Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 15:19:05 -0700
To: lwn@lwn.net
From: Mary Anne Llamas 
Subject: Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

						For More Information, Contact:
						Greg King or Kim Rose
						ShapeTechnology
						(650) 235-2505
						gking@shapetech.com


Axis Communications Offers Crash-Safe File System for Embedded Linux
Devices

First Open Source for Diskless Devices; Collaboration with Red Hat,
Linux Community

Lund, Sweden, April 24, 2000 - Axis Communications announced today
the first open source code for the Journaled Flash File System
(JFFS), which allows Linux devices to store information on
flash-ROM's.  This production quality filesystem, developed by Axis,
is ideally suited for designing embedded systems without hard drives,
such as emerging network and mobile devices, because it provides
crash-safe memory and supports fast system boot-up. The source code
is freely available to the open source community, released under the
GNU General Public License (GPL) on the Axis Developer Web site
(http://developer.axis.com).
"Red Hat is very excited about Axis' development of the JFFS.  We will
drive the development of Internet appliances and embedded devices.
Developers can take advantage of these advancements, through Red
Hat's cross-platform open-source development IDE, for creating
applications that are portable across a wide range of emerging
computing devices."

Axis Communications Offers JFFS for Embedded Linux Devices

JFFS is a log-structured filesystem, designed to protect data even
after a power failure or system crash. Devices can also be designed
to take advantage of  "instant on" capability and faster performance
because JFFS doesn't require a conventional filesystem check during
boot up or accessing data physically from a hard drive. As an
additional feature, JFFS extends the life of Flash-ROM's because of
wear leveling, a technique that spreads usage across the entire Flash
area.

Embedded Systems Pioneer
Axis Communications is dedicated to advancing the use of Linux for
new and  emerging network and mobile embedded devices. Some recent
examples of their innovation in Linux include:
=85 A Bluetooth driver for Linux that was recently made available to
the open source community. This development opens the world of Linux
to mobile applications using Bluetooth, a technology for wireless
communications between mobile phones and other portable devices.
=85 In February, Axis was the first to the market with a single-chip
Linux thin server, designed to run embedded Linux for a wide range of
networked and embedded applications. This  "system-on-a-chip"
solution available to developers, along with evaluation boards,
detailed reference design, source code, tools and drivers for
embedded Linux.
=85  Axis introduced last November one of the first hardware products
ever shipped with embedded Linux - the AXIS 2100 Digital Network
Camera. This compact camera has a built-in Linux Web server, connects
directly to Ethernet or to a modem and includes everything needed for
capturing and transmitting high-quality video images over data
networks and the Internet (no PC needed).

Axis Communications Offers JFFS for Embedded Linux Devices

More about Axis' JFFS
Axis' JFFS is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and
its current version works with a Linux 2.0 kernel and memory-mapped
industry-standard flash memories, such as NOR-flashes. Additional
improvements, such as port to Linux 2.2+, support for NAND-flashes,
community patches and bug fixes will be published when available.
The software is available as a free download from the Axis developer
site (http://developer.axis.com).
Axis is also providing a developer mailing list for those interested in
helping to develop the code or desire the latest information. To subscribe
to the jffs-dev mailing list, e-mail majordomo@axis.com and include in the
body of the e-mail: subscribe jffs-dev

About Axis Communications
Axis Communications is a leader in network connectivity and an
emerging player in wireless communications and value-added
Internet-based services. The company develops and markets solutions
that enhance peoples' communication and interaction with information
over network and wireless devices. These solutions provide
conveniences and services that empower individuals and improve the
overall effectiveness of organizations.
=46ounded in 1984, Axis employs over 350 people worldwide. Axis has its
headquarters in Lund, Sweden and offices in 17 countries including
the United States, Asia and Europe. More information about Axis can
be found at http://www.axis.com.

####
Axis is a registered trademark of Axis Communications AB. Linux is a=20
trademark of Linus Torvalds. Red Hat is a registered trademark of Red=20
Hat, Inc. All other company names and products are trademarks or=20
registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Mary Anne Llamas
ShapeTechnology
1820 Gateway Drive
Suite 370
San Mateo, CA  94404
ph: (650) 235-2505  ext 26
fx: (650) 235-2509
www.shapetech.com