See also: last week's Commerce page.

Linux and Business

Embedded Systems have a Hot Time in San Francisco. This week the Embedded Systems Conference hit San Francisco and with it came a flood of press releases as vendors vied to show off their best new products. New alliances and new resolves promise a great future for Linux in the embedded space. Most of the major Linux players made multiple announcements, so by company (and in no particular order):

MontaVista made a range of announcements, from the release of Hard Hat Linux 2.0 and the Hard Hat Linux 2.0 Professional Edition which features a comprehensive suite of development tools, to the open source release of its hot swap infrastructure code. Now a Source Forge project. Then, in cooperation with Hitachi Ltd. they released Hard Hat Linux and development tools for the Hitachi SH-3 and SH-4 microprocessors. If that wasn't enough for one week, they also joined with Trolltech to provide Trolltech's Qt/Embedded development framework with MontaVista's Hard Hat Linux distribution in a comprehensive platform - OS, development framework and embedded windowing system. Conference goers were treated to the latter running on a Compaq iPAQ.

Lineo, Inc. released new SecureEdge Appliances, Firewall and Network Attached Storage and the Lineo Embedix[tm] Board Development Kit (BDK). They announced the opening of the new Lineo Embedded Systems Center in Silicon Valley. Lineo also made some alliances: they announced a partnership with ARM to further the development and use of embedded Linux on ARM®core-based microprocessors; with Trolltech, to ensure that Trolltech's Qt/Embedded application framework integrates seamlessly into Lineo's Embedix[tm] software development kit; and with Metrowerks, makers of CodeWarrior®. The CodeWarrior for Embedix Development System for the PowerQUICC II[tm] MPC8260 is shipping now.

Red Hat, Inc. announced that it has joined the EEMBC, the Embedded MicroprocessorBenchmarking Consortium. Through its membership in this consortium, Red Hat will have access to the EEMBC (tm) benchmark code, which will allow it to optimize code generation for its partners. Working with Altera Corporation they announced a version of the Red Hat GNUPro embedded development tools that support Altera's ARM.-based and MIPS.-based Excalibur(tm) embedded processor solutions. The company is also supplying Morpho Technologies with a GNUPro tool suite compatible with their m_RISC-based reconfigurable DSP (rDSP(tm)) chip.

Lynuxworks announced a new release of BlueCat(TM) Linux with MIPS support and the CodeWarrior(TM) Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Edition for LynuxWorks Development Tools. With these tools, companies using Linux and Solaris host development environments can deploy on LynxOS(R) and BlueCat(TM) Linux targets.

Any way, that's the tip of the iceberg. More announcements from ESC are scattered through the press releases, and not just in the categories created specially for this week. Look for ZF Micro Devices, Inc., formerly ZF Linux Devices, Altera, ARM and many other exciting embedded announcements.

Intel releases iSCSI reference software as open source. Intel has released a reference implementation of the iSCSI specification for next generation storage systems as open source software.

Mountain View Data Announces Availability of SnapFS Beta. Mountain View Data announced the availability of the beta version of SnapFS, enhancing journaling file systems with the capability to capture and retain multiple snapshot versions of files and folders. SnapFS beta is currently available for the Linux 2.2 kernel in conjunction with the Ext3 journal file system.

Komodo(TM) IDE - the Killer Mozilla Application. ActiveState announced the release of the Mozilla based Komodo 1.0. Komodo is a Perl and Python, multi-language integrated development environment (IDE) based on the Mozilla application framework.

SuSE's Free Linux Program for US High Schools. SuSE Linux has announced SuSE's Free Linux Program for US High Schools. Initially, SuSE will sponsor more than 2,000 boxes of SuSE Linux throughout US public and private high schools.

Linux Stock Index for April 05 to April 11, 2001.

LSI at closing on April 05, 2001 ... 28.23
LSI at closing on April 11, 2001 ... 28.67

The high for the week was 28.71
The low for the week was 26.86

Press Releases:

Open source products

• Apache Software Foundation (): Apache Software Foundation Releases 2.0 Beta of Their Web Server; First Public Beta Follows Testing On The Apache Web Site.

• @Court (ALAMEDA, Calif.): @Court Releases Open Source Connectivity Tool Kit, Sparking Innovation for Back-Office Automation Systems in U.S. Courts.

• DivXNetworks, Inc. (SAN DIEGO): DivX Positioned as Open Standard for Broadband Digital Video. OpenDivX has been ported to all major operating systems and processing platforms less than three months after the release of the source code.

• ZF Micro Devices (PALO ALTO, Calif.): ZF Micro Devices Announces Family of Comprehensive Open Source Reference Designs for Use With ZFx86 PC-on-a-Chip.

Embedded Systems Conference

• Altera (SAN FRANCISCO): Designers Using Linux Now Have Access to Altera's SOPC Solutions.

