Timesys has joined up with information services company TechInsights to announce an online service for Linux developers wishing to benchmark their software on specific hardware targets. BenchLab.com combines the TechInsights VirtuaLab online lab environment with the Timesys DIY LinuxLink development environment.

(Click for larger view of the AMCC 440EPx Sequoia Board)

According to the companies, the site saves developers the effort of ordering and setting up development boards. Developers can configure their required hardware and Linux environment through a browser interface, and either run the lab's existing benchmarks or upload their own, say the partners. After running selected benchmarks on a user-specified set of platforms that includes selected boards and hardware and software configurations, a summary report provides benchmark comparison for different platforms.

Freescale i.MX27 SOM-LV

The first two platforms to be supported are from AMCC and Freescale. Users can choose between the AMCC 440EPx Sequoia Board (pictured at top), which is equipped with a Power-Architecture-based 440EPx system-on-chip (SoC), or the Freescale i.MX27 SOM-LV board (pictured at right), featuring the ARM926EJ-S-based i.MX27 processor. Additional platforms will be added over time, say the partners.

TechInsights, a division of United Business Media, provides its VirtuaLab environment as part of its TechOnline site. DIY Linux developer services company Timesys recently announced a free board support package (BSP) for the Freescale i.MX27 and released a similar product for the AMCC 440EPx in March 2007.

Availability

BenchLab.com appears to be available now, here. It will be a free subscription site for the remainder of the year, and then will become subscription based, say TechInsights and Timesys.

 
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