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SnapGear Develops First Free Integrated Development Toolchain For Intel XScale processor
Open Source toolchain drastically reduces entry costs to developers of embedded appliances using the popular embedded Linux operating system. SnapGear Inc., a leading supplier of Internet security products and OEMable solutions, has announced a breakthrough in development support for the Intel XScale (IXP425) microprocessor. The open source environment brings together an Intel supported port combined with SnapGear's Linux expertise and readily available open source tools to provide enormous cost savings to developers who presently must pay thousands of dollars for development tools.
Chief Software Wizard at SnapGear, Greg Ungerer, said: "The uClinux distribution and build system already supports a range of
full MMU and MMU-less processors. But the addition of the Intel XScale
IXP425 processor support is big. We're really knocked out by the XScale
technology and excited by the sorts of devices we can now build with it
for our customers."
Using the new uClinux distribution, a single click selection will configure
the necessary Linux kernel, libraries and applications to build for the IXP425 processor board. Then a single invocation of the make utility will allow the developer to produce a
binary image ready to load and run on the IXP425 board. Conventional Linux developers will be familiar with the build process as it is based on standard Linux kernel configuration mechanisms.
The Intel XScale (IXP425) processor is an ARM-based RISC core which clocks up to 533MHz with 64k of cache. It is important to embedded product developers because of the degree of component integration which includes an on-chip SDRAM controller, 2 high-speed serial ports, 2 10/100Mbit Ethernet ports, UTOPIA interface for ATM / xDSL, PCI bus, host USB, and even an encryption accelerator.
The new tools are incorporated in a forthcoming release of the uClinux distribution that will be available in February 2003. The distribution will also include support for iAPx86 and Hitachi SuperH® cores and will be based upon the Linux 2.4 kernel with glibc-2.2.5, uClibc and more than 150 application packages.
Peter Cronk, President of SnapGear Inc., said: "All of SnapGear's
platforms and products embody Linux or uClinux build environments that we have
optimized for each customer. Our combined technology, security, and
manufacturing expertise enables us to rapidly build security-hardened,
Internet-ready custom appliances."
"SnapGear believes it is essential that we invest in open source
embedded Linux development as technology leaders. Our customers value
that we enable them to develop Linux solutions freely, and they also
appreciate how simple and risk-free we can make product development for
them, as partners."
More Information
About SnapGear, Inc.
SnapGear Inc. produces SnapGear VPN Firewall Appliances designed to provide Internet security and privacy of communications for business use. SnapGear Inc. also does complete custom engineering and provides turnkey development, design, manufacturing, and fulfillment services for a variety of customers across the globe. For more information on SnapGear products and services please visit http://www.snapgear.com">www.snapgear.com
SnapGear Inc. employs teams consisting of security experts with CERT and Defense Force backgrounds, embedded Linux experts, and seasoned electronics engineers. Present customers range from global telecommunications giants through to small enterprise end users. SnapGear's devices are used to provide managed VPN services right down to purpose-built solutions for industrial and commercial applications involving MP3 audio, multi-device monitoring, government regulatory monitoring, and Internet-protocol based telecommunications.
"SnapGear" is a trademark of SnapGear Inc. All other products, services, companies and publications are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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