• Altera (SAN FRANCISCO): Altera Taps into Linux and Ethernet Markets With Nios Embedded Processor Core.

• ARM (CAMBRIDGE, U.K.): ARM Supports Partners and Developer Community With Launch of ARM DevZone Web Site.

• Consystant (SAN FRANCISCO): New Environment to Reuse Software Components and Retarget Software Designs Now Available from Consystant. The Consystant environment runs on Linux.

• DevelopOnline (SAN FRANCISCO): Success with Open Microprocessor Platforms Attracts Embedded Software to DevelopOnline; Eight New Alliances Grow Robust Online Software 'Stacks'.

• EPSON Electronics America Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO): EPSON Announces New Member Of Embedded Memory Companion Chip Family, The S1D13A04. Comes with Linux drivers.

• Extended Systems (SAN FRANCISCO): Extended Systems Ships Bluetooth Software Version 1.2.1 for Handheld Devices; Product complies with Bluetooth Spec. 1.1, adds support for Linux OS & Infineon Radios.

• Force Computers (SAN FRANCISCO): Force Introduces Centellis CO 28000-10U 'Array of Independent Servers' Platform Series.

• Force Computers (SAN FRANCISCO): Force Introduces PowerPMC-250 Platform for Small Footprint, Real-time Applications.

• Force Computers (SAN FRANCISCO): Force Introduces Flexor System 2 Embedded Server for High-Density Rack-Mount Applications.

• Highlander Engineering, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO): Highlander Improves the Portability of Software Distributed Between Enterprise and Embedded Computers. Highlander VisiBroker for C++ for Embedded Systems version 4.1 supports a complete, embedded implementation of the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA(R)) 2.3 specification with the Real-Time CORBA extensions.

• I-Logix Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO): I-Logix Details 'Product Management Portal' Strategy to Streamline the Embedded Development and Product Lifecycle Process for the Pervasive Computing Market. I-Logix is a founding member of the Embedded Linux Consortium.

• Innoveda (MARLBORO, Mass.): Innoveda's V-CPU Boosts HW/SW Co-Verification Performance. V-CPU also now supports Windows 2000 and Red Hat Linux platforms, and multi-threaded software applications.

• NextNine, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO): NextNine Ships SurroundView Version 2.1; New Ease-of-Use Features Enable Sophisticated Real-time Graphical Monitoring Right Out of the Box.

• NextNine, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO): NextNine, Inc. Introduces NextNine R&D Remote Troubleshooting/Debugging Software for Embedded Telecom/Datacom Systems. NextNine R&D supports a range of real time operating systems.

• REDSonic, Inc. (Orange County, Calif.): REDSONIC aligns with M-SYSTEMS to provide comprehensive software-integrated hardware solutions to embedded community..

• RidgeRun, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO): DSPLinux Demonstrated on Texas Instruments' DSC Processors for Imaging Internet Appliances.

• RidgeRun, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO): RidgeRun Collaboration With DevelopOnline Gives Linux Developers Instant Access To New DSP + ARM Processor Platforms.

• Teknor (SAN FRANCISCO): Teknor Offers Latest Low Power Pentium III Speeds for Communications SBC.

• Teknor (SAN FRANCISCO): Teknor Targets CTI and Internet Infrastructure Markets With New SBC. Linux is supported.

• ZF Micro Devices, Inc. (PALO ALTO, Calif.): ZF Micro Devices' Superior Web-Enabled Product Support Helps Speed Up Time-to-Market. The ZFx86 PC-on-a-Chip includes a PhoenixBIOS(TM) and a choice of a customized Linux implementation or Wind River's VxWorks. Every ZFx86 Integrated Development System includes Red Hat Linux 6.2 and LynuxWorks BlueCat Linux and the LynuxWorks development tools.

Embedded Java

• Elmic Systems, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO): Elmic Systems Introduces eVM Embedded Software; New Virtual Machine for Java Developers Enables Networking, Easy Integration with Linux in Wireless Devices.

• Insignia Solutions (SAN FRANCISCO): Insignia Solutions Takes Leadership Role In Speeding Deployment of Java Technology To Linux-Based Devices.

Distributions and bundled products

• BakBone Software, Inc. (TOKYO): Turbolinux Japan Bundles Forthcoming Version Of Operating System With BakBone Software's NetVault.

Proprietary Products for Linux

• Better Access Networking (Leuven): Better Access becomes new Teamware partner in Belgium. Better Access Networking in Leuven is Teamware's new reselling partner for 'Teamware Office 5.3 for Linux' in Belgium.

• Cylant Technology, Inc. (BEND, Ore.): IDS for Linux prevents previously unknown attacks. CylantSecure for Linux is an intrusion detection system that protects against both known and previously unknown forms of attack.

