IBM is in talks to buy Sun Microsystems, marking the beginning of what is likely to be a new wave of acquisitions in the tech industry over the next 18 months.

It's the logical consequence of the all-out war for the data center — the large computer rooms that keep businesses and the Internet running — that the industry is suddenly in the midst of. Businesses will spend about $100 billion on equipment and software for data centers in 2009, according to research company IDC.

Read full story: Wall Street Journal

Updates:  UPDATED Mar 18, 2009 1:52 PM PDT
What IBM/Sun talks could mean for cloud computing Network World, Mar.18.2009
Sun Shares Soar on Report of IBM Bid Data Center Knowledge, Mar.18.2009
IBM's potential purchase of Sun: Here's why it makes sense ZDNet, Mar.18.2009
Why IBM Should Buy Sun: Cloud Services GigaOm, Mar.18.2009

Related topics: Cloud Computing, Data Center