RED HAT PROVIDES EMBEDDED LINUX AND ECOS FOR HITACHI PROCESSORS

Red Hat Provides Software Development Kit Solutions for Both Embedded Linux and eCos Operating Systems for Hitachi's SuperH Microprocessors

Ralrigh, NC -

Red Hat, Inc. (Nasdaq: RHAT), the leader in developing, deploying and managing open source solutions, announced today that it will extend its Embedded Linux, eCos RTOS and RedBoot firmware Support offerings and Engineering Services to include support of Hitachi, Ltd.'s SuperH architecture. The SuperH family of processors represents a powerful, low-cost family of microprocessors that address a variety of target markets including Internet Appliances, PDAs, consumer devices and automotive applications.


Through its strategic, long-term partnership, Red Hat has ported Embedded Linux to the Hitachi Solution Engine development platform and also ported the contents of its eCos DevKit to Hitachi's SuperH family of microprocessors. Red Hat will offer support for developers that are creating SuperH applications and products based on Red Hat's Embedded Linux, eCos Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), and RedBoot firmware running on Solution Engine development platforms. Red Hat will also offer a custom porting of Red Hat Embedded Linux and eCos customers' own board using Hitachi's SuperH CPUs. Red Hat's eCos is a highly configurable operating system designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized embedded systems. The new eCos Hitachi DevKit will contain a broad range of tools, including GNUPro, the world's most popular embedded development tool, enabling SuperH developers to take advantage of the operating system's unique strengths.


"In 1991, Hitachi was one of the first microprocessor vendors to fund the commercial development of GNU software tools, thereby helping to bring the superiority of the open source development model to the world of embedded systems. Hitachi's tradition of leadership continues by partnering with Red
Hat to deliver a complete suite of open source technologies for the SuperH microprocessor, backed by the leading experts in GNU, Linux and open source embedded technologies," said Michael Tiