From:	 "Rhett Glauser" <rhett.glauser@lonepeak360.com>
To:	 "Linux Weekly News" <lwn@lwn.net>
Subject: Lineo releases legacy application code migration tools, Embedix BridgeWorks VX and PS
Date:	 Tue, 22 Jan 2002 11:08:09 -0700

Dear Linux,

Lineo(r) today announced the availability of Embedix(r) BridgeWorks(tm) VX
and PS to allow developers of applications initially built on WindRiver
operating systems to migrate application code to run on the Linux operating
system.

Embedix BridgeWorks VX and PS are the first hard real-time solutions for
porting legacy code from VxWorks(tm) or pSOS+(tm) to embedded Linux. Unlike
previous legacy migration tools that use translation techniques, Embedix
BridgeWorks VX and PS provides a new, clean room implementation of RTOS
services that operates natively on the legacy API and runs ahead of Linux.

The complete press release is included below. Please contact me for more
information or to set up an interview.

Regards,

Rhett Glauser
Lone Peak Communications for Lineo
801-356-0650

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LINEO ANNOUNCES EMBEDIX BRIDGEWORKS VX AND PS

Embedix BridgeWorks VX and PS Master Legacy Application Code Migration

SALT LAKE CITY - January 22, 2002 -- Lineo(r), Inc., a leading innovator of
embedded operating system software and host development environments to
enable vertical software stacks, today announced Lineo Embedix(r)
BridgeWorks(tm) VX and PS, the first hard real-time solutions for porting
legacy code from VxWorks(tm) or pSOS+(tm) to embedded Linux.

Current state of legacy migration solutions
Solutions for migrating legacy applications from one operating system to
another typically employ a translation layer that emulates calls to the
legacy RTOS services using one or more API from the replacement operating
system. Fundamentally important is the ability of the translation layer to
closely emulate both the functionality and performance of the legacy RTOS. A
functionally equivalent emulation imposes additional overhead, thereby
altering real-time characteristics and reducing application performance.
However, incorrect emulation can lead to unexpected or undesirable effects
to both functionality and performance, resulting from differences in the
basic architecture of the legacy RTOS and the replacement operating system.

The translation technique causes performance deterioration that is
compounded by moving from a hard real-time operating system to an inherently
non-real-time operating system such as Linux. Unlike functionality
complications, which can often be minimized with code changes to the
translation layer, the legacy application code or the translated application
code, the underlying operating system may cause performance problems to
which there is no easy remedy.

The Lineo solution for effective legacy migration
Lineo Embedix BridgeWorks VX and PS avoid inherent complications with
functionality and underlying operating systems by not using a translation
technique. Instead, Lineo has created a new, clean room implementation of
RTOS services that operates natively on the legacy API and runs ahead of
Linux. The advantages of this architecture include:
* Real-time services with microsecond performance by default.
* Best possible performance. Linux kernel activities cannot impede the
legacy API real-time layer.
* No translation / emulation complications.
* Flat memory model, as used by the legacy RTOS.
* User applications have full access to Linux services.
* Elimination of dependency on original legacy RTOS vendor.
* No dual-kernel patent issues.
* Migrated legacy applications are not required to be released under an open
source license.

"Many developers who use a legacy RTOS in their projects have been searching
for alternative solutions but have been hesitant to move too far from their
roots due to man-years of investment in their product development," said
Alford Frost, Lineo SVP marketing and business development. "Embedix
BridgeWorks VX and PS provide the complete alternative for developers to
move embedded projects away from closed legacy code, without losing
functionality or performance, to an open code solution."

Licensing and availability
Lineo provides the Embedix BridgeWorks VX and PS products (including a
comprehensive migration guide) as optional packages for integration with the
Lineo Embedix SDK and the associated Lineo board support package. Embedix
BridgeWorks VX and PS add-ins are available in Jan. 2002 for x86 platforms
and later in Q1 2002 for PPC and MIPS platforms. Each add-in is available
for $2500 for the first seat and $1500 for each additional seat. Source code
for both products is available under an optional license. Contact Lineo
sales by email at info@lineo.com or by phone at (801) 426-5001.

About Lineo, Inc.
Lineo(r), Inc. provides embedded systems and real-time solutions that cover
the full spectrum of embedded development, including operating system
software, host development environments and professional services. Lineo
distributes solutions that allow OEMs to create smart embedded devices and
systems while helping OEMs to reduce system requirements, per-unit costs and
time-to-market. Lineo's key product lines include: Embedix(r) SDK (a fully
featured and integrated embedded developer tool chain), Embedix(r) (embedded
Linux system software for MMU-less and MMU-full processors), Embedix(r)
BridgeWorks(tm) (operating systems and tools for multiprocessor device
support and legacy code migration) and RTXC(tm) Quadros(tm) (a highly
configurable microprocessor and DSP real-time operating system). Contact
Lineo at http://www.lineo.com, via e-mail to info@lineo.com or by calling
(801) 426-5001.

# # #

Lineo and Embedix are registered trademarks of Lineo, Inc. BridgeWorks, RTXC
and Quadros are trademarks of Lineo, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark
owned by Linus Torvalds. All other products, services, companies and
publications are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.