King of Prussia, PA — (company press release) — Neoware Systems, Inc. today introduced “Eon — The Anything Box” — the first customizable Linux information appliance specifically designed for business-to-business (B2B) applications.

Neoware's partners and end customers can tailor Eon for a variety of B2B applications and configurations including Web kiosks, routers, firewalls, cash registers, thin clients, e-mail stations and security devices. The product comes bundled with Neoware's new NeoLinux operating system, which is a small, secure, centrally managed version of the industry-standard Red Hat Linux distribution designed specifically for information appliances.

“Eon is an 'Anything Box' because it can be easily adapted to many different environments,” stated Michael Kantrowitz, president and CEO, Neoware Systems. “Eon is targeted at B2B applications where customers need a low-cost, highly managed information appliance that is net-connected. Combined with our new NeoLinux operating system and software from our partners, Eon provides a wide open platform for B2B applications.”

The product can be configured with software and add-in hardware for a wide variety of environments, including wireless applications, as a network box, or a point-of-sale station. Combined with Neoware's new ezManage software, thousands of Eons can be remotely configured and updated with a single mouse click.

Neoware's NeoLinux operating system includes the ability to run local Linux applications, plus it provides access to Windows 2000 and NT servers across a network via the Citrix ICA protocol, allowing users to access the wealth of applications for the Windows platform. The Netscape Navigator Web browser and a Java virtual machine are provided for Internet environments.

What's in the box?

Eon features a highly integrated National Semiconductor Geode processor, on-board 10/100 BaseT Ethernet, two serial ports, a parallel port, 2 USB ports, audio and up to 288 MB of M-Systems DiskOnChip flash memory.

Expansion options include an IDE interface, which can accommodate a disk drive, floppy or CD-ROM, and a PCI/ISA slot, which can accommodate expansion cards, including an additional Ethernet card, wireless Ethernet, more serial ports and Token Ring. Virtually any PCI or ISA card with Linux drivers can be added, providing a flexible platform for a variety of markets and applications.

Availability

Eon — The Anything Box is available immediately, with pricing beginning at $499.

About Neoware

Neoware designs, develops and markets information appliances based upon embedded versions of the Linux and Windows operating systems. Neoware's products are designed to run local applications for specific vertical markets, plus allow access to Linux servers, the Internet and Windows-based applications running on multi-user Windows servers. Neoware's information appliances are designed as an alternative to general-purpose personal computers, offering easier installation, as well as lower up-front and administrative costs. More information about

 
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.