SnapGear releases world’s first production Linux system powered by 2.6 kernel

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Craig Oda writes

“Embedded Linux Upgrade Features Improved Security and Support for Intel®, Renesas®, Motorola® and NEC® Processors.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – September 29, 2003 – SnapGear Inc., a leader in embedded Linux security, today announced the availability of version 3.0 of SnapGear Embedded Linux, which includes the Linux 2.6 kernel, a full embedded Linux distribution, security enhancements, and a developer’s toolkit.

Prior to the release of the 2.6 kernel, SnapGear led the development of a specialized embedded Linux kernel called uClinux which has been ported to more than 100 platforms based on processors from silicon vendors including Intel, Motorola and Renesas, a joint venture of Hitachi and Mitsubishi. This development work has now merged into the 2.6 Linux kernel.

“The uClinux patches were merged during the 2.5 kernel development process, due in large part to the work of engineers at SnapGear,” said Andrew Morton, head maintainer of the 2.6 Linux kernel. “Much of the 2.5 kernel effort was focused on scaling the Linux kernel up for very large systems, but the uClinux contribution means that the new kernel scales further down than ever before so the latest kernel will run out-of-the-box on small systems based around the m68k, v850 and SuperH® processors. It is a remarkable achievement for a single body of system software to run so well upon such a broad range of hardware.”

By using the new 2.6 Linux kernel, SnapGear Embedded Linux enables more efficient use of encryption hardware for secure Internet connections and supports a much wider range of hardware including processors from Intel, Renesas, Motorola, AMD, and NEC. The previous version of SnapGear.s Embedded Linux is already being used in more than 2 million devices. SnapGear’s newest version of Embedded Linux is immediately available for free download at www.snapgear.org.

“Embedded Linux is rapidly becoming a popular choice of operating system for networking devices because of its real-time reliability, scalability and open-source development support,” said Brian Davis, director of business development at Renesas Technology America, Inc. “Combining with our SuperH RISC processors, we enable development of secure, reliable and cost effective networking appliances for this growing market.”

New features in SnapGear Embedded Linux 3.0 include:

  • Improved support for Intel XScale processors
  • Improved resistance to denial of service attacks
  • Faster encryption through improved support for hardware acceleration
  • Upgraded Virtual Private Networking (VPN) support for PPTP, L2TP and IPSec

“SnapGear Embedded Linux 3.0 is the first production Linux to incorporate the benefits of the 2.6 Linux kernel,” said Rick Stevenson, CEO of SnapGear. “Embedded systems developers can now use the mainstream Linux kernel in their designs, even with deeply embedded processors lacking memory management hardware.”

About SnapGear Embedded Linux

SnapGear’s embedded Linux distribution represents state-of-the-art embedded Linux technology for deeply embedded microprocessors with or without MMU (memory management unit), an important advantage in allowing developers more choice in selection of processors for producing vertical ranges of products. SnapGear embedded Linux is unique in providing commercial quality tool chains and processor support in a freely downloadable open source format.

SnapGear’s engineering team has been instrumental in the development of uClinux (a subset of SnapGear Embedded Linux) which has been ported to more than 100 chip architectures, as well as the pioneering implementation of Microsoft’s PPTP VPN standard on Linux. SnapGear’s embedded Linux distribution runs in more than 20 million devices globally.

For more information, visit www.snapgear.org.

About SnapGear, Inc.

SnapGear, a leader in embedded Linux security, provides design, engineering and fulfillment services for network appliances that ensure secure Internet communications for business. SnapGear partners with OEM customers to deliver custom security solutions worldwide and distributes VPN/firewall security products through systems integrators in more than 40 countries. For more information, please visit www.snapgear.com.

“SnapGear” is a registered trademark of SnapGear Inc. All other products, services, companies and publications are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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Link: snapgear.com