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.

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