User-Mode Linux Software for Apple PowerPC G5 Released

Embedded Software Leader Committed to Driving Linux Innovation and Making PPC UML Technology Available to the Linux Community

LynuxWorks(TM) Inc. today introduced the industry's first PowerPC version of User-Mode Linux (UML) based on the latest Linux(TM) 2.6 kernel and available for the Apple PowerPC G5, the world's first 64-bit desktop processor. LynuxWorks' UML software will run on a LynuxWorks' BlueCat(R) Linux host, providing a stable Linux 2.6 virtual machine environment for a PowerPC platform.

UML is a safe, secure way of running multiple guest, or virtual, Linux machines and applications simultaneously on the same Linux host system. The virtual machine runs in user-mode, allowing complete user-level debug access to the Linux 2.6 kernel. LynuxWorks will make its UML version available immediately to the Linux developer community at http://user-mode-linux.sourceforge.net/index.html.

Previously only available on the x86/Intel IA-32, LynuxWorks made the necessary design changes to run its UML on the PowerPC G5 platform, allowing developers to move forward with 64-bit architecture development and migrate to PowerPC 970 embedded hardware in the future. Moreover, with the first non-x86 UML for the Linux 2.6 kernel, LynuxWorks is enabling developers to take advantage of advanced features such as real-time performance and easier porting to new computers.

"LynuxWorks remains committed to driving Linux technology innovation and giving back to the Linux user community to meet their development needs," said Dr. Inder Singh, chairman and CEO of LynuxWorks. "Linux 2.6 is quickly becoming the standard for embedded development. And as the 64-bit processor becomes more prevalent in the embedded industry, especially in the military and aerospace sector, we anticipate our UML will be in high demand and further the adoption of embedded Linux."

LynuxWorks' UML for BlueCat Linux on the PowerPC platform provides embedded developers the following benefits:

-- Give Hardware Multiple Duties. Developers can split a single system to create independent hardware and software virtual Linux machines and increase the processing duties of a BlueCat Linux host system.

-- Create a Secure Sandbox. Limit the virtual Linux system's access to BlueCat Linux host resources so that any processes running in the UML machine can not change or damage the host computer hardware or BlueCat Linux software. This is especially important so that any malicious applications or bugs running inside the UML can not harm precious data on the outside BlueCat Linux host unless access is explicitly provided.

-- Test and Test Some More. Testing is one of the many applications of UML, since the kernel under development can be placed in the user-space of the BlueCat Linux host system. For example, developers can experiment with new Linux kernels or distributions and ease Linux kernel debugging, all without risking the BlueCat Linux host system.

Future LynuxWorks UML versions will allow developers to port and virtualize the Linux kernel onto other OSes and provide a completely authentic Linux environment to run any Linux executable. This process is made easiest with other open standards-based or POSIX-conformant OSes such as LynuxWorks' LynxOS(R) real-time operating system (RTOS) and LynxOS-178(R) safety-critical RTOS, since the host OS would need to intercept Linux system calls in order for a port to be possible.

LynuxWorks is the only company in the industry to offer customers a complete family of open standards-based embedded operating systems, from its royalty-free BlueCat Linux to its flagship LynxOS and LynxOS-178 RTOSes. This approach enables customers to move applications from one OS to another with no costly or lengthy porting process.

Contacts

LynuxWorks Inc.
Kirsten Long, 408-979-4404
klong@lnxw.com
or
Weber Shandwick
Roger Villareal, 415-248-3425
rvillareal@webershandwick.com

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