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Enabling Technologies And
Development
June 2000

 

Chris Donner Linux Redux: It's No Joke 

BY CHRIS DONNER

Go Right To: 
Enabling Technologies And Development News

Linux And Telecommunications

How many jokes do you know that end with the punchline "high-availability embedded computing platform"? Not too many, I would guess. High availability is a dry subject. So relax -- it's not that you're losing anything in the telling. Embedded computing platforms just isn't a topic people readily laugh about.

There used to be a joke in the telecom world about Linux and it's place in the network, though. It went something like this: "Why didn't Linux cross into the central office?" The punchline? "Because it's not a high-availability embedded computing platform!" Ha ha ha... The point being (besides that telecom humor takes some getting used to) that companies like Sun, HP, and IBM have spent a lot of time developing operating systems and hardware that just plain run -- all the time. Desktop operating systems don't have the same requirements, and therefore they aren't up to snuff.

I recently had a chance to sit down and talk with some representatives from Motorola, and they are a big reason why this Linux joke is no longer told. (Thank them one, thank them all.) Because Motorola has taken Linux into the high-availability, embedded space with the announcement of their HA Linux.

HA Linux is available on Motorola's CPX8000 carrier-grade, NEBS-compliant platform, and it features a full array of telecom-oriented features, including: a hot swap controller and bridge module that allows dual system processors to access both I/O domains, hot swap capable active system elements, in service (green) and out of service (red) LEDs for each system component, an SNMP agent and System MIB for operations and network management integration, plus full compliance with the PICMG high-availability hot swap standard. To learn more about Motorola's HA Linux, go to www.mcg.mot.com/linux.

Similar moves are being made throughout the telecom space, as Linux gears up for a full-scale assault on the central office. While Linux never was really perceived as strictly a desktop player, recent press surrounding its popularity has focused on the threat of Linux to the Microsoft monopoly of the desktop. Motorola's initiative and the initiatives of others in this space are making Linux a much broader threat in many areas: desktop, central office, enterprise systems, PDAs, etc.

So while the desktop space is getting all the press and legal attention, the next-gen network and peripheral space is a much more interesting one to watch. Whatever people might think about Linux's chances on the desktop, it is certainly no joke here.

Enabling Technologies And Development News

eOn, Dialogic Sign Linux Letter Of Intent
Dialogic, an Intel company, and eOn Communications have signed a letter of intent in which the companies plan to work together to develop advanced Linux-based solutions for the communications market. eOn intends to port their computer telephony products to Dialogic Linux-based platforms to deliver advanced solutions for Linux, allowing eOn to offer customers contact center applications, unified communications servers, and digital communications platforms based on Dialogic components and a high performance OS at an entry-level price.
No. 506, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

MiTAC New SBC, The New MSC-3675
Late-breaking news (too late to place in this month's 24x7 article) has MiTAC Industrial Corporation announcing their MSC-3675 single board computer driven either by Intel's Celeron or Pentium III Coppermine processors. The MSC-3675 uses Intel's 440BX AGP chipset and 370 Socket Architecture at 300-700 MHz on a 66/100 bus clock rate. The MSC-3675 is a PICMG plug-in card with buffering that provides superior graphics supporting optional CRT and LCD displays backed up by optimum 2 MB of memory. The MSC-3675 is priced as low as $343, and is available with OEM volume discounts.
No. 507, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

General Micro ENET VIII Fast Ethernet Controller
General Micro Systems has announced ENET VIII, an eight-channel Fast Ethernet controller on a PMC card. Utilizing Intel 82559 Ethernet controllers packaged in micro Ball Grid Arrays (BGAs), the ENET VIII delivers higher port density than most PMC cards. The ENET VIII can be used with any SBC that provides PMC sites. "The ENET VIII's eight independent channels make it ideal for building smart, low-cost routers, adding multi-channel Ethernet to industrial systems, and enhancing network redundancy," said Ben Sharfi, CEO of General Micro Systems. The ENET VIII comes with drivers for Windows NT, VxWorks, and QNX, and it costs $599.
No. 508, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo

VA Linux Intros 1U Server
Keeping in mind the needs of customers in intensely space-conscious collocation environments, VA Linux Systems has announced the availability of the VA Linux System 1000 server, a high-performance, very high density rackmount server in a 1U format. "VA Linux Systems' high-performance, high-density 1U and 2U servers are designed to meet the reliability and scalability requirements of our customers in the Internet infrastructure and scientific computing markets," said Brian Biles, VP of marketing for VA Linux. "The Linux and Open Source expertise of our engineers enables us to design and fine-tune Linux systems that will provide our customers with significantly lower total costs of system ownership than proprietary solutions."
No. 509, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

