SuSE Driving Linux Port to AMD x86-64 Architecture.Business Editors/High-Tech WritersLinuxWorld Conference & Expo SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2000 SuSE Linux, the international technology leader and solution provider in open source operating system software, and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets, announced today that SuSE will drive the Linux community's work to port Linux to AMD's new 64-bit architecture, x86-64. The x86-64 port of Linux will run new 64-bit applications as well as currently existing 32-bit ix86 Linux applications. The first versions of the development tools (GCC GCC: see Gulf Cooperation Council. (compiler, programming) GCC - The GNU Compiler Collection, which currently contains front ends for C, C++, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, and Ada, as well as libraries for these languages (libstdc++, libgcj, etc). and binutils) have already been written by SuSE developer Jan Hubicka. AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, www.amd.com) A major manufacturer of semiconductor devices including x86-compatible CPUs, embedded processors, flash memories, programmable logic devices and networking chips. released the specification of their new 64-bit architecture called x86-64 (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. codename: Sledgehammer) last week. The release of the specification allows programmers to write code to run on the x86-64 architecture. AMD x86-64 technology is designed to enable platform suppliers, developers, and corporations to transition to 64-bit environments while continuing to have leading performance on the vast installed base of existing 32-bit applications. Early participants in the discussions involving x86-64 include developers from AMD, SuSE, CodeSourcery LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control , ACT and PGI. With the opening up of the specification, developers are now welcome to participate in the development and discussions. Details can be found on the x86-64 website at http://www.x86-64.org. Dirk Hohndel, CTO of SuSE Linux AG, said, "AMD's action supports the open source community and certainly encourages code development. We're looking forward to work together with AMD and the Linux Community on an open port of Linux to x86-64." "It has been exciting and a great pleasure for AMD to begin working with Linux developers to help refine the x86-64 architecture," said Fred Weber, AMD's Vice President of Engineering. "AMD is about better ideas that meet the needs of the market and our customers. Together, with our friends in the open-source community, we can extend the benefits of today's x86 architecture to meet the needs of tomorrow's demanding applications." Mark Mitchell, President of CodeSourcery LLC, said, "We're looking forward to working with SuSE on the Linux port. SuSE is a real leader in Linux technology, and CodeSourcery has a lot of tools experience. I think that together we'll make x86-64 Linux a dynamite OS." A draft version of the System V ABI Abi (ā`bī) [short for Abijah], in the Bible, King Hezekiah's mother. (Application Binary Interface) A specification for a specific hardware platform combined with the operating system. (Application Binary Interface See ABI. (programming) Application Binary Interface - (ABI) The interface by which an application program gains access to operating system and other services. It should be possible to run the same compiled binary applications on any system with the right ABI. ) for x86-64 is available. The editors of the ABI are Mark Mitchell, CodeSourcery LLC, Jan Hubicka, SuSE Linux AG, and Andreas Jaeger, SuSE Linux AG. About SuSE: Founded in 1992, SuSE Linux is the international technology leader and solution provider in open source operating system (OS) software, setting new standards for quality and ease of use. Its award-winning SuSE Linux 6.3 and the newly released 7.0 include thousands of third party Linux applications supported by extensive professional consulting and support services, excellent documentation, comprehensive hardware support, and an encyclopedic set of Linux tools. Designed for Web and enterprise server environments and efficient as a home and office platform, SuSE's distribution, surrounding features, effective configuration and intelligent design result in the most complete Linux solution available today. SuSE Linux AG, headquartered in Germany, and SuSE Inc., based in Oakland, CA, are privately held companies focused entirely on supporting the Linux community, Open Source development and the GNU General Public License A software license from the Free Software Foundation (FSF) that ensures every user receives the essential freedoms that define "free" software, which is free of restrictions (see free software). . With a workforce of over 450 people worldwide, SuSE has offices all over Europe, Venezuela and in the US. More than 50,000 business customers use SuSE Linux worldwide due to its stability and high quality. SuSE received the "Show Favorites" award at LinuxWorld Expo 2000 in New York in February 2000 and March 1999. Further awards: Reader's Choice Awards: Linux Journal, 1/99; PC Professional 4/99; Computer Bild 6/99; PC Intern 4/99; PC Magazine 4/99, PC Answers 8/99. SuSE contributes considerably to Linux development projects such as the Linux kernel, glibc, XFree86, KDE, ISDN ISDN in full Integrated Services Digital Network Digital telecommunications network that operates over standard copper telephone wires or other media. 4Linux, ALSA ALSA Advanced Linux Sound Architecture ALSA Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association ALSA Australian Law Students' Association ALSA Alberta Land Surveyors Association ALSA Alpaca and Llama Show Association ALSA Air Land Sea Application Center (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (known by the acronym ALSA) is a Linux kernel component intended to replace the original Open Sound System (OSS) for providing device drivers for sound cards. ) and USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. (Universal Serial Bus See USB. (hardware, standard) Universal Serial Bus - (USB) An external peripheral interface standard for communication between a computer and external peripherals over an inexpensive cable using biserial transmission. ). Additional information about SuSE can be found at http://www.suse.com. LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. About AMD: AMD (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :AMD) is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets with manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Asia. AMD produces microprocessors, flash memory devices, and support circuitry for communications and networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, California, AMD had revenues of $2.9 billion in 1999. About CodeSourcery: CodeSourcery is a provider of custom software engineering services, with a particular focus on free and open source development tools. Founded in 1998 and based in Atherton, California, CodeSourcery's commitment to quality has made it a popular choice with top systems vendors. |
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