Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 17:03:18 -0800 To: editor@lwn.net From: Ashlee Gora <ashlee@synergymicro.com> Subject: Press Release Dear Editor, Please see the new press release below. Please don't hesitate to call if you have any questions. Best regards, Ron Marcus ______________________________________________________________________ PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: Ron Marcus Marketing Director Synergy Microsystems, Inc. Tel: 619.452.0020 x 217 Fax: 619.452.0060 E-mail: ron@synergymicro.com SYNERGY MICROSYSTEMS ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR LINUX ON ITS VME AND COMPACTPCI CPU BOARDS FEBRUARY 17, 1999, SAN DIEGO, CA -- Synergy Microsystems, Inc. today announced support for the Linux operating system, version 2.2.0, on its VGM, KGM, VSS and KSS series of VME and CompactPCI processor boards. Customers may order Synergy processor boards with the latest version of the Linux operating system kernel for the PowerPC processor, including the RT-Linux kernel for full real-time processing support, and SMP support. Linux's SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) support allows Synergy's dual- and quad-CPU boards to execute tasks with optimum efficiency and speed. The Linux operating system is open source. Synergy will charge only a nominal fee for its Linux board support packages (BSP), which enable Synergy boards to execute Linux and applications written for Linux. "Linux has definitely matured and is attracting a fast-growing customer base in the embedded world as well as on the desktop." said Tom Powell, Synergy Microsystems CEO. "We're very excited to be among the first, if not the first, VME or CompactPCI board manufacturer to support Linux. Linux support is a good complement to our support for dedicated real-time environments like VxWorks. With this expanded OS support, we can meet the needs of more customers." In addition to supporting Linux, Synergy will continue to fully support existing and future versions of popular, dedicated real-time operating systems. Synergy supports VxWorks, LynxOS, pSOS, PDOS and OS9. Linux is attractive to a growing group of embedded application developers for several reasons. As open source, the cost to implement Linux is low. Because it is freely distributed to engineers around the world via the Internet, there is an expanding cadre of users reporting and fixing bugs, and posting fixes to the Internet for all to share. Real-time extensions have made Linux viable for many applications requiring deterministic response. The OS and real-time kernels can easily fit in system Flash ROM. Finally, because Linux is essentially UNIX, as well as POSIX compliant, Linux presents a programming environment that's familiar to many engineers. Synergy Microsystems, Inc. designs and manufactures very high-performance VMEbus and CompactPCI single board computers with single and multiple PowerPC and 68K microprocessors for use in demanding real-time applications. Synergy also supports a wide variety of I/O options with its line of daughtercards and daughtercards from other manufacturers. The company has a long track record of extracting the highest possible performance from current and emerging SBC technology, as well as providing innovative solutions to unique applications. In business since 1985, the corporation is privately held, with headquarters in San Diego and R&D facilities in both San Diego and Tucson. # # #