SnapGear Embedded Linux - a new breed of Linux

SnapGear's embedded Linux distribution represents state-of-the-art embedded Linux technology for deeply embedded microprocessors with or without MMU (memory management unit), an important advantage in allowing developers more choice in selection of processors for producing vertical ranges of products. SnapGear embedded Linux is unique in providing commercial quality tool chains and processor support in a freely downloadable open source format.

SnapGear's engineering team has been instrumental in the development of uClinux (a subset of SnapGear Embedded Linux) which has been ported to more than 100 chip architectures, as well as the pioneering implementation of Microsoft's PPTP VPN standard on Linux. SnapGear's embedded Linux distribution runs in more than 20 million devices globally.

SnapGear Linux was devised to solve some common problems that exist for embedded Linux developers today:

• MMUless microprocessors - uClinux has to date been one of the leading approaches to deeply embedded applications. "Normal" Linux simply doesn't run if there is no memory management unit, yet MMUless microprocessors are cost-effective and in wide use. How to modify the kernel for the target processor?
• Libraries - uClibc and other compacted libraries are required for embedded applications. Conventional libraries such as vanilla glibc are often just too big. Which library to select?
• Tool chains - building your application often requires modified compiler and debug tools to match your build target and generally your development environment is not identical to your target environment - that means cross-compilation from a more familiar platform. Where to find the tools?
• MMUful microprocessors - new processors such as the Hitachi SuperH family bring low-cost microprocessors with MMU to the market. However, expertise is required to match a kernel, compiler, and the rest of the toolchain to these targets (many of which are non-x86 compatible). Where to find these packages?
• API standardization - the Linux API represents a meeting point for Unix, Linux and POSIX APIs. Although it is tempting to switch to a proprietary API to solve short-term problems the smarter developers understand the important of a stable, mature API that will facilitate new product development and the maintenance of those products while providing a future-proof path. Where to find these APIs?
• Cost - many commercial distributions exist for embedded Linux (and Linux-like) systems - all at a hefty price tag. Where to find a distribution that is commercial-grade but at an open source price?

Bringing all of these together in one place is SnapGear Embedded Linux - a distribution for the 21st century.

uClinux and Linux

uClinux (www.uclinux.org) consists of a set of patches to the 2.4 and earlier Linux (www.kernel.org) kernels to provide support for microprocessors lacking a memory management unit (MMU). Since the Linux 2.5 kernel a number of these patches are being rolled into the mainstream development kernel. Over time we expect that there will be conceptually a single Linux kernel source base that can be used to build for a variety of processor architectures. Even when that day arrived there is still going to be a need for SnapGear Embedded Linux to bring together embedded development expertise, toolchain, library and multi-architecture support which is all needed for an embedded development environment. Save time and money, download or buy a SnapGear Embedded Linux source and executables today!

About Secure Computing

Secure Computing Corporation (NASDAQ:SCUR), a leading enterprise security company, delivers a comprehensive set of best-of-breed solutions that help customers protect their critical Web, email, and network assets. Our more than 22,000 global customers include the majority of the Dow Jones Global 50 Titans and numerous organizations in the Fortune 1000, all supported by a worldwide network of over 2,000 partners.