A project to create a lightweight, embeddable database is beta testing its second release. Firebird 2.0 features derived tables, support for “execute block,” increased table sizes, improved index code, and numerous other improvements. Beta kits are available for Linux on i686, i686-NPTL, and AMD64, as well as Windows. (more…)

Wi-Fi Planet has published a story about turning Linksys's ubiquitous, Linux-based (versions 1-4) WRT54G into the functional equivalent of a $600 enterprise router, by installing community-developed firmware that adds features such as Radius authentication, WPA2 encryption, VoIP QoS… (more…)

LinuxDevices.com is pleased to publish the proceedings from the Seventh Real-Time Linux Workshop held in France, November 3-4, 2005, at the University for Science and Technology of Lille (USTL). The papers span a range of topics, from fundamental real-time technologies to applications, hardware, and tools. (more…)

The Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF) has scheduled a technical mini-conference for Nov. 30 in San Jose, Calif. The one-day conference will be open to anyone wishing to attend, and will feature presentations on a variety of technical topics, followed by BOF (birds-of-a-feather) sessions. (more…)

An embedded Linux training and consulting firm in the South of France has published a free training presentation on optimizing the Linux kernel for speed, size, RAM, power, and/or hardware cost. The new Free Electrons presentation aims to increase the visibility of work done by the Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF), according to creator Michael Opdenacker. (more…)

Lippert is shipping a MIPS-Linux powered PCI-104 board targeting remote sensor gateway applications. The “Cool MoteMaster” is powered by a 500MHz Alchemy Au1550 processor, has an onboard 802.15.4 transceiver, and was designed with input from RUNES (Reconfigurable Ubiquitous Network Embedded Systems). (more…)

LinuxDevices.com is pleased to publish the proceedings from the Seventh Real-Time Linux Workshop held in Lille, France, November 3-4, 2005, at the University for Science and Technology of Lille (USTL). The papers span a broad range of topics, ranging from fundamental real-time technologies to applications, hardware, and tools. (more…)

Trango is shipping virtualization technology targeting SoC (system-on-chip) designers creating MIPS, ARM, and PPC chips for secure set-top boxes, mobile phones, nework equipment, and certified systems. The Trango hypervisor comprises a 20KB microkernel that allows two or more guest OSes to run in CPU user mode on a single core. (more…)

[Updated Nov. 18] — Realm Systems used Certicom's embedded VPN (virtual private network) stack in a Linux-based gadget aimed at providing roaming workers with secure access to sensitive data. The Mobile Personal Server (MPS) uses Certicom's Security Builder IPSec stack, and will ship in Q1, 2006. (more…)

Oki Electric Industry Co. Ltd. has developed technology that can add animated faces to instant messaging, networked gaming, and other real-time communications used on mobile phones and PCs. Oki's “FaceCommunicator” software leverages technology similar to the company's (more…)

Atmel is shipping what it calls the “first ultra low-power, deterministic microcontroller.” The AT91SAM9261 integrates an ARM9 core, USB2, and an LCD interface, costs less than $10 in volume, and consumes less than 400 microamps when clocked at 0.0005 MHz, Atmel claims. It supports Linux, and targets wireless handheld applications, such as POS devices. (more…)

A company making inexpensive console servers based on uClinux, Open KVM, and other open source software has added a unique SSH tunneling feature. Opengear says its CM4000-series devices are the first console servers offering secure, remote graphical desktop sessions using tunneled VNC or… (more…)

A French company will demonstrate platform virtualization technology based on a microkernel hypervisor at an ARM Technical Symposium in Paris on Nov. 17. Trango says its hypervisor allows multiple operating systems to run on a single processor. The company ships its hypervisor product with Linux 2.6 and eCos kernels. (more…)

Nokia USA has started accepting orders for the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, with availability listed as November 17. The small mobile web tablet is priced at $360, including three-day shipping via Federal Express, but not including sales tax. (more…)

The world's first commercial product based on the Cell BE (broadband engine) processor is expected to ship with a Yellow Dog Linux BSP (board-support package) in Q1, 2006. Mercury Computer Systems says Terra Soft Solutions, one of its VARs (value-added resellers), is developing the BSP. (more…)