Progeny Linux Systems Inc. announced a web-based tool and associated services that are meant to ease the task of creating, testing, and maintaining custom Linux distributions for specialized applications — including embedded systems and devices. The new tool, called Linux Platform Manager, is used along with a subscription service called Progeny Platform Services.

Progeny approach is that Linux should be treated as a platform, not as a product, according to Progeny director of marketing Jolene Watkins. But doing that “results in the pitfalls of any operating system product : single-vendor reliance, one-size-fits-all solutions, royalty requirements, and forced adherence to the vendor's agenda,” Watkins said.

“Progeny's Platform Services streamline the onerous process of managing a custom Linux distribution, by providing a componentized, highly customizable Linux platform based on industry standards and best practices,” said Progeny chairman and chief technology officer, Ian Murdock. “Both open source and commercial components are available through [our] services.”

“[Our] web-based Linux Platform Manager lets users assemble desired features, apply fully tested security patches and other important updates as the underlying components evolve, and retain control over the feature set and timetable,” Murdock added. “Features include security patch management facilities, version-control tools, role-based access control and workflow for development teams, auditing facilities, and delivery via APT repositories.”

“Platform Services and Linux Platform Manager are designed to manage custom distributions of any size, from distributions for resource-constrained and embedded environments up to full-featured server, desktop, and appliance configurations,” added Murdock. “For example, our componentized Linux provides fine-grained base components, breaking out traditional 'base system' functionality such as multiuser support and software management support into their own components, so it is easy to build a very small footprint distribution using Platform Services.”

“We also have a componentized kernel that breaks kernel features such as ext3 support, LVM support, and various device drivers into separate components, allowing even further footprint reduction by including only the kernel features and drivers required,” Murdock said.

 
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