LynuxWorks has released what it claims is the first Linux 2.6 board support package (BSP) for the Apple Macintosh G5 desktop machine. LynuxWorks says embedded Linux developers may wish to use the Apple G5 as a less expensive and more complete alternative to development boards based on IBM's PowerPC 970 processor, the 64-bit processor used in Apple's G5.

The LynuxWorks BlueCat Linux 5.0 BSP includes a kernel optimized for embedded applications, and targets large-scale, multi-CPU systems as well as small consumer devices, the company says. It supports 32-bit, as well as 64-bit applications.

LynuxWorks calls the PowerPC 970 “the fastest PowerPC processor ever created,” with improved performance and the capability to address significant amounts of memory. The company says its BSP will enable customers to move forward with 64-bit development today, and migrate to PowerPC 970 embedded hardware in the future.

LynuxWorks says it is aggressively pursuing Linux 2.6 BSPs because it believes increased real-time behavior will make Linux 2.6 a standard for embedded developers. The company says the new kernel also features easier porting to new computers, support for large memory models, support for microcontrollers, and an improved I/O system.

The BSP is expected March 15, 2004, along with tools such as SpyKer and VisualLynux for deploying Linux into embedded environments.

Previously, LynuxWorks shipped a BSP based on the Linux 2.6 kernel supporting the X86/Intel IA-32 architecture.

 
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.