From:	 Miles Gillham <miles@snapgear.com>
To:	 lwn@lwn.net
Subject: uClinux Marches in Step with Linux Kernel
Date:	 Thu, 24 Jan 2002 05:48:09 -0600 (CST)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UCLINUX MARCHES IN STEP WITH LINUX KERNEL
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - January 24, 2002 - SnapGear Inc, a leading supplier of
consumer VPN Router appliances and OEM custom design solutions has released a
new update of the uClinux kernel based upon the recent Linux 2.4.17 kernel.

The update keeps uClinux in sync with current Linux kernel development and
brings with it increased device support, mature TCP/IP stack and the new ext3
journaling filesystem support which can play a crucial part in helping
embedded systems boot faster while preserving data integrity.

Not a separate fork but rather a "shadowing" of the mainstream Linux kernel,
uClinux is the world's favourite embedded Linux choice for system
architectures lacking a MMU (Memory Management Unit) such as DSP (Digital
Signal Processor) and SoC (System On Chip) embedded systems.

Many developers are comfortable with the Linux API, citing stability,
maturity, well-supported development and a wealth of applications as key
reasons for choosing Linux. The real undiscovered country for Linux is
finding a home in the abundance of tiny appliances that form over 90% of
embedded system deployment. The micro-processors found in these systems often
lack a MMU as part of miniaturization and cost-reduction. However, without an
MMU a micro-processor poses some barriers to conventional Linux because of
the flat memory model - no virtual memory (paging/swapping), memory address
translation (segmentation), or memory protection (eg segmentation violations).

uClinux gives a transition from Linux to MMUless processors by providing a
consistent Linux API built around a modified compiler and libraries that
provide a seamless transition for experience Linux developers. There are
additional changes as a consequence of the memory model such as the absence
of the fork() system call, which is replaced with the BSD vfork(). Also,
because memory is unprotected programmers must take particular care in their
application development. SnapGear has added significantly to the uClinux
project by adding value in advanced memory allocation schemes and XIP
(eXecute In Place) technology which allows developers to extend their
utilization of limited ROM/Flash and RAM resources. New boot loader
technology allows rapid turnaround in the development cycle by compressing
the compile/load/test cycle to literally seconds while providing fail-safe
configurations for remotely upgradable products.

Many conventional Linux applications can be ported to uClinux in as little
time as a single day. uClinux kernel support exists for ARM7, m68k, Motorola
ColdFire, SPARC and new architectures such as the NEC v850. SnapGear provides
over 20 pre-canned configurations for board support to bring up many standard
development boards from companies such as Motorola, Atmel, NetSilicon, Lineo,
and even SnapGear's SecureEdge family of reference designs. Developers will
find it easy to add new board support.

About uClinux
uClinux, or "Micro-Controller Linux", is the popular variant of mainstream
Linux specifically for MMU-less processors for deeply embedded systems,
adopted by companies such as Lineo and Red Hat. Many commercial applications
of uClinux have become possible due to the small footprint (as little as half
a megabyte of RAM for a complete multi-tasking kernel and networking stack.)
It is now possible to build Linux appliances as small as an inch by an inch
with 4Mb each of Flash and RAM yielding Internet-ready products. For more
information on uClinux please visit http://www.uclinux.org

About SnapGear, Inc.
SnapGear Inc is a company renowned for embedded Linux expertise and uClinux
leadership. SnapGear Inc manufactures the popular SnapGear VPN Routers along
with SecureEdge custom design solutions and has produced turnkey development,
design, and manufacturing, fulfillment services for major telecommunications
companies and silicon manufacturers. For more information on SnapGear please
visit http://www.snapgear.com. For more information on SecureEdge reference
designs, development platforms and services please visit
http://www.secureedge.net

SnapGear and SecureEdge are registered trademarks of SnapGear Inc. Linux is a
registered trademark owned by Linus Torvalds. uClinux is a trademark of Lineo
Inc. All other products, services, companies and publications are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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