Common
Stock;

               (vii) to determine the form of payment that will be acceptable
consideration for exercise of an Option or Right granted under the Plan;

               (viii) to determine whether, to what extent and under what
circumstances Common Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an award
under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the
participant (including providing for and determining the amount (if any) of any
deemed earnings on any deferred amount during any deferral period);

               (ix) to reduce the exercise price of any Option or Right;

               (x) to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to Stock
Purchase Rights and the Restricted Stock purchased by exercising such Rights;
and

               (xi) to allow participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations
by electing to have the Company withhold from the shares of Common Stock to be
issued upon exercise of an award that number of shares having a Fair Market
Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the
Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to
be withheld is to be determined. All elections by a participant to have shares
withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions
as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable and shall be subject to the
consent or disapproval of the Committee.

           The Committee shall have the authority to construe and interpret the
Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the
Plan, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the
administration of the Plan.

       6. Duration of the Plan. The Plan shall remain in effect until terminated
by the Board under the terms of the Plan, provided that in no event may
Incentive Stock Options be granted under the Plan later than October 15, 2000,
10 years from the date the Plan was adopted by the Board.

       7. Stock Options. The Committee, in its discretion, may grant Options to
eligible participants and shall determine whether such Options shall be
Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options. Each Option shall be
evidenced by a written Option agreement which shall expressly identify the
Option as an Incentive Stock Option or as a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and be in
such form and contain such provisions as the Committee shall from time to time
deem appropriate. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may, at any
time, or from time to time, authorize the Company, with the consent of the
respective recipients, to issue new Options including Options in exchange for
the surrender and cancellation of any or all outstanding Options or Rights.
Option agreements shall contain the following terms and conditions:

          (a) Exercise Price; Number of Shares. The exercise price of the
Option, which shall be approved by the Committee, must be equal to or greater
than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time the Option is
granted; provided, however, that in the case of a



                                        4

<PAGE>   32

Nonstatutory Stock Option, the price may be less than (but no less than 85%) of
the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Option is granted, if
such Option is granted, in the discretion of the Board or Committee, as the case
may be, expressly in lieu of a reasonable amount of salary or compensation due
the recipient of the Option. In addition, Nonstatutory Stock Options may be
granted at an exercise price less than Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at
the time the Option is granted, provided that such grant is out of and subject
to the limitations of the Special Reserve and, provided further, that in the
case of an individual subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the exercise
price shall be no less than 50% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on
the date the Option is granted.

           The Option agreement shall specify the exercise price and the number
of shares of Common Stock to which it pertains.

           (b) Waiting Period; Exercise Dates; Term. At the time an Option is
granted, the Committee will determine the terms and conditions to be satisfied
before shares may be purchased, including the dates on which shares subject to
the Option may first be purchased. The Committee may specify that an Option may
not be exercised until the completion of the waiting period specified at the
time of grant. (Any such period is referred to herein as the "waiting period.")
At the time an Option is granted, the Committee shall fix the period within
which such Option may be exercised, which shall not be less than the waiting
period, if any, nor, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, more than 10
years from the date of grant.

           (c) Form of Payment. The consideration to be paid for the shares of
Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of
payment, shall be determined by the Committee (and, in the case of an Incentive
Stock Option, shall be determined at the time of grant) and may consist entirely
of (i) cash, (ii) certified or cashier's check, (iii) promissory note, (iv)
other shares of Common Stock (including, in the discretion of the Committee,
Restricted Stock) which (x) either have been owned by the optionee for more than
six months on the date of surrender or were not acquired, directly or
indirectly, from the Company, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares as to which said
Option shall be exercised, (v) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice
together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the
Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price,
(vi) delivery of an irrevocable subscription agreement for the shares which
obligates the option holder to take and pay for the shares not more than 12
months after the date of delivery of the subscription agreement or (vii) any
combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

           (d) Effect of Termination of Employment, Retirement or Death of
Employee Participants. In the event that an optionee during his or her lifetime
ceases to be an employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary for any reason,
including retirement, any Option, including any unexercised portion thereof,
which was otherwise exercisable on the date of termination of employment, shall
expire within such time period as is determined by the Committee; provided,
however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option the Option shall expire
unless exercised within a period of 90 days from the date on which the optionee
ceased to be an employee, but in no event after the expiration of the term of
such Option as set forth in the Option agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in the case of an optionee who is not in a job classification of director-level
or above and who ceases to serve as an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary
by reason of retirement (as defined below), then any Option held by such
optionee shall remain outstanding and shall be exercisable as though the
optionee had remained an employee for twelve (12) months after the date



                                        5

<PAGE>   33

of retirement, but in no event shall the Option remain outstanding and
exerciseable after the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the
Option agreement. Subject to earlier termination, such optionee may, but only
within ninety (90) days after the end of such twelve (12) month period, exercise
his or her Option to the extent that he or she was entitled to exercise it at
the end of such twelve (12) month period. To the extent that he or she was not
entitled to exercise the Option at the end of such twelve (12) month period, or
if he or she does not exercise the Option within the time specified herein, the
Option shall terminate. The term "retirement" shall mean the Optionee's
voluntary resignation from the Company (i) at or after attaining age sixty-five
(65), (ii) at or after attaining age sixty (60) with five (5) or more years of
service with the Company, or (iii) at or after attaining age fifty-five (55)
with ten (10) or more years of service with the Company. If in any case the
Committee shall determine that an employee shall have been discharged for Just
Cause (as defined below) such employee shall not thereafter have any rights
under the Plan or any Option that shall have been granted to him or her under
the Plan. For purposes of this Section, "Just Cause" means the termination of
employment of an employee shall have taken place as a result of (i) willful
breach or neglect of duty; (ii) failure or refusal to work or to comply with the
Company's rules, policies, and practices; (iii) dishonesty; (iv)
insubordination; (v) being under the influence of drugs (except to the extent
medically prescribed) or alcohol while on duty or on Company premises; (vi)
conduct endangering, or likely to endanger, the health or safety of another
employee; or (vii) conviction of a felony. In the event of the death of an
employee optionee, that portion of the Option which had become exercisable on
the date of death shall be exercisable by his or her personal representatives,
heirs, or legatees within six months or such time period as is determined by the
Committee (but in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, in no event after the
expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option agreement.) In
the event of the death of an optionee within one month after termination of
employment or service, that portion of the Option which had become exercisable
on the date of termination shall be exercisable by his or her personal
representatives, heirs, or legatees within six months or such time period as is
determined by the Committee (but in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, in no
event after the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
agreement). In the event that an optionee ceases to be an employee of the
Company or of any Subsidiary for any reason, including death or retirement,
prior to the lapse of the waiting period, if any, his or her Option shall
terminate and be null and void to the extent unvested.

           (e) Leave of Absence. The employment relationship shall not be
considered interrupted in the case of: (i) sick leave; (ii) military leave;
(iii) any other leave of absence approved by the Committee, provided that such
leave is for a period of not more than 90 days (or not more than 30 days for
unpaid leave), unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is
guaranteed by contract or statute, or unless provided otherwise pursuant to
formal policy adopted from time to time by the Company and issued and
promulgated to employees in writing; or (iv) in the case of transfer between
locations of the Company or between the Company, its Subsidiaries or its
successor. In the case of any employee on an approved leave of absence, the
Committee may make such provisions respecting suspension of vesting of the
Option while on leave from the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary as it may
deem appropriate, except that in no event shall an Option be exercised after the
expiration of the term set forth in the Option agreement.

           (f) Acceleration of Exercisability or Waiting Period. The Committee
may accelerate the earliest date on which outstanding Options (or any
installments thereof) are exercisable.



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<PAGE>   34

           (g) Special Incentive Stock Option Provisions. In addition to the
foregoing, Options granted under the Plan which are intended to be Incentive
Stock Options under Section 422 of the Code shall be subject to the following
terms and conditions:

                (i) Dollar Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair
Market Value of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which Options
designated as Incentive Stock Options become exercisable for the first time by
any individual during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company) exceeds
$100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, (i) Options shall be taken into account in
the order in which they were granted and (ii) the Fair Market Value of the
shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such shares
is granted.

                (ii) 10% Stockholder. If any person to whom an Incentive Stock
Option is to be granted pursuant to the provisions of the Plan is, on the date
of grant, the owner of Common Stock (as determined under Section 424(d) of the
Code) possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes
of stock of the Company or of any Subsidiary, then the following special
provisions shall be applicable to the Incentive Stock Option granted to such
individual:

                     (A) The exercise price per share of the Common Stock
subject to such Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant; and

                     (B) The Option shall not have a term in excess of five
years from the date of grant.

           Except as modified by the preceding provisions of this Subsection
7(g) and except as otherwise required by Section 422 of the Code, all of the
provisions of the Plan shall be applicable to the Incentive Stock Options
granted hereunder.

           (h) Other Provisions. Each Option granted under the Plan may contain
such other terms, provisions, and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as
may be determined by the Committee.

           (i) Options to Consultants. Options granted to consultants shall not
be subject to Sections 7(b) and 7(d) of the Plan, but shall have such terms and
conditions pertaining to waiting period (if any), exercise date, and effect of
termination of the consulting relationship as the Committee shall determine in
each case.

           (j) Buyout Provisions. The Committee may at any time offer to buy
out, for a payment in cash or Common Stock (including Restricted Stock), an
Option previously granted, based on such terms and conditions as the Committee
shall establish and communicate to the optionee at the time that such offer is
made. Any such offer made to an Officer or Director shall comply with the
applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3. This provision is intended only to clarify
the powers of the Committee and shall not in any way be deemed to create any
rights on the part of optionees to receive buyout offers or payments.

           (k) Limitations on Grants to Employees. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary herein, the following limitations shall apply to grants of Options:

               (i) No eligible participant shall be granted, in any fiscal year
of the Company, Options to purchase more than 600,000 shares.




                                        7


<PAGE>   35

               (ii) In connection with his or her initial employment, an
eligible participant may be granted Options to purchase up to an additional
800,000 shares which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection
(i) above.

               (iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately
in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as described in
Section 11.

               (iv) If an Option is cancelled (other than in connection with a
transaction described in Section 12), the cancelled Option will be counted
against the limit set forth in this paragraph k. For this purpose, if the
exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a
cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.

       8. Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted
only in connection with an Option, either concurrently with the grant of the
Option or at any time thereafter during the term of the Option. The following
provisions apply to such Stock Appreciation Rights.

          (a) Exercise of Right. The Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the
optionee to exercise the Right by surrendering to the Company unexercised a
portion of the underlying Option as to which Optionee has a right to exercise.
The Optionee shall receive in exchange from the Company an amount in cash or
Common Stock equal in value to the excess of (x) the Fair Market Value on the
date of exercise of the Right of the Common Stock covered by the surrendered
portion of the underlying Option over (y) the exercise price of the Common Stock
covered by the surrendered portion of the underlying Option, as determined in
accordance with Section 7(a) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee
may place limits on the amount that may be paid upon exercise of a Stock
Appreciation Right; provided, however, that such limit shall not restrict the
exercisability of the underlying Option.

          (b) Option Cancelled. When a Stock Appreciation Right is exercised,
the underlying Option, to the extent surrendered, shall no longer be
exercisable.

          (c) Exercisability Requirement. A Stock Appreciation Right shall be
exercisable only when and to the extent that the underlying Option is
exercisable and shall expire no later than the date on which the underlying
Option expires.

          (d) In-the-Money Requirement. A Stock Appreciation Right may only be
exercised at a time when the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered by
the underlying Option exceeds the exercise price of the Common Stock covered by
the underlying Option.

          (e) Incentive Stock Option Requirements. In the event that a Stock
Appreciation Right is granted that relates to an Incentive Stock Option, such
Right shall contain such additional or different terms as may be necessary under
applicable regulations to preserve treatment of the Incentive Stock Option as
such under Section 422 of the Code.

          (f) Form of Payment. The Company's obligation arising upon the
exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right may be paid currently or on a deferred
basis (with such interest or earnings equivalent as may be determined by the
Committee), and may be paid in Common Stock or in cash, or in any combination of
Common Stock and cash, as the Committee in its sole discretion may determine.
Shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right
shall be valued at the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the date of
exercise.



                                        8


<PAGE>   36

       9. Stock Purchase Rights.

          (a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Committee determines that
it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the offeree
in writing of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer,
including the number of shares of Common Stock that such person shall be
entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, which price in the case of
individuals subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall not be more than
$0.00067 per share (the par value of the Company's Common Stock, as adjusted
from time to time, and the minimum price permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law), and the time within which such person must accept such offer,
which shall in no event exceed 60 days from the date the Stock Purchase Right
was granted. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock
purchase agreement in the form determined by the Committee. Shares purchased
pursuant to the grant of a Stock Purchase Right shall be referred to herein as
"Restricted Stock."

          (b) Repurchase Option. The Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall
grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or
involuntary termination of the purchaser's employment with the Company for any
reason (including death or Disability). The purchase price for shares
repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall be the
original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any
indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse
as to not more than 50% of such shares at a date not earlier than 2-1/2 years
from the date of grant of the Restricted Stock and as to the remaining shares at
a date not earlier than 5 years from the date of grant of the Restricted Stock.
The Committee shall exercise its repurchase option in accordance with the above.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Restricted Stock granted out of
and subject to the restrictions of the Special Reserve, the Committee may in its
discretion exercise its repurchase option and such repurchase option shall lapse
as to such shares at such a rate as the Committee may, in its discretion,
determine.

          (c) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. In addition,
the provisions of Restricted Stock purchase agreements need not be the same with
respect to each purchaser.

       10. Long-Term Performance Awards.

           (a) Awards. Long-Term Performance Awards are cash or stock bonus
awards that may be granted either alone, in addition to or in tandem with other
awards granted under the Plan and/or awards made outside of the Plan. Long-Term
Performance Awards shall not require payment by the recipient of any
consideration for the Long-Term Performance Award or for the shares of Common
Stock covered by such award. The Committee shall determine the nature, length
and starting date of any performance period (the "Performance Period") for each
Long-Term Performance Award and shall determine the performance and/or
employment factors to be used in the determination of the value of Long-Term
Performance Awards and the extent to which such Long-Term Performance Awards
have been earned. Shares issued pursuant to a Long-Term Performance Award may be
made subject to various conditions, including vesting or forfeiture provisions.
Long-Term Performance Awards may vary from participant to participant and
between groups of participants and shall be based upon the achievement of
Company, Subsidiary and/or individual performance factors or upon such other
criteria as the Committee may deem appropriate.



                                        9


<PAGE>   37

Performance Periods may overlap and participants may participate simultaneously
with respect to Long-Term Performance Awards that are subject to different
Performance Periods and different performance factors and criteria. Long-Term
Performance Awards shall be confirmed by, and be subject to the terms of, a
written Long-Term Performance Award agreement.

           (b) Value of Awards. At the beginning of each Performance Period, the
Committee may determine for each Long-Term Performance Award subject to such
Performance Period the range of dollar values and/or numbers of shares of Common
Stock to be issued to the participant at the end of the Performance Period if
and to the extent that the relevant measures of performance for such Long-Term
Performance Award are met. Such dollar values or numbers of shares of Common
Stock may be fixed or may vary in accordance with such performance or other
criteria as may be determined by the Committee.

           (c) Adjustment of Awards. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
19 hereof, the Committee may, after the grant of Long-Term Performance Awards,
adjust the performance factors applicable to such Long-Term Performance Awards
to take into account changes in the law or in accounting or tax rules and to
make such adjustments as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect
the inclusion or exclusion of the impact of extraordinary or unusual items,
events or circumstances in order to avoid windfalls or hardships.

           (d) Termination. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable
Long-Term Performance Award agreement, if a participant terminates his or her
employment or his or her consultancy during a Performance Period because of
death or Disability, the Committee may in its discretion provide for an earlier
payment in settlement of such award, which payment may be in such amount and
under such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate.

           Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Long-Term Performance
Award agreement, if a participant terminates employment or his or her
consultancy during a Performance Period for any reason other than death or
Disability, then such a participant shall not be entitled to any payment with
respect to the Long-Term Performance Award subject to such Performance Period,
unless the Committee shall otherwise determine in its discretion.

           (e) Form of Payment. The earned portion of a Long-Term Performance
Award may be paid currently or on a deferred basis (with such interest or
earnings equivalent as may be determined by the Committee). Payment shall be
made in the form of cash or whole shares of Common Stock, including Restricted
Stock, or a combination thereof, either in a lump sum payment or in
installments, all as the Committee shall determine.

           (f) Reservation of Shares. In the event that the Committee grants a
Long-Term Performance Award that is payable in cash or Common Stock, the
Committee may (but need not) reserve an appropriate number of shares of Common
Stock under the Plan at the time of grant of the Long-Term Performance Award. If
and to the extent that the full amount reserved is not actually paid in Common
Stock, the shares of Common Stock representing the portion of the reserve for
that Long-Term Performance Award that is not actually issued in satisfaction of
such Long-Term Performance Award shall again become available for award under
the Plan. If shares of Common Stock are not reserved by the Committee at the
time of grant, then (i) no shares shall be deducted from the number of shares
available for grant under the Plan at that time and (ii) at the time of payment
of the Long-Term Performance Award, only the number of shares actually issued to
the participant shall be so deducted. If there are not a sufficient number of
shares available under the



                                       10

<PAGE>   38


Plan for issuance to a participant at the time of payment of a Long-Term
Performance Award, any shortfall shall be paid by the Company in cash.

       11. Recapitalization. In the event that dividends are payable in Common
Stock or in the event there are splits, subdivisions, or combinations of shares
of Common Stock, the number of shares available under the Plan shall be
increased or decreased proportionately, as the case may be, and the number of
shares of Common Stock deliverable in connection with any Option, Right or
Long-Term Performance Award theretofore granted shall be increased or decreased
proportionately, as the case may be, without change in the aggregate purchase
price (where applicable).

       12. Reorganization. In case the Company is merged or consolidated with
another corporation and the Company is not the surviving corporation, or in case
the property or stock of the Company is acquired by another corporation, or in
case of separation, reorganization, or liquidation of the Company, the
Committee, or the board of directors of any corporation assuming the obligations
of the Company hereunder, shall, as to outstanding Options, Rights or Long-Term
Performance Awards either (a) make appropriate provision for the protection of
any such outstanding Options, Rights or Long-Term Performance Awards by the
assumption or substitution on an equitable basis of appropriate stock of the
Company or of the merged, consolidated, or otherwise reorganized corporation
which will be issuable in respect to the shares of Common Stock, provided that
in the case of Incentive Stock Options, such assumption or substitution comply
with Section 424(a) of the Code, or (b) upon written notice to the participant,
provide that the Option or Right must be exercised within 30 days of the date of
such notice or it will be terminated. In any such case, the Committee may, in
its discretion, advance the lapse of vesting periods, waiting periods, and
exercise dates.

       13. Employment or Consulting Relationship. Nothing in the Plan or any
award made hereunder shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the
Company or of any Subsidiary to terminate any recipient's employment or
consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause, nor confer upon any
recipient any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any
Subsidiary.

       14. General Restriction. Each award shall be subject to the requirement
that, if, at any time, the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, that
the listing, quotation, registration, or qualification of the shares subject to
such award upon any securities exchange or quotation system or under any state
or federal law, or the consent or approval of any government regulatory body, is
necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, such award or
the issue or purchase of shares thereunder, such award may not be exercised in
whole or in part unless such listing, quotation, registration, qualification,
consent, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions
not acceptable to the Committee.

       15. Rights as a Stockholder. The holder of an Option, Right or Long-Term
Performance Award shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any
shares covered by such Option, Right or Long-Term Performance Award until the
date of exercise. Once an Option, Right or Long-Term Performance Award is
exercised by the holder thereof, the participant shall have the rights
equivalent to those of a stockholder, and shall be a stockholder when his or her
holding is entered upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the
Company. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no adjustment shall
be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the
date such stock certificate is issued.



                                       11


<PAGE>   39

       16. Nonassignability of Awards. No awards made hereunder, including
Options, Rights and Long-Term Performance Awards, shall be assignable or
transferable by the recipient other than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined by
the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules
thereunder, and in no event shall such awards be assigned or transferred in a
manner that is inconsistent with the specific Plan provisions relating thereto.
The designation of a beneficiary by a participant does not constitute a
transfer. During the life of the recipient, an Option, Right or Long-Term
Performance Award shall be exercisable only by him or her or by a transferee
permitted by this Section 16.

       17. Withholding Taxes. Whenever, under the Plan, shares are to be issued
in satisfaction of Options, Rights or Long-Term Performance Awards granted
hereunder, the Company shall have the right to require the recipient to remit to
the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local
withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate or
certificates for such shares. Whenever, under the Plan, payments are to be made
to participants in cash, such payments shall be net of an amount sufficient to
satisfy federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements.

       18. Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption or amendment of the
Plan by the Board, the submission of the Plan or any amendments thereto to the
stockholders of the Company for approval, nor any provision of the Plan shall be
construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or the Committee
to adopt and implement such additional compensation arrangements as it may deem
desirable, including, without limitation, the awarding of cash or the granting
of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock purchase rights or long-term
performance awards outside of the Plan, and such arrangements may be either
generally applicable to a class of employees or consultants or applicable only
in specified cases.

       19. Amendment, Suspension, or Termination of the Plan. The Board may at
any time amend, alter, suspend, or terminate the Plan, but no amendment,
alteration, suspension, or termination shall be made which would impair the
rights of any grantee under any grant theretofore made, without his or her
consent. In addition, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule
16b-3 under the Exchange Act or under Section 422 of the Code (or any other
Applicable Law), the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan
amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as is required by such
Applicable Law.

       20. Effective Date of the Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon
approval of the Board and shall be subject to stockholder approval within 12
months of adoption by the Board. Options, Rights and Long-Term Performance
Awards may be granted and exercised under the Plan only after there has been
compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.



                                       12




<PAGE>   40

                             SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.

                        1988 DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN

                            (AMENDED AUGUST 12, 1998)

      1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Directors' Stock Option Plan
are to attract and retain the best available personnel for services as Directors
of the Company, to provide additional incentive to the Outside Directors of the
Company to serve as Directors, and to encourage their continued service on the
Board.

      2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

         (a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

         (b) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.

         (c) "Company" shall mean Sun Microsystems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

         (d) "Continuous Status as a Director" shall mean the absence of any
interruption or termination of service as a Director.

         (e) "Director" shall mean a member of the Board.

         (f) "Employee" shall mean any person, including officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. The payment
of a Director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient in and of itself to
constitute "employment" by the Company.

         (g) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

         (h) "Option" shall mean a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

         (i) "Optioned Stock" shall mean the Common Stock subject to an Option.

         (j) "Optionee" shall mean an Outside Director who receives an Option.

         (k) "Outside Director" shall mean a Director who is not an Employee.

         (1) "Parent" shall mean a "parent corporation", whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 425(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.

         (m) "Plan" shall mean this l988 Directors' Stock Option Plan.

         (n) "Share" shall mean a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 11 of the Plan.



                                       1

<PAGE>   41



         (o) "Subsidiary" shall mean a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 425(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.

      3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 2,200,000 Shares (the "Pool") of Common Stock. The Shares may
be authorized, but unissued, or required Common Stock.

         If an Option should expire or become unexercisable for any reason
without having been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject
thereto shall, unless the Plan shall have been terminated, shall become
available for future grant under the Plan. If Shares which were acquired upon
exercise of an Option are subsequently repurchased by the Company, such Shares
shall not in any event be returned to the Plan and shall not become available
for future grant under the Plan.

      4. Administration of and Grants of Options under the Plan.

         (a) Administrator. Except as otherwise required herein, the Plan shall
be administered by the Board.

         (b) Procedure for Grants. All grants of Options hereunder shall be
automatic and non-discretionary and shall be made strictly in accordance with
the following provisions:

             (i) No person shall have any discretion to select which Outside
Directors shall be granted Options or to determine the number of Shares to be
covered by Options granted to Outside Directors.

             (ii) Each Outside Director who is a partner, officer or director of
an entity having an equity investment in the Company (or who was so affiliated
with such an entity at the time of his or her initial appointment or election to
the Board) shall be automatically granted an Option to purchase 20,000 Shares
(the "First Option") upon the effective date of the Plan, as determined in
accordance with Section 6 hereof, or the date on which such person first becomes
a Director, whether through election by the shareholders of the Company or
appointment by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy; provided, however, that
no Option shall be issued under the Plan or become exercisable until shareholder
approval of the Plan has been obtained. Each Outside Director who is not, on the
date of his or her initial appointment or election to the Board, affiliated with
an investment entity as described above, shall automatically be granted a First
Option of 30,000 Shares, subject to the above provision.

             (iii) After the First Option has been granted to an Outside
Director, such Outside Director shall thereafter be automatically granted an
Option to purchase 20,000 Shares (a "Subsequent Option") on the date of and
immediately following each Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company at
which such non-employee director is re-elected, if on such date, he shall
have served on the Board for at least six (6) months.



                                        2

<PAGE>   42

             (iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (ii) and (iii)
hereof, in the event that a grant would cause the number of Shares subject to
outstanding Options plus the number of Shares previously purchased upon exercise
of Options to exceed the Pool, then each such automatic grant shall be for that
number of Shares determined by dividing the total number of Shares remaining
available for grant by the number of Directors on the automatic grant date. Any
further grants shall then be deferred until such time, if any, as additional
Shares become available for grant under the Plan of Shares which may be issued
under the Plan or through cancellation or expiration of Options previously
granted hereunder.

             (v) The terms of an Option granted hereunder shall be as follows:

                 (A) The term of the Option shall be five (5) years.

                 (B) The Option shall be exercisable only while the Outside
Director remains a Director of the Company, except as set forth in Section 9
hereof.

                 (C) The exercise price per Share shall be 100% of the fair
market value per Share on the date of grant of the Option.

                 (D) The Option shall become exercisable in installments
cumulatively as to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Shares subject to the Option
on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of
grant of the Option.

         (c) Powers of the Board. Subject to the provisions and restrictions of
the Plan, the Board shall have the authority, in its discretion: (i) to
determine, upon review of relevant information and in accordance with Section
8(b) of the Plan, the fair market value of the Common Stock; (ii) to determine
the exercise price per share of Options to be granted, which exercise price
shall be determined in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Plan; (iii) to
interpret the Plan; (iv) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan; (v) to authorize any person to exercise on behalf of the
Company any instrument required to effectuate the grant of an Option previously
granted hereunder; and (vi) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for the administration of the Plan.

         (d) Effect of the Board's Decision. All decisions, determinations and
interpretations of the Board shall be final and binding on all Optionees and
any other holders of any Options granted under the Plan.

