Lynx Donates Advanced Messaging Technology to Linux Open-Source Community; Lynx Messenger for BlueCat Linux Allows Distributed Computing Methodology.

Business Editors/Technology Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2000

Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc., today announced the donation of Lynx Messenger for BlueCat(TM) Linux, its high-performance messaging technology, to the Linux open-source community to establish a new standard for advanced CompactPCI inter-board messaging in distributed and high availability (HA) systems.

The Lynx Messenger technology provides developers of embedded systems the advantages of freely available open-source software with the quality certification from Lynx. The technology supports multiple operating systems and multiple network protocols, and it allows for the maximum flexibility in designing and deploying optimized distributed applications for telecommunications, data communications and the internet.

Lynx Messenger Technology

Implemented as a kernel extension and associated Application Programming Interface (API) for messaging, Lynx Messenger is a technology that enables CPU boards (system and non-system) to exchange information on a peer-to-peer basis across the CompactPCI backplane. Lynx Messenger can also be used on a single CPU card to support communication between the host CPU and PMC intelligent I/O processors across the on-board PCI bus. This messaging API and technology is appropriate for loosely coupled cooperative processing applications and for the split processing of layered communications protocols.

&uot;We view the donation of our Messenger technology as a tangible demonstration to our commitment to the open-source Linux community,&uot; said Dr Inder Singh, chairman of Lynx. &uot;Our plan is to continue to provide value and support for this community.&uot;

Messenger Designed for Flexibility and Scalability

Lynx Messenger allows for seamless communication and cooperative processing between different CPU types, such as Intel and PowerPC. The technology uses typical silicon implementations of the lower levels of I20 in advanced CompactPCI cards thus providing optimal bus performance. It also runs as a software bus driver for non- I20-enabled devices. Advanced features use the capabilities of on-card scatter-gather to provide a &uot;no copy&uot; buffer memory for optimizing distributed applications. The API provides options for message prioritization and delivery confirmation that gives the design engineer added flexibility.

Reliability, Availability and Serviceability 

Providing high availability for CompactPCI systems is intergral to the Lynx Messenger architecture. Included is a sophisticated I/O Processor (IOP) manager that has &uot;named object&uot; capabilities for creating a pool of I/O resources providing automatic card failover and thus eliminating any I/O &uot;single points of failure&uot;. The IOP manager continually monitors the health of the system's resources and institutes a &uot;heartbeat&uot; test protocol as necessary. If boards need replacing, the IOP manager interacts with the Hot Swap manager to assure a graceful extraction and then initialization of newly inserted replacement boards.

Support for Multiple Operating Systems and Network Protocols

The Lynx Messenger currently supports embedded CPUs running Linux and LynxOS(R) real-time operating system. It supports TCP/IP, STREAMS DLPI, an ethernet-like MAC interface, data-link named object interface, CORBA internet interoperability protocol to Messenger interface, and the Trillium TAPA-compatible Split Protocol message processing interface.

Availability and Pricing

Lynx Messenger is currently available as an open-source, installable component with BlueCat Linux 1.0.

About Lynx Real-Time Systems

Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. is the leader in embedded Linux and the pre-eminent developer and supplier of operating system software for reliable and high-performance embedded applications. Lynx products support industry standards in communications, avionics, automotive, office automation and process control systems worldwide, enabling customers to leverage their investments in software and education. Those products include the open source BlueCat Linux OS, the LynxOS scalable, real-time operating systems, software frameworks for high-availability systems, development tools and technical support worldwide. Information about Lynx Real-Time Systems is available on the World Wide Web at www.lynx.com.

BlueCat is a trademark and LynxOS is a registered trademark of Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. Other brand or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective holders.