At LinuxWorld New York in January 2001, Lineo announced the SecureEdge hardware brand, a OEM development platform for fully brandable Linux-based applications and devices. SecureEdge replaces the NETtel product line. The first SecureEdge product available is a VPN Internet router that secures office-wide Internet connections. Connections can be by dial-up, ISDN, cable or ADSL modems.

Front View of SecureEdge VPN Router

The VPN router can also function as an embedded Linux platform running a uClinux kernel, enabling it to function as a thin server. Custom programs, such as firewalls or monitors, can be written, stored in Flash memory and executed inside the router/server. Features of the SecureEdge routers include:

• Wizard setup
• Browser-based management and configuration with an embedded web server
• Telnet access and remote management
• Instant boot
• Serial ports supporting speeds up to 230Kbps
• Optional 4-port hub for SOHO
• Universal Plug and Play
• USB interface for any USB device

Lineo provides the complete development environment as standard. Application development can be done independently or in conjunction with Lineo to decrease time-to-market of customized, brandable appliances.

Manufacturer: Lineo

Model: SecureEdge VPN Router

Suggested retail price: See web site

URL: www.lineo.com

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Single Board Internet Computer (SBIC)

First in series of application-specific motherboards.

Single Board Internet Computer

Alberta Microelectronic Corporation (AMC) introduced a new family of high-performance, integrated, application-specific motherboards with its first release, the Single Board Internet Computer. The motherboard uses Celeron technology with standard embedded PC product features. Contained in 53 square inches of board space, the single module's level of integration can be used for a wide range of embedded applications.

The SBIC is based on the Intel 440BX AGPset and uses the IEEE 1394 Link Layer Controller that uses digital interface for throughput devices like digital cameras and scanners. Other features include a low power mode, a 100MHz front-side bus with L2 Cache and PC100 SDRAM performance. The mainboard attempts to eliminate add-in boards by including the Ethernet and FireWire directly onto the circuit card.

Programming the SBIC can be done with standard languages, and it is compatible with most popular operating systems. AMC provides engineering support and is available to assist developing and supporting software for specialized applications.

Manufacturer: Alberta Microelectronic Corporation

Model: Single Board Internet Computer

Suggested retail price: $400 in volume

URL: www.amctechcorp.com

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Metro-X and Micro-X on eBSD

Generate small standards-based graphic solutions for embedded applications.

BSDI logo

In January 2001, Metro Link announced that all future eBSD operating systems sold will include Metro-X for host development and a demo of Micro-X, a scalable embedded X server. Developers will be able to use the demo to simulate the X server and run it on a set-top box, web-pad or other next generation internet appliance design.

Micro-X can be configured to as little as 570K resulting in small memory footprints. Additionally, host and target embedded systems can use the same platform, aiding application development. Developers will be able to display embedded 2-D and 3-D graphics, video-in-a-window and MPEG playback on internet appliances, consumer electronic devices or multimedia devices running eBSD on multiple architectures.

Manufacturer: Metro Link, Inc. and BSDi

Model: eBSD with Metro-X and Micro-X

Suggested retail price: See web site for pricing

URL: www.metrolink.com and www.bsdi.com

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FairCom Server v6.10.34

File encryption, file mirroring and dynamic index filtering mark the new database server release.

FairCom

The new release of FairCom's embedded database product comes with a server side software development kit (SDK) that allows embedded developers to add application-specific logic to the server. This reduces network traffic by allowing the server to perform data intensive operations on the same host computer where the data resides. The SDK also comes with the new release of c-tree Plus File Handler.

Other features of this server release include a customizable encryption process that allows only the server that encrypted the data to access it, preventing casual users from dumping or inspecting sensitive data. In addition, mirrored files are now automatically copied during a rebuild, automatic recovery and dynamic dump restore. Even if a mirror fails, the rebuild will continue. New servers also permit indices to be defined at the data contact level as well as the field level that provide smaller and more specific indices for developers.

Support is included for Linux, FreeBSD, SCO UnixWare and SGI IRIX. The server is suited for embedded applications that require small memory overhead and footprints.

Manufacturer: FairCom, Inc.

Model: Database Server v6.10.34

Suggested Retail Price: $745 to $9,795, depending on the number of connections

URL: www.faircom.com

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New Products Contact Info

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Copyright © 2001 Specialized Systems Consultants, Inc. All rights reserved. Embedded Linux Journal Online is a cooperative project of Embedded Linux Journal and LinuxDevices.com.

 
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