Applied Micro, Monta Vista SW Team To Debug Embedded Linux
Applied Microsystems and Monta Vista Software are building on Applied's expertise in software development and Monta Vista's proficiency in embedded Linux to address the needs of developers designing products such as mobile networked computers, set-top boxes, Web-aware telephones, and other Internet-related tools. These applications require quality and reliability, and Applied and Monta Vista are looking to meet these requirements. Plans call for the integration of Applied's CodeTEST development tool and Monta Vista's Hard Hat Linux. CodeTEST offers superior performance, memory, coverage, and trace features, equating to significant productivity and reliability gains for embedded Linux developers.
No. 510, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

Netcom Changes Network Performance Test Automation With ScriptCenter
Netcom Systems announced ScriptCenter, a platform-independent scripting tool that runs on Windows, Linux, and UNIX. ScriptCenter is a simple GUI-based test development environment that greatly reduces script creation time and allows users to focus on tasks rather than command details. ScriptCenter significantly shortens the testing process by enabling the automatic generation of Tcl code based on visual scripting input, making it simpler than ever to write test scripts. ScriptCenter provides the user with a built-in editor, wizards, and GUI tools, including graphical widgets, a script navigator, and an HTML-based help system. Customers using ScriptCenter can start producing useful tests in a few hours instead of several days. ScriptCenter will greatly benefit users by shortening the test time for their products, enabling them to go to market more quickly and to ultimately generate revenues faster.
No. 511 , www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

Neoware Intros NeoLinux, Embedded Linux For B2B Appliances
Neoware Systems has introduced NeoLinux, an embedded Linux distribution designed specifically for B2B information appliances. Based upon Official Red Hat Linux, NeoLinux includes important features designed specifically for information appliances. Combined with Linux software from other companies, NeoLinux is designed to power a new generation of dedicated B2B information appliances such as cash registers, firewalls, routers, interactive Web kiosks, thin clients, security devices, and wireless appliances. Neoware's NeoLinux operating system includes the ability to run local Linux applications, which can be embedded with the operating system for a variety of vertical markets. In addition, NeoLinux provides access to Windows 2000 and NT servers across a network via the Citrix ICA protocol, allowing Neoware customers to access the wealth of applications for the Windows platform. The Netscape Navigator Web browser and a Java virtual machine are provided for Internet applications.
No. 512, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

Cybernet Announces Linux-Based VPN Software
Cybernet Systems has announced plans to introduce NetMAX VPN Server Suite, low-cost, Linux-based software aimed at mainstream businesses looking to create a VPN. "The NetMAX VPN Server Suite delivers the power, reliability, and flexibility of Linux and virtual private networking without any headaches," said Armando Pauker, Cybernet's VP of network products. "Companies can install and configure a basic business intranet with a few mouse clicks in as little as 15 minutes." NetMAX Server Suite is designed, among other things, for businesses looking to establish secure remote access between the corporate network and telecommuting/traveling employees.
No. 513, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

I-Bus Intros G8 SPARC cPCI System
I-Bus/Phoenix has announced the release of the new G8 Sparc CompactPCI System designed for use in the telecommunications and telephony markets. Standard features include a chassis, cPCI CPU board with a Sun Microsystems SPARC 1500 processor, 4 MB video card, 8-slot cPCI backplane, CD-ROM and floppy drives, and three 85 CFM fans. The system ships with Solaris 7 or 8 in any language installed. The G8 Sparc enclosure supports a continuous H.110 telephony bus across all expansion slots (including telephony voltages), and the fully integrated system starts at $11,896.
No. 514, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

OnCore Systems And Real-Time Embedded Linux
OnCore Systems states that its system has the capability to load a 100 percent pure version of Linux into an embedded environment and still run real-time apps in concert with traditional Linux apps. Using the OnCore Linux for Real-Time solution, real-time applications will run in predictable time limits without requiring modifications to the Linux operating environment. To maintain the characteristics that mission-critical, real-time tasks demand, OnCore's OS foundation allows real-time apps to fully preempt Linux apps and even the Linux kernel itself. OnCore states that, with the OnCore foundation, the time it takes to perform a context switch from any application to a real-time application is less than 8 microseconds. (Results obtained using a PowerPC 750 running at 266 MHz, internal bus speed of 66 MHz.)
No. 515, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

Eicon Adds Linux Support To Its WAN Cards
Eicon Technology announced the forthcoming release of its EiconCard Connections for Linux software. This complete WAN communications software program for use with Eicon's family of WAN cards provides total WAN connectivity for a wide range of Linux-based applications, such as Web Servers, Thin Server Appliances, or the new generation of Linux-based embedded systems. The first version supports Red Hat Linux. EiconCard Connections for Linux, combined with an EiconCard, provides the wide area communications needs for an easy-to-use, low-cost, and easy-to-manage communications server. The flexibility of the EiconCard, when combined with this software, provides powerful IP Routing over various WAN protocols. In addition, many Linux-based embedded systems, such as point-of-sales, can use the X.25 connectivity built into the EiconCard Connections for Linux.
No. 516, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

Spider Software Announces Networking Protocol Software For Linux
Spider Software has ported SpiderSTREAMS to Linux to provide a platform for the deployment of wide area communications protocols. Spider's implementation runs the STREAMS protocol stacks as a Linux process, and interacts with applications wishing to use the STREAMS services through a specially developed inter-process communication driver. This approach requires no modifications to the Linux kernel code, and will work well with real-time extensions. SpiderSTREAMS provides the means for Spider's Frame Relay, ISDN, X.25, TCP, and SS7 STREAMS-based protocol stacks to run on many OSs. Frame Relay and X.25 will be the first protocols to be deployed by Spider on Linux.
No. 517, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo 

Lynx Real-Time Systems Changes Name, Focus
Lynx Real-Time Systems has changed its name to LynuxWorks, Inc., to reflect its new focus on bringing the benefits of Linux to the embedded market. LynuxWorks is leveraging proven technology, 12 years of experience, and well-established relationships in embedded systems to address the diverse operating systems needs in telecommunications, networking, office automation, aerospace/defense and process control, as well as emerging Post-PC era applications in the consumer network appliance and related areas. "The embedded software world is fragmented and populated with proprietary solutions," said Inder Singh, chairman and CEO of LynuxWorks. "Linux offers developers freedom from being locked into proprietary products. Linux provides time-to-market and cost savings, benefits of a large number of experienced users, a variety of platforms, a fast-growing tool base, and easy access to thousands of third-party applications."
No. 518, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
 


Linux And Telecommunications

BY ART HERZOG

Today, many enterprise solution developers and public enterprise service providers in the telecommunications industry are asking themselves the same questions: What does Linux mean for me? Is Linux ready for my business, and is my business ready for Linux? Can I afford to support Linux? Can I afford not to? Even this amount of serious consideration from the telecommunications industry signals that Linux has come a very long way over the last few years.

Long known for proprietary solutions, the telecommunications industry has finally grown to understand that open systems solutions are good for both the industry and its customers. But the concept of open solutions needs to be made real and viable to be effective for businesses.

Today, Linux is both real and reliable. Over the last few years, an industry has grown up around the Linux developer community. Customers now have their choice of quality binary Linux distributions from companies like Red Hat, Caldera, and others. These companies, and other specialty service companies like LinuxCare, offer quality services for Linux products. Perhaps most important to many telecommunications customers, Linux is also available from their traditional solution providers like Compaq, IBM, and others.

So the telecommunications industry has another reliable, scalable, high-performance operating environment on which to build its solutions. But what makes Linux more appropriate than their existing environments that provide these same attributes?

These are times of disruptive change in the industry, and Linux offers two specific benefits to those who are able and willing to take advantage of the opportunity they offer. The first benefit is cost. Linux has an extremely low entry cost, although the total cost of ownership will vary depending on the application. Just as Linux has lowered the entry barrier for providers of new and innovative services for the Internet economy, it is poised to do the same for the telecommunications industry.

The second opportunity Linux offers is the ability to implement the convergence of voice and data. With the focus shifting to customers and services, and away from the traditional infrastructure-centric focus, Linux is strongly positioned at the crossroads of these two traditionally separate industries. Linux has helped to accelerate the evolution of Internet based ebusiness services and it has the potential to do the same for the evolution and integration of telephony-based services.

Despite all of this, some are quick to point out that Linux isn't a perfect solution. The operating system is still maturing, and its openness has led to the emergence of a number of variants reminiscent of the UNIX wars. The jury is still out on its ultimate success and position in the industry. Will Linux replace UNIX or Windows? That isn't clear. But it is also unclear whether Linux even needs to displace today's standard operating systems to be a successful alternative for those who choose it.

So why Linux? Perhaps the most compelling reason is that success breeds success. The success and growth of Linux has extended over a period of time and throughout the industry. This provides strong evidence that it is real and here to stay. Linux is working for many enterprise solution developers and public network service providers. Why not put it to work for you, too?

Art Herzog is strategic marketing manager of Dialogic, an Intel Company. For more information, please visit their Web site at dialogic.com.







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