Herndon, VA — Zentropic Computing, LLC (Zentropix) today announced the availability of their Remote Kernel Module Step and Trace stub for GDB and the Remote Run-time Data Debugger (R2D2), as open source developments under the Gnu Public License. These tools for real-time Linux development have, until now, been missing from the Linux developer's arsenal.

The Zentropix Remote Kernel Module debugger is based on the capable gdbstubs package, but also provides the host machine with the capability to step-and-trace the target's kernel modules by using the standard GDB debugger and a graphical interface such as DDD.

Although existing tools such as GDB/DDD, and the Remote Kernel Module debugger cover an extremely important phase of the development cycle, the R2D2 debugger addresses later development stages during which it is critical that the application is not “stopped” or “stepped” during debug. This debugger provides non-intrusive, run-time symbolic access to parameters within both user space and the kernel and its modules, while the application continues to execute at its normal iteration. This powerful paradigm dramatically increases the speed and simplicity of application tuning, integration, and verification.

David Beal, the Director of New Business, said “These tools provide a much needed debug capability for developers working within the kernel and its modules; such as real-time Linux tasks. The real-time community includes some exceptional talent, and we anticipate that, by providing these tools as open source, some of this considerable developer base will offer improvements that will enhance the functionality of these already useful tools.” He goes on to say that, “Although we originally had some reservations regarding the viability of the open source business model, we have now become committed to the concept of open source, and we believe that, by providing our tools, the potential of real-time Linux is opened to all.”

Both products are available on Zentropix' validated RealTime Linux installation CD, Version 2.2.

About RealTime Linux (www.realtimelinux.org)

RealTime Linux is an extension of the standard Linux operating system. It provides a simple and streamlined real-time (aka realtime, aka real time) executive which runs the standard Linux kernel as its lowest-priority task, while allowing the insertion of user-defined, higher-priority (i.e. real-time) tasks. Thus, the standard kernel is made fully preemptible. This architecture enables real-time functions to operate in a predictable and low-latency environment, while still allowing full access to the sophisticated services and features of standard Linux.

About Zentropix (www.zentropix.com)

Born from the military simulation industry, where real-time computing is critical, Zentropix was founded in August, 1997, and has offices in the US and UK. By providing a validated and configuration-managed version of RealTime Linux combined with tools, support, custom engineering, and training, Zentropix meets the needs of software developers and corporations, who are now
developing embedded and real-time applications.

Zentropic Computing, LLC
441-B Carlisle Dr.
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 471-6690
[email protected]

 
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