LynuxWorks has joined Xilinx's third party network, and the two companies have pledged to jointly optimize LynuxWorks's embedded operating systems for Xilinx's Virtex-4 family of FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays). The Virtex-4 family includes an FX line capable of running embedded Linux on one or dual PowerPC softcores. (more…)

Foreword: This technical article introduces initramfs, a Linux 2.6 feature that enables an initial root filesystem and init program to reside in kernel memory cache, rather than on a ramdisk, as with initrd filesystems. (more…)

This guest column by Wasabi VP and General Counsel Jay Michaelson responds to a reaction from Free Software Foundation General Counsel Eban Moglen to a (more…)

Wind River says its commercial embedded Linux implementation for networking applications supports a low-voltage, dual-core Xeon processor shipped today by Intel. Wind River's Platform for Network Equipment (PNE), Linux Edition, is available now with “architecture support” for Intel's Dual-Core Xeon LV, it says. (more…)

This whitepaper discusses security challenges posed by voice over IP (VoIP) communications in wired and wireless devices, such as VoIP servers, gateways, telephones, and mobile handhelds. The author describes a number of techniques that can be used by developers to help protect VoIP devices from security breeches. (more…)

[Updated Mar. 22] — A European embedded computing specialist has announced a wrist-worn wearable computer that runs embedded Linux or Windows CE. Eurotech's WWPC (“wrist-worn PC”) offers standard PC interfaces, along with several innovative wearable-specific features, the company claims. (more…)

SyChip will soon sample a chip-scale module (CSM) aimed at making VoIP phones more competitive with mobile phones in terms of battery life. The VWLAN7101 CSM supports Linux, and integrates an 802.11b/g WLAN modem, baseband processor, MAC, and a new “SV1000 VoIP Engine” said to improve VoIP call processing efficiency. (more…)

Foreword: This whitepaper discusses the security challenges posed by voice over IP (VoIP) communications in wired and wireless devices such as VoIP servers, gateways, telephones, and mobile handhelds. The author describes a number of techniques that can be used by developers to help protect VoIP devices from security breeches. (more…)

A secure networking products and service company in Finland is shipping a GPL'd VPN (virtual private network) stack for the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet. Stinghorn says its Secure Business Suite (SBS) client gives 770 users access corporate resources protected by its L2TP/IPsec VPN gateway, including email, instant… (more…)

Technologic Systems is shipping an ultra-low-powered SBC (single-board computer) for solar and battery-powered applications. The ARM9-based TS-7260 RevB has flexible input power needs, comes with an embedded Linux 2.4.29 development kit, and can be configured with an SD card slot, custom logic port, or extra TTLs. (more…)

FSMLabs says its commercial real-time Linux operating system now supports two PowerPC-based processors from AMCC targeting storage, networking, software-defined radio, data acquisition, and motor control. RTLinux is available now for AMCC's general-purpose 440EP, as well as its 440GP low-power storage and networking processor. (more…)

New Intel technology could improve desktop and embedded PC performance and battery life significantly, by reducing hard drive latency and minimizing drive activity. Intel's “Robson” technology uses a flash-based nonvolatile memory buffer and intelligent prefetcher to realize a host of potential benefits, according to an article at ExtremeTech. (more…)

A radio module vendor in Italy has launched a line of wireless access points (WAPs) and other infrastructure equipment based on what it calls a “completely open carrier class integrated platform.” Essentia's “Wifless” line comprises surveillance equipment, as well as carrier, enterprise, and military access equipment –… (more…)

Via has announced a next-generation family of mini-ITX boards based on its new C7 processor family. “Epia EN” boards will offer a large performance boost over previous Epia boards, Via says. They target thin clients, car PCs, robotics, medical equipment, kiosks, and server appliances.

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Number two telecom OS provider Enea will release its direct, asynchronous message-passing software for distributed systems under an open source license in June. Described as the “cornerstone” of Enea's telecom RTOSes, the “Linx” IPC (inter-process communications) software scales better than other freely available IPC technologies, such as TIPC (transparent IPC) and Unix sockets, Enea claims. (more…)