ARGON'S NETWORK BOOTING AVAILABLE TO EMBEDDED BIOS 2000.General Software, Inc. and Argon argon (är`gŏn) [Gr.,=inert], gaseous chemical element; symbol Ar; at. no. 18; at. wt. 39.948; m.p. −189.2°C;; b.p. −185.7°C;; density 1.784 grams per liter at STP; valence 0. Technology have signed an agreement that makes Argon's network booting software available to embedded system manufactures as an option with General's Embedded BIOS 2000. Network booting enables thin clients, network appliances, factory floor equipment, data acquisition tools, and other embedded devices to boot over a LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. , using files located on a network server. Network booting can dramatically reduce the build cost of embedded systems by reducing the need for high-cost components like local hard drives or flash memory. At the same time, it will add value for end-users by simplifying upgrades, improving security and lowering admin costs. Under the terms of the new marketing alliance, Argon has developed versions of their Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA MBA abbr. Master of Business Administration Noun 1. MBA - a master's degree in business Master in Business, Master in Business Administration ) firmware that is completely compatible with General Software's Embedded BIOS 2000 firmware. General's customers make embedded, intelligent devices used in telecommunications, data communications, industrial controls, and consumer electronics. "Network booting has always been of interest to embedded device suppliers," said Conrad Lawes, Argon's Technical Services Manager. "However there are sometimes conflicts between the network booting software and the system BIOS. Now they can purchase both products from a single supplier, and know that the combination will work seamlessly." As part of the agreement, Argon will do the following: - Work directly with General customers to add network-booting support to their BIOS. - Conduct extensive testing on all General's current and future BIOS versions to ensure compatibility. - Provide engineering services to General's "BIOS Customization" customers, as well as those wanting other software applications developed for their products. With MBA, embedded devices can be remotely managed using common network boot protocols like PXE (Preboot EXecution Environment) An Intel Wired for Management (WfM) capability that enables a PC to boot from the server. It enables remote booting (boot the OS), remote emergency booting (boot a diagnostic program) and remote new system startup (boot the installation (Preboot Execution Environment The Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE, aka Pre-Execution Environment, or 'pixie') is an environment to boot computers using a network interface card independently of available data storage devices (like hard disks) or installed operating systems. ), RPL RPL - Reverse Polish LISP. Language used by HP-28 and HP-48 calculators. , NetWare or traditional TCP/IP TCP/IP in full Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol Standard Internet communications protocols that allow digital computers to communicate over long distances. (DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Software that automatically assigns temporary IP addresses to client stations logging into an IP network. It eliminates having to manually assign permanent "static" IP addresses. DHCP software runs in servers and routers. , BOOTP (BOOTstrap Protocol) A TCP/IP protocol used by a diskless workstation or network computer (NC) to obtain its IP address and other network information such as server address and default gateway. ). "We are constantly looking for additional ways to provide our customers with the highest value embedded firmware available explained Matthew J. Schiltz, General Software president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. . "Argon is a world leading supplier of network booting technology, and they provide support for a broad range of LAN controllers. The combination of Argon and General Software together is another terrific benefit to our embedded customers. Besides giving users of Embedded Devices access to Pre-Boot benefits, network booting enhances security and reliability. Centralization also simplifies data recovery, back up, and management. Problems of disk and PC failure are replaced with the simplicity of a "plug and boot" solution. A full description of the benefits manufacturers and users gain is available at www.argontechnology.com/embedded. About Argon Technology's Managed PC Boot Agent Managed PC Boot Agent firmware is available to developers directly from Argon Technology for adding to the Embedded BIOS 2000 product offering. It's compatible with most Windows, DOS and UNIX operating systems, as well as popular client management software and boot protocols. More information on Managed PC Boot Agent, along with details of the benefits of network booting, is available at www.argontechnology.com/embedded. About Argon Technology Corporation Argon Technology is a world leader in network booting solutions. The company's Boot ROM technology supports all leading manufactures of networking ASIC's and add in cards, as well as desktop management applications. Argon Technology also provides a range of consulting and training services to help customers use network booting to lower PC ownership costs. For more information, visit http://www.argontechnology.com or call (905)673-9978 ext.12. About Embedded BIOS 2000 Embedded BIOS 2000 delivers a comprehensive BIOS development environment for x86 embedded systems. The modular architecture of the Embedded BIOS Adaptation Kit allows an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and to support multiple, on-going BIOS adaptations while leveraging existing libraries of CPU CPU in full central processing unit Principal component of a digital computer, composed of a control unit, an instruction-decoding unit, and an arithmetic-logic unit. , chipset, and board-specific features. Embedded BIOS addresses the entire lifecycle of embedded products, from board bring-up, configuration prototyping, testing with system diagnostics, and product manufacturing to in-field diagnostics and software reload (1) To load a program from disk into memory once again in order to run it. Reload is entirely different than reinstall. Reinstall means that you have to run the install program from a CD-ROM or floppy disk and perform the installation procedure over again. . Embedded BIOS supports industry-standard operating systems that run on PC-compatible hardware, including the full spectrum of Windows, Linux, and real-time operating systems. About General Software, Inc. General Software, a Microsoft Windows Embedded Partner Program Gold-level member, provides superior enabling firmware and world-class support for OEM manufacturers of telecommunications, data communications, consumer electronics, dedicated servers, and other specialized computing devices. General Software's well-architected and reliable firmware products reduce risk, speed development, and address embedded OEM product lifecycle needs. For more information, visit http://www.gensw.com or call 800/850-5755 or 425/576-8300. |
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