• Digimarc Corp. (Tualatin, Ore.): Digimarc announces new SDK for Linux. The new Digimarc ImageBridge SDK enables Linux applications to embed, detect and read digital watermarks.

Servers and bundled products

• Compaq Computer Corporation (REDWOOD CITY, Calif.): Compaq and Check Point Deliver New Rapid Deployment, High Availability Internet Security SolutionPaqs; First Turn-Key Linux-Based Solution to Offer High Availability.

• Lutris Technologies Inc. (SANTA CRUZ, Calif.): Lutris To Speed Development of Web and Mobile Applications with Hewlett Packard. HP Netserver systems running Linux and Windows 2000 will come with Lutris Enhydra 3.5.

• Quovad (IRVINGTON, NY): Quovad Announces Availability Of QuoVE High-performance Workstations for Digital Designers. Each QuoVE(TM) will come preloaded with buyer's choice of Windows 2000 Professional or Redhat Linux.

• VA Linux Systems (FREMONT, Calif.): VA Linux Ships New High-Performance 2U Servers With Remote Management Capabilities; Three New Models in the VA Linux 2200 Series Offer Manageability with VACM.

Products and Services Using Linux

• BigStorage Inc. & FalconStor Software, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO and MELVILLE, N.Y.): BigStorage and FalconStor Partner to Offer K2 NAS Series With FalconStor's IPStor for Linux-Based SAN/NAS Solution. The K2 NAS is based on Linux technology and works with IPStor's SAN capabilities without any porting.

• Chromium Communications (Kirkland, WA): Chromium Announces Speed Enhancement for Apache Web Servers. ChromeLinux/WebServer is a highly optimized version of the Apache 1.3 Web Server built on top of the Linux platform.

• Everex Communications, Inc. (FREMONT & SUNNYVALE, Calif.): Everex Communications Inc. and Jungo Software Technologies Inc. Partner to Provide a Complete Broadband IAD/Intelligent Gateway Solution.

• Intrusion.com, Inc. (RICHARDSON, Texas): Intrusion.com Announces Affordable, Easy to Deploy, High Speed Network Intrusion Detection System. The PDS appliances use hardened Red Hat Linux and open Intel architecture.

• TUXIA (BLOOMFIELD, N.J.): TUXIA Announces U.S. Launch of its Embedded Linux-Based Technology for Internet Appliances and Thin Clients.

Products With Linux Versions

• Aries Systems Corporation (NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.): DocuRights(R) Enhanced to Support Linux, Reinforcing Aries' Strategic Focus on Digital Rights Management for STM (Scientific, Technical and Medical) Publishers.

• Barnes & Noble.com (NEW YORK): Barnes & Noble.com and MightyWords Team To Expand Digital Content Beyond eBooks.

• Boulder Instruments (Longmont, Colorado): Boulder Instruments adds Linux Support to it's real-time PCI/CPCI Recorders.

• Covalent Technologies, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO): Covalent Technologies To Optimize Covalent SSL for Intel's Itanium Processor Platform.

• Cyber-Ark (DEDHAM, Mass.): Cyber-Ark Adds Comprehensive E-Mail Security Options; PrivateArk 'Network Vault' Provides Added Security for Business Communications.

• ESET Software (San Diego, CA): NOD32 Best of the Next Gen Anti-Virus Systems.

• GDA Technologies (SAN JOSE, Calif.): GDA Technologies, Inc. delivers working platform for FiberCycle's 206 WebBunker Server.

• General Micro Systems (SAN FRANCISCO): General Micro Systems Announces Hot-Swappable, CompactPCI CPU Board For Telecom Applications.

• Hewlett-Packard Company (SAN FRANCISCO): HP Introduces Software, Services and Alliances to Help Businesses Provide Secure e-Commerce. HP announced enhancements to the HP Netaction software suite for security software, services and alliances.

• International Messaging Associates (Hong Kong): IEMS5 users get US off on beta purchase. Beta participants of the Linux-Windows-based Internet Exchange Messaging Server (IEMS) 5 shall get a US$300 price off if they purchase the messaging solution now rather than wait for its forthcoming official release.

• Litronic Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO): Litronic Increases SSL Transaction Speeds With Easy Install SSP CipherAccelerator, Simplifies Faster Online Authentication.

• Mainsoft Corporation (SAN JOSE, Calif.): Mainsoft Unveils Patent Pending Technology That Adds Platform Independence To Microsoft Visual Studio.

• Motorola Computer Group (SAN FRANCISCO): Motorola Unveils Strategy to Provide Embedded Bluetooth Computing Solutions. Motorola announced its strategy to provide Bluetooth wireless technology on embedded infrastructures running on a choice of three operating systems (Linux(R), VxWorks(R) and Windows 2000(R)) and two architecture processors (PowerPC(R) and Intel(R)).

