FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (March 1, 1999) — Silicon Graphics, Inc.
(NYSE:SGI) today announced that it is embracing the Open Source
model of software development and will share key software
innovations with the fast growing Open Source community. Known as a
strong advocate for open technology, Silicon Graphics is committed
to contributing technology from its core competencies in
visualization and high-performance computing to the Open Source
community to help solve the toughest computing problems. The
company’s Open Source strategy is initially focused on solutions
for small servers for high-volume market areas.
“The Open Source software model is the future of UNIX(R)
software development. This fast-developing community of talented
and committed engineers is eager to work with higher levels of
technology,” said Kurt Akeley, vice president, chief scientist and
co-founder, Silicon Graphics. “With Silicon Graphics’ firm
commitment to accelerate adoption of the Open Source model, the
community will further extend its spectrum of highly innovative
applications and solutions.”
Silicon Graphics is currently building engineering teams to
develop and support Open Source products. Throughout 1999, Silicon
Graphics will migrate to the Open Source community key technology
from its IRIX(R) operating system, the first UNIX operating system
to support complete, integrated 64-bit and 32-bit environments.
IRIX was also the first operating system to support advanced ccNUMA
scalable features and the first to support advanced real-time and
graphics features. The IRIX operating system includes
state-of-the-art technology that enables increased system
scalablity and performance, memory management, high-performance
networking, system management and administration tools. Silicon
Graphics is actively reviewing how to deploy these technologies
into the Open Source community.
“Silicon Graphics and our customers are enthused about the
powerful future of Open Source software,” said John R. “Beau”
Vrolyk, senior vice president, Computer Systems Business Unit,
Silicon Graphics. “We have always pushed the envelope with our
technical computing leadership and embrace the challenge to create
innovative products for a wider community. By moving several key
features to the Open Source software community, SGI will be able to
provide its customers with optimal technology solutions while
raising the innovation bar.”
The company has a long history of involvement with the Open
Source community on projects, including working to provide
Linux(TM) on its Indy(R) line of workstations since 1996. In
December 1998, the company joined Linux International and
introduced support of Samba 2.0 for its Origin(TM) server line,
enabling data consolidation and the world’s fastest data sharing
among Microsoft(R) Windows(R) and UNIX platform clients. More
recently, on February 16, Silicon Graphics announced the release of
GLX source code into the Open Source community thereby setting the
stage for the acceleration of OpenGL(R) as the enabling foundation
for 3D graphics on all flavors of UNIX and Linux.
Silicon Graphics is also currently working with universities to
extend the capabilities of Linux on systems based on the MIPS(R)
architecture. Most recently, the company is providing an
Origin2000(TM) system to the Academic & Technical Computing
Department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Silicon Graphics, Inc. is a leading supplier of visual computing
and high-performance systems. The company offers the broadest range
of products in the industry — from low-end desktop workstations to
servers and high-end supercomputers. Key industries include
communications, energy, entertainment, government, manufacturing
and sciences. Silicon Graphics and its subsidiaries have offices
throughout the world and corporate headquarters in Mountain View,
California.
-end-
Silicon Graphics and OpenGL are registered trademarks, and the
Silicon Graphics logo, Origin and Origin2000 are trademarks, of
Silicon Graphics, Inc. Indy is a registered trademark used under
license in the U.S. and owned by Silicon Graphics, Inc. in other
countries worldwide. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United
States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open
Company, Ltd. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. All
other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their
respective owners.
All press materials are available at http://www.sgi.com/newsroom
For more information on OpenGL, please visit
http://www.sgi.com/newsroom/press_releases/1999/february/opengl.html
Media Contacts: Silicon Graphics, Inc. KVO Public Relations Ginny Babbitt, 650-933-2527 Bryan Taback, 650-919-2065 ginnyb@corp.sgi.com bryan_taback@kvo.com