“Last Fall, embedded real-time operating system (RTOS)
vendor Lynx Real-Time Systems announced an ambitious strategy to
hitch its fortunes to the emerging Linux bandwagon. While
continuing to promote its proprietary UNIX-like (POSIX compliant)
LynxOS RTOS, Lynx embarked on a plan to embrace Linux in two ways:
a new Linux based product, BlueCat Linux, which the company would
aggressively promote, sell, and support; modifications to their
existing product, LynxOS, to provide full Linux application binary
compatibility. A month ago, Lynx Real-Time Systems embraced Linux
in an even more intimate manner — by changing its name to
LynuxWorks, Inc.”
“Today, evidencing that their Linux strategy has
paid off in a big way, LynuxWorks announced completion of a
round of private financing totaling $35M. … Dr. Inder Singh,
Chairman and CEO of LynuxWorks, says his company plans to use the
funding to develop and deploy “Linux-based technology in embedded
systems ranging from Internet appliances and hand-held wireless
devices, to communications infrastructure and mission critical
air-traffic control modules.” The company will also expand research
and development of high availability products for the
telecommunications, data communications, and aerospace
markets.”
“Some embedded Linux companies have characterized LynuxWorks’
dual OS strategy as a “bait and switch” tactic. In response to such
assertions, Singh emphasizes that both Linux and LynxOS are
important to his company and to its current and future customer
base.”
“We have major design wins on both sides — BlueCat and LynxOS,”
says Singh. “There’s a lot of synergy and as a result some
customers are using both, either within different parts of one
product, or within separate product lines. The tools, too, are
quite similar, and will become even closer to each other in the
future.”