Thanks to David A.
Gatwood for this announcement.
SAN JOSE, Calif.–June 21, 1999– Force Computers, a Solectron
subsidiary (NYSE:SLR – news) and a leader in embedded computing, today
announced it is working with MontaVista Software, Inc. to provide
the Linux operating system for use in embedded and real-time
computer applications.
Called “Hard Hat Linux”, this new offering is being developed
by MontaVista, initially for use with Force’s Pentium® II
processor-based CPCI-730 single board CompactPCI® computer.
MontaVista will eventually offer Hard Hat Linux on both the
Intel® and PowerPC(TM) microprocessor architectures across a
broad range of CompactPCI and VME-based board- and system-level
products.
Hard Hat Linux will be the first operating system environment to
combine the extreme cost-effectiveness, openness, and flexibility
of Linux with the reliability, small memory footprint, and
real-time response attributes demanded by embedded systems OEMs.
MontaVista, founded by James Ready (founder of Ready Systems), will
provide full technical support, porting and customization
services.
Said James Ready, president of MontaVista, “By adapting Linux
to fit the needs of embedded developers, MontaVista’s Hard Hat
Linux offers a compelling combination of functionality,
performance, flexibility and reliability. Embedded developers will
now be able to join the worldwide Linux development community and
benefit from the enormous selection of device drivers, applications
as well as the functionality of Linux itself, and its extensive
support for Internet protocols and applications. Force Computers,
with its extensive range of embedded platforms, is perfectly
positioned to help us lead the Linux charge into embedded
computing.”
Said Chris Williams, vice president of marketing for Force,
“Until now, no one has taken the initiative to tailor Linux for
embedded system reliability and real-time response. MontaVista’s
executive team including founder James Ready and board member Jerry
Kirk (founder of Microtec Research) both have a strong history in
embedded systems software and a thorough understanding of OEM
requirements for support and longevity of supply. We are extremely
pleased to be working with this pioneering software company in
bringing the many benefits of Linux to embedded applications.”
Hard Hat Linux will be available to Force CPCI-730 customers in
Q3 of 1999. The first version, Hard Hat 1.0, is based on the Linux
2.2 kernel and is qualified and supported on Force hardware.
Special embedded features include headless booting and operation
(no keyboard, mouse or display required), and booting and
communication over the CompactPCI backplane. Future releases will
enhance the real-time response and be configurable to minimize the
memory footprint. A comprehensive suite of development tools,
including optimizing compilers for C, C++ and other languages,
high-level debuggers, and performance monitoring tools will be
available on first release.
About Force Computers
Force Computers (www.forcecomputers.com) was
founded in 1981 and is a leading worldwide supplier of open,
scalable system and board-level computer platforms for the embedded
market. The processor-independent company delivers products based
on SPARC®, Pentium®, PowerPC and 68K technologies. An ISO
9001 certified company, Force Computers practices Total Quality
Management principles in all phases of the company’s global
operations. The company, along with its parent company, Solectron
Corporation, is the 1997 winner of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige
National Quality Award for Manufacturing. Force’s corporate
headquarters is located in San Jose, California. Force’s European
headquarters is located in Munich, Germany, and the company’s
Japanese headquarters is located in Tokyo, Japan.
About MontaVista Software
MontaVista Software, Inc. was founded in April of 1999 by James
F. Ready. The company is dedicated to delivering Open Source
Software solutions for the worldwide embedded software market. Its
principal offering is the Linux Operating System tailored for the
needs of embedded software developers. MontaVista products include
Hard Hat Linux, a standard off-the-shelf binary distribution of
Linux for PowerPC and x86 architectures. Hard Hat Linux is
supported by a comprehensive development tool suite including
optimizing compilers for C,C++ and other languages,
high-level-language debuggers and performance monitoring tools. The
company also provides Linux porting and customization services for
customers worldwide. For further information, contact Jim Ready at
408/328-9200 or by email: jim@mvista.com
Note to Editors: All brands are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
Contact:
Force Computers Inc.
Stacy Geise, 408/369-6144
Stacy.Geise@fci.com
or
Force Computers GmbH (Europe and Asia)
Sylvia Koenig, +49 89 608 14-0
syko@force.de
or
MontaVista
James Ready, 408/328-9207
jim@mvista.com