• Plato Design Systems, Inc. (SAN JOSE, Calif.): Plato Introduces NanoRoute for SoC Routing.

• SSH Communications Security (SAN FRANCISCO): Next-Generation SSH Secure Shell Offers Support for PKI, Smart Cards and Advanced Encryption Standard.

• Synquiry (BELMONT, Mass.): Synquiry's Content Weaver Links Content by Context-Of-Use Facilitating Richer Exposure and Faster Location of Content.

• Tradia, Inc. (SAN JOSE, Calif.): InstantXML Turns Java Apps into Web Services; Tradia Software Creates Interoperability Between Java and Other Web Platforms. A version certified for the Linux platform and the WebLogic application server will be available shortly.

• VFZoom (BOSTON): VFZoom Unveils Version 2.2 of the First Truly Lossless, Scalable and Reversible File Format and Application Suite for Digital Images.

Java Products

• Cape Clear Software (SAN JOSE, Calif.): Cape Clear Releases World's First Web Services Platform with CapeConnect Two for J2EE.

• Espial (SAN JOSE, Calif.): Espial Escape 4.7 Browser Enhances User Experience.

• Persistence Software (SAN MATEO, Calif.): Persistence PowerTier 6.5 for J2EE App Server Upgrades to Support Broad Range of Platforms.

• SilverStream Software, Inc. (ORLANDO, Fla.): SilverStream Software Takes the Lead With Comprehensive Platform Support for J2EE.

Partnerships

• Great Bridge and bayMountain (NORFOLK, Va.): Great Bridge and bayMountain to Offer Enterprise Clients Expanded Open Source Solutions.

• Metrowerks (SAN FRANCISCO): Metrowerks Teams with I-Logix to Provide Complete Development Solutions for Applications Running on MicroControllers Through the PowerPC.

• Tri-Pacific Software, Inc. (ALAMEDA, CA): Tri-Pacific Software, Inc. Partners With Lineo, Inc And Ports RapidRMA Real-Time Tool Suite To LINUX Operating System .

• Trustix AS (OSLO): IBM has selected Linux Systems Administration Solutions from Trustix.

Personnel & New Offices

• Digital Creations (FREDERICKSBURG, Va.): Digital Creations, Leaders in Open Source Content Management Solutions, Names Luminant Executive CEO.

• LinuxIT (): LinuxIT Appoints New CTO. Dr David Hodges is LinuxIT's new Chief Technology Officer.

• RidgeRun, Inc. (BOISE, Idaho): RidgeRun Establishes New Offices in San Jose and Austin. Gary Oliverio from Red Hat and Sebastien Taveau from Proksim Software Join RidgeRun to Drive Market Adoption of DSPLinux(TM).

• ZF Micro Devices (PALO ALTO, Calif.): ZF Micro Devices Announces Waichiro Miki as Vice President of Asia Pacific Sales; ZF Micro Devices Now Positioned to Support High Demand in Asia for PC-on-a-Chip.

• ZF Micro Devices (PALO ALTO, Calif.): ZF Micro Devices Names Industry Veteran Chris Gill Vp Business Development and Marketing; Company builds staff to meet worldwide demand for ZFx86 PC-on-a-Chip.

Financial Results

• Magic Software Enterprises (OR YEHUDA, ISRAEL): Linux Software and Solutions Provider Magic Software Enterprises Announces 2001 Revenue and Earnings Expectations.

• Stratabase.com Inc. (ABBOTSFORD, BC): Stratabase Announces Strong Fourth Quarter and Year End Results. Stratabase is a developer of Open Source CRM and enterprise solutions.

Linux At Work

• Consystant (SAN FRANCISCO): Consystant Receives Multi-System Order from Matsushita; Matsushita Selects Consystant Software Environment for Building Automation and Next-generation Home Networking Products.

Other

• CodeWeavers, Inc. (SAN JOSE): CodeWeavers Plays Key Role in Creation of Buhl Data Services' Tax2001 Software For Linux.

• IDG World Expo (FRAMINGHAM, Mass.): IDG World Expo Expands 2002 Event Lineup With Five New Shows. The Worldwide Developers Conference @ LinuxWorld sounds interesting.

• Merlin Software Technologies International, Inc. (BURNABY, British Columbia): Merlin Announces SEC Registration.

• Mesa Internet Solutions (SANTA BARBARA, Calif.): MISEO Offers Innovative Office Suite Online. MIS has made every effort to use software from the open source community whenever possible.

• Wasabi Systems (NEW YORK): Wasabi Systems Welcomes Wind River's Endorsement of BSD Operating System.

Section Editor: Rebecca Sobol.

Next: Linux in the news