From:	 Annette Oevermann <aoevermann@pacifico.com>
To:	 <lwn@lwn.net>
Subject: MontaVista Releases New Version of Linux OS and Toolkit
Date:	 Mon, 28 Jan 2002 11:15:09 -0800

MontaVista Linux 2.1 Debuts at Linux World and Linux Expo
Features Increased Hardware and Software Support, Tools and Real-time
Capabilities

NEW YORK and PARIS ‹ Jan. 29, 2002 ‹ MontaVista Software Inc., the company
powering the embedded revolution, today announced MontaVista� Linux® 2.1,
the next generation of the company¹s classic embedded operating platform.
The feature-rich release enables an even broader range of embedded
applications, providing a standard platform for designs in communications
infrastructure, networking, consumer electronics, instrumentation and
control.
 
The hallmarks of MontaVista Linux 2.1 are breadth and depth. The product
boasts unrivaled development support for embedded processor architectures,
CPU boards and software components. MontaVista Linux 2.1 targets more than
20 processors from six industry-leading architectures, including x86/IA-32,
PowerPC, StrongARM, XScale, ARM, MIPS and SH. These CPUs populate the more
than 60 boards supported in the release, including 18 new boards.
 
MontaVista Linux 2.1 focuses on cross-development capability, with tools
hosted on 14 host environments, including Red Hat, Yellow Dog Linux, SuSE,
Mandrake, Solaris and VMWare on Windows NT/2000. In most cases, MontaVista
Linux 2.1 supports the most recent versions of these hosts.
 
MontaVista Linux 2.1 is based on the latest Linux kernel, 2.4.17. It also
offers MontaVista¹s real-time enhancements to the Linux kernel, including
preemptibility on the x86, MIPS, SH and PowerPC architectures.
 
Host-based tools and embedded target-based deployment components comprise
the more than 215 software packages in the release. MontaVista Linux 2.1
enables 15 new embedded applications packages. Additional add-ons include
support for the ³thttpd,² a small footprint embedded server, and for the
802.11b wireless communications standard. In addition, the product initially
provides updates for 75 of the applications already supported
by MontaVista.
 
Growing List of Tools
With this release, MontaVista also expands support for a variety of open
source tools retargeted for embedded cross development, including the first
MontaVista development environment powered by KDevelop ­ an award-winning
open source integrated development environment (IDE). It also adds an
updated Linux trace tool (including kernel performance and execution
analyzer), which is now available for the x86 and PowerPC. Also new in this
release is ³Ext3,² a complementary journaling file system, that is now
available in addition to MontaVista¹s current offerings of Reiser and JFFS.
 
³Once again, MontaVista takes the lead in delivering open source embedded
software solutions,² said Sheila Baker, MontaVista¹s vice president of
marketing. ³MontaVista Linux 2.1 will give additional capabilities to
embedded designers in a variety of industries, to help them speed
high-performance products to market in a cost-effective manner.²
 
Strong Documentation Suite
With MontaVista Linux 2.1, the company has also significantly enhanced its
customer documentation. Because the new written materials follow a typical
development cycle, developers using MontaVista Linux will encounter a far
more comfortable and user-friendly experience. New individual and customized
³Quick Start Guides² for each supported board are also included in this
version.
 
Availability
MontaVista Linux 2.1 Professional Edition will be available in March 2002,
directly from MontaVista Software and MontaVista¹s distribution channels
worldwide. It is offered as a product subscription, providing customers with
the MontaVista Linux kernel, utilities, development tools, software updates,
access to the MontaVista Zone and one year of technical support. MontaVista
Linux 2.1 is open source, royalty-free and built from 100 percent pure Linux
sources.
 
About the Name ­ MontaVista Linux
MontaVista has been shipping versions of Hard Hat® Linux® for more than two
years. With this next generation of the company¹s flagship product, the name
is changing to MontaVista Linux. The name change reflects the strong
reputation and recognition of the MontaVista name, and allows the company to
focus exclusively on the MontaVista brand. All other future products will
also be renamed to reflect the MontaVista brand. This change is effective
with the new release.
 
MontaVista Linux 2.1 will be demonstrated at Linux World and Expo in New
York City from January 30 through February 1, 2002, in booth # 1549, and
from January 30 through February 1, 2002, at the Linux Expo in Paris, booth
# A25
 
About MontaVista Software Inc.
MontaVista Software Inc. powers the embedded revolution by providing
open-source systems software solutions for embedded developers. Founded in
1999 by real-time operating system (RTOS) pioneer James Ready, MontaVista's
principal products include MontaVista� Linux®, a Linux-based embedded source
and binary distribution, cross development platform and a set of tool kits
for x86/IA-32, PowerPC, StrongARM, MIPS, SH, ARM, XScale and other
microprocessor architectures. MontaVista offers developers a family of
products and services for embedded design and development targeted for
applications ranging from communications infrastructure to consumer devices.
MontaVista Software also provides several technology add-on products
addressing specific customer needs such as the Java development environment,
High Availability technology, powerful graphics toolkits and more.
 
Headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, in Sunnyvale, Calif.,
MontaVista Software is a privately held company funded by leading investors
such as Alloy Ventures, US Venture Partners, RRE Ventures, WR Hambrecht +
Co., IBM, Intel Capital and Sony Corporation. For more information about
MontaVista Software, please visit http://www.mvista.com,email
info@mvista.com or call (408) 328-9200.
 
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Hard Hat is a registered
trademark and MontaVista is a trademark of MontaVista Software Inc. All
other names mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks
of their respective companies.
  
Contacts: 
Joe Samagond
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
MontaVista Software Inc.
Phone (408) 328-9234
E-mail: jsamagond@mvista.com
 
Patricia Colby
PR Strategy and Business Development
Pacifico Inc. 
Phone (408) 293-8600 ext. 340
E-mail: pcolby@pacifico.com