Salt Lake City, UT — (press release excerpt) — SnapGear Inc. has released a new general uClinux distribution based upon the Linux 2.4.10 kernel. The new source distribution includes multi-kernel build options, broad processor family support, libraries, network tools, user applications, and pre-canned configurations for numerous boards. Combined with the companion tool-chain download of compiler tools the “all in one” approach to the distribution represents a break-through in providing experienced Linux developers with everything required to quickly build complex royalty-free embedded uClinux solutions. The less Linux-literate developer would still benefit from the user-friendly SDKs available from packaged tools suppliers.

In addition to supporting the Motorola ColdFire family the distribution provides support for Motorola 68K and ARM cores. It is also possible to compile for SPARC and Intel i960 targets. Two kernel builds are possible, either Linux 2.4.10 or Linux 2.0.39 with uClibc and the older uC-libc libraries. Over 20 pre-canned configurations for board support are available to bring up many standard development boards from companies such as Motorola, Atmel, NetSilicon, Lineo, and even SnapGear's SecureEdge family of reference designs. Developers will find it easy to add new board support and in the spirit of the GPL (GNU Public License) SnapGear is encouraging the contribution of these 3rd party configurations to be rolled into future distributions. Send via e-mail to [email protected].

Shells and command line utilities (using BusyBox) are present along with application support such as a web server and Microwindows GUI. Virtual Private Networking (VPN) is present with an integrated IPSec implementation (FreeS/WAN 1.9) and PPTP (PoPToP). PoPToP was originally written and placed under the GPL agreement by members of SnapGear's development team.

The distribution is available for download here (68MB). A compiler tools package is available here.

 
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