         (e) Suspension or Termination of Option. If the Chief Executive Officer
or his designee reasonably believes that an Optionee has committed an act of
misconduct, the Chief Executive Officer may suspend the Optionee's right to
exercise any option pending a determination by the Board of Directors (excluding
the Outside Director accused of such misconduct). If the Board of Directors
(excluding the Outside Director accused of such misconduct) determines an
Optionee has committed an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty, nonpayment of
an obligation owed to the Company, breach of fiduciary duty or



                                        3



<PAGE>   43



deliberate disregard of the Company rules resulting in loss, damage or injury to
the Company, or if an Optionee makes an unauthorized disclosure of any Company
trade secret or confidential information, engages in any conduct constituting
unfair competition, induces any Company customer to breach a contract with the
Company or induces any principal for whom the Company acts as agent to terminate
such agency relationship, neither the Optionee nor his estate shall be entitled
to exercise any option whatsoever. In making such determination, the Board of
Directors (excluding the Outside Director accused of such misconduct) shall act
fairly and shall give the Optionee an opportunity to appear and present evidence
on Optionee's behalf at a hearing before the Board or committee of the Board.

      5. Eligibility. Options may be granted only to Outside Directors. All
Options shall be automatically granted in accordance with the terms set forth in
Section 4(b) hereof. An Outside Director who has been granted an Option may, if
he is otherwise eligible, be granted an additional Option or Options in
accordance with such provisions.

      The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to
continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a Director, nor
shall it interfere in any way with any rights which the Director or the Company
may have to terminate his directorship at any time.

      6. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to occur
of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the shareholders of
the Company. It shall continue in effect until December 31, 2008 unless sooner
terminated under Section 13 of the Plan.

      7. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be five (5) years from
the date of grant thereof.

      8. Exercise Price and Consideration.

         (a) Exercise Price. The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be
issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be 100% of the fair market value
per Share on the date of grant of the Option. In the case of an Option granted
to an Optionee who, immediately before the grant of such Option, owns stock
representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power or value of all
classes of stock of the Company or its parents or subsidiaries, the per Share
exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of such Option
shall be at least 110% of the fair market value per Share on the date of grant
of the Option.

         (b) Fair Market Value. The fair market value shall be the closing price
of the Common Stock on the date of grant, as reported on the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System or, in
the event the Common Stock is traded on a stock exchange, the fair market value
per Share shall be the closing price on such exchange on the date of grant of
the Option.



                                        4

<PAGE>   44

         (c) Form of Consideration. The consideration to be paid for the Shares
to be issued upon exercise of an Option shall consist entirely of cash, check,
other Shares of Common Stock having a fair market value on the date of surrender
equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option
shall be exercised, or any combination of such methods of payment.

      9. Exercise of Option.

         (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option granted
hereunder shall be exercisable at such times as are set forth in Section 4(b)
hereof; provided, however, that no Options shall be exercisable until
shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 17 hereof has been
obtained.

             An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

             An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of
such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the
Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the
Company. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment
allowable under Section 8(c) of the Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by
the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized
transfer agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares,
no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall
exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the
Option. A share certificate for the number of Shares so acquired shall be issued
to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 11 of the Plan.

         (b) Termination of Status as a Director. If an Outside Director ceases
to serve as a Director, he may, but only within ninety (90) days after the date
he ceases to be a Director of the Company, exercise his Option to the extent
that he was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the Option be exercised after its
five (5) year term has expired. To the extent that he was not entitled to
exercise an Option at the date of such termination, or if he does not exercise
such Option (which he was entitled to exercise) within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate.

         (c) Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
9(b) above, in the event a Director is unable to continue his service as a
Director with the Company as a result of his total and permanent disability (as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code), he may, but only
within six (6) months from the date of termination, exercise his Option to the
extent he was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the Option be exercised after its
five (5) year



                                        5



<PAGE>   45



term has expired. To the extend that he was not entitled to exercise the Option
at the date of termination, or if he does not exercise such Option (which he was
entitled to exercise) within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.

         (d) Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee:

             (i) During the term of the Option, Optionee who is, at the time of
his death, a Director of the Company and who shall have been in Continuous
Status as a Director since the date of grant of the Option, the Option may be
exercised, at any time within six (6) months following the date of death, by the
Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option
by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that
would have accrued had the Optionee continued living and remained in Continuous
Status as Director for six (6) months after the date of death. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in no event may the Option be exercised after its five (5) year
term has expired.

             (ii) Within one (1) month after the termination of Continuous
Status as a Director, the Option may be exercised, at any time within six (6)
months following the date of death, by the Optionee's estate or by a person who
acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to
the extent of the right to exercise that had accrued at the date of termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the option be exercised after its
five (5) year term has expired.

      10. Non-Transferability of Options. Options may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified
domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder. The designation of a
beneficiary by an Optionee does not constitute a transfer. An Option may be
exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee or a
transferee permitted by this Section 10.

      11. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger. Subject to any
required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of
Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan
upon cancellation or expiration of an Option, as well as the price per share of
Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration". Such adjustment shall be



                                        6

<PAGE>   46

made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding
and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company
of shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason
thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common
Stock subject to an Option.

         In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company,
the Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed
action. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company or the merger of the Company with or into another
corporation, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option shall be
substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such
successor corporation. In the event that such successor corporation refuses to
assume the Option or to substitute an equivalent option, the Board shall, in
lieu of such assumption or substitution, provide for the Optionee to have the
right to exercise the Option as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares
as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable, in which case, the
Board shall notify the Optionee that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a
period of thirty (30) days from the date of such notice, and the Option will
terminate upon the expiration of such period.

      12. Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option shall, for
all purposes, be the date determined in accordance with Section 4(b) hereof.
Notice of the termination shall be given to each Outside Director to whom an
Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

      13. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

          (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may amend or terminate the
Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable;
provided that, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule l6b-3
under the Exchange Act (or any other applicable law or regulation), the Company
shall obtain approval of the shareholders of the Company of Plan amendments to
the extent and in the manner required by such law or regulation.

              Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions set forth in
Sections 2(k), 4(b), 5, 7 and 8(a) of this Plan (and any other Sections of this
Plan that affect the formula award terms required to be specified in this Plan
by Rule 16b-3) shall not be amended more than once every six months, other than
to comport with changes in the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder.

              (i) any increase in the number of Shares subject to the Plan,
other than in connection with an adjustment under Section 11 of the Plan; or

              (ii) any change in the designation of the class of persons
eligible to be granted Options; or



                                        7



<PAGE>   47

              (iii) any material increase in the benefits accruing to
participants under the Plan; or

              (iv) any change in the number of shares subject to Options to be
granted hereunder or in the terms thereof as set forth in Section 4(b) hereof.

         (b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment or
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been
amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and
the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the
Company.

      14. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the
issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of
1933, as amended the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, state securities laws, and the requirements of any stock exchange
upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the
approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

          As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may require
the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time of any
such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares, if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.

          Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body
having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be
necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve
the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such
Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

      15. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will
at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

      16. Option Agreement. Options shall be evidenced by written option
agreements in such form as the Board shall approve.

      17. Information to Optionees. The Company shall provide to each Optionee,
during the period for which such Optionee has one or more Options outstanding,
copies of all annual reports to shareholders, proxy statements and other
information provided to all shareholders of the Company.




                                       8
<PAGE>   48

         THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

                             SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.

                      1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

     The undersigned stockholder of Sun Microsystems, Inc. (the "Company"), a
Delaware corporation, hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, each dated October 2, 1998, and
hereby appoints Scott G. McNealy and Michael H. Morris or either of them,
proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power to each of substitution, on
behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the
Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders ("Annual Meeting") to be held on
Wednesday, November 11, 1998, and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s)
thereof, and to vote all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be
entitled to vote if then and there personally present, on the matters set forth
on the reverse side. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.
(registration will begin at 9:00 a.m.), local time, at the Company's Menlo Park
offices at 10 Network Circle (Building 10), Willow Road at Bayfront Expressway,
Menlo Park, California.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED,
WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, THE AMENDMENT TO THE 1990 LONG-TERM
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, THE AMENDMENT TO THE 1988 DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN
AND AS SAID PROXIES DEEM ADVISABLE ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.

1.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:

NOMINEES: Scott G. McNealy; L. John Doerr; Judith L. Estrin; Robert J. Fisher;
Robert L. Long; M. Kenneth Oshman; A. Michael Spence;

FOR [ ]          AGAINST [ ]          ABSTAIN [ ]

[ ]
   -----------------------------------
For all nominees except as noted above

2.  AMENDMENT TO THE 1990 LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN:

Proposal to approve an amendment to the 1990 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan in
order to increase the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
thereunder by 18,000,000 shares, from 101,400,000 shares to 119,400,000 shares;

FOR [ ]          AGAINST [ ]          ABSTAIN [ ]

3.  AMENDMENT TO THE 1988 DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN:

Proposal to approve an amendment to the 1988 Directors' Stock Option Plan in
order to decrease the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the one-time
automatic nonemployee director grant (granted on the date of the initial
appointment of a director who is not affiliated with an entity having an equity
investment in the Company) from 80,000 shares to 30,000 shares;

FOR [ ]          AGAINST [ ]          ABSTAIN [ ]

and, in their discretion, upon such other matter or matters which may properly
come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.

(This Proxy should be marked, dated, signed by the stockholder(s) exactly as his
or her name appears hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope.
Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate. If shares are held
by joint tenants or as community property, both should sign.)

MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE BELOW.                              [ ]



Signature:                                             Date:
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Signature:                                             Date:
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