TimeSys has launched the second generation of its service for embedded Linux developers. LinuxLink Second Edition offers the first commercial support for Linux 2.6.16, the company claims, along with more complete kgdb support, commercial support for real-time kernel patches, 30 percent more packages, and user interface improvements, the company says.

LinuxLink is a suite of online services aimed at helping device developers implement and maintain Linux kernels and filesystems. It provides a central clearinghouse and alert notification structure for kernel patches from chip vendors and community sources, and also avails subscribers of validated binaries for a variety of architectures, built from open source project code sourced from around the Internet. TimeSys launched LinuxLink last summer, and last month said the service had surpassed the 2,000-subscriber mark.

TimeSys claims that LinuxLink Second Edition offers the only commercial support available for the 2.6.16 Linux kernel, which was released just three weeks ago. New 2.6.16 features are described extensively here, but in short include the integration of TIPC (transparent IPC) and EDAC (error detection and correction modules), TimeSys notes.

Other enhancements in LinuxLink Second Edition, according to TimeSys, include:

• Major content update — Source packages now number 266, a 33 percent increase. Binaries built with Glibc now number 440, a 40 percent increase, and binaries built with uClibc now number 136, a 400 percent increase, TimeSys says. Additionally, “LinuxLink contributed content,” including device, feature, and bug fix patches to 2.6.x kernel versions has increased, TimeSys says.
• Kernel debugging support (KGDB) — LinuxLink support for KGDB has been “rebased” to 2.6.16, TimeSys says, and validated with supported reference boards across x86, PowerPC, and XScale architectures. TimeSys says KGDB support is available to all LinuxLink subscribers, and is “a critical feature requirement for developers of new device drivers and loadable kernel modules.”
• “Commercial grade real-time support — A new LinuxLink Real Time subscription option offers commercial support for patches to the latest 2.6.16-based stable kernel, including open source patches from Ingo Molnar and Thomas Gleixner, as well as contributions by TimeSys and LinuxLink community members. LinuxLink Second Edition refreshes real-time patches to the latest, stable version of the kernel, TimeSys says, and “includes lightweight PI-futexes that enable the implementation of userspace Priority Inheritance support layered on priority inheriting kernel based rt-mutexes, as well as the new hrtimer implementation that enables high resolution timer support on a clean and extensible framework.”
• Web-Services Enhancements — The LinuxLink Second Edition interface includes feature, functionality, and work-flow enhancements, implemented in response to increased activity and subscriber feedback, TimeSys says.

CEO Larry Weidman stated, “TimeSys has responded to the requirements of its partners and customers with more processor support, increased feature and package availability, and a continued commitment to ensure that technology changes within the Open Source community are rapidly and efficiently delivered to embedded Linux developers.”

Weidman adds, “Developers are embracing LinuxLink. The Developer Exchange support model has gained traction, and drawn accolades for providing best-in-class responsiveness, from our semiconductor partners and growing customer base.”

Availability

LinuxLink Second Edition is available now, priced at $999 for three months, or $3,000 for a year. A license pack for up to five additional named users costs $1,000 per year. A “Developer Edition” that includes Eclipse-based tools and access to an online BSP verification tool is priced at $1,800 for three months, or $5,000 per year. The Real-time Extensions are priced at $5,000 per year.

LinuxLink supports 70 processors across all major architectures, TimeSys says.

 
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