By Jeff Alami
Linux was once notorious for its lack of hardware support.
Fortunately, the Open Source model created an environment where
developers could create hardware drivers and contribute them to the
Linux kernel or the XFree86 project. However, Open Source scares
some hardware vendors, because they would have to release technical
specifications to the public. Recently, the Linux market has become
large enough to attract even the over-protective hardware
vendors.
Best Power
Best Power is best known
for providing high-end uninterruptible power supplies. They’re also
well known in the Linux community for providing the best support
for the Linux platform, as well as several other UNIX platforms.
Source code for their serial interfaces is provided, which enables
the end user to add customisations to the drivers.
APC, the biggest player in
the UPS market, has just now decided to support the Linux platform.
Other UPS companies, such as TrippLite and MGE have supported Linux with
software, albeit in binary-only format.
Logitech
Most of Logitech‘s mice
and game controllers work under Linux with fully Open Source
drivers. This is due to Logitech’s willingness to provide
specifications and assistance to independent Linux developers. The
result of Logitech’s relative enlightenment in the human input
arena has produced good results, including support for their wheel
mouse products and a wide range of gamepads and joysticks.
Unfortunately, Logitech hasn’t done the same for their camera
products. They are apparently reluctant to release their
specifications for the QuickCam VC camera they acquired from
Connectix. So if you’re planning to purchase a QuickCam VC and
you’re using Linux, let Logitech know that you’re looking for Linux
support.
Matrox
Matrox was once a company
that was on the Linux hardware blacklist, a long time ago. When
they did change around, they provided the necessary specifications
that resulted in Matrox products being the the fastest cards for
XFree86. With the Matrox MGA-G200 chip, Matrox has recently
provided full
2-D and 3-D specifications, making highly accelerated X Window
System and OpenGL drivers possible. Since then, a project
has developed that is working towards having G200 acceleration for
SGI‘s Open Source release of GLX.
We’ll just have to wait and see if Matrox will do a repeat
performance with their upcoming G400 series of video products.
Plenty of other Linux-friendly hardware vendors exist. AMD provides complete specifications to
their 3DNow! instructions, allowing 3DNow! instructions to be
included in Linux applications such as mpg123.
Adaptec, AdvanSys, ICP Vortex, and
Mylex provide Linux drivers for
their SCSI and RAID products. 3Com, LinkSys, Netgear, and Sangoma support Linux with their
Ethernet, LAN, and WAN products. Cyclades, Digi, and Equinox, also support Linux with
their serial products.
Copyright
(C) 1999 Zeta Publications. (Reproduced from Bleeding Edge Magazine)