Agere Systems (formerly known as the Microelectronics Group of Lucent Technologies) has announced an ADSL chipset for residential gateway, home networking, and personal computer (PC) equipment that includes the software required to work with the Linux operating system, which is increasing in use.

“Manufacturers of residential gateway, home networking, and PC equipment are using the Linux operating system because of its low licensing fees and its open software code architecture, which promotes interoperability among different systems and appliances,” according to Agere.

In addition to providing support for Linux, Aagere will also provide software for the chipset that handles various specialized communications functions, including: an adaptation layer for asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and segmentation and reassembly of ATM packets functions; network protocols including point-to-point protocol (PPP) over Ethernet and ATM; and Internet Protocol over ATM bridging and routing functions. The software also includes an extensive diagnostics tool to help the modem user and the service provider to improve modem connectivity and check the status of ADSL network connections.

Ucentric's home networking reference design

Massachusetts-based Ucentric Systems is using the new Agere Systems ADSL chipset as the basis of a hardware reference design to be offered to manufacturers designing home networking products. The “Ucentric Home Networking Platform” consists of a Linux-based operating system, application server, and hardware reference design.

“We currently support Ethernet, HPNA, HomeRF, 802.11 on the LAN side, and cable, DSL, and fixed wireless on the WAN,” said Nick Chakalos, Director of Product Management at Ucentric. “We also provide connectivity to standard television (CATV), standard telephones (POTS), and broadcast band FM stereo.”

Asked why Ucentric decided on Linux as the operating system embedded in the new home networking reference design, Chakalos replied “The primary reason is stability — we needed a solid OS core that would stay up for months on end. Second reason is open source — we needed to get into the kernel and make some modifications for greater security; control over scheduling, resource allocation, and quality of service; etc. Third reason is cost — in order to keep the overall cost down for our OEMs who are manufacturing the product. Fourth reason is that it allows us to leverage an open developer community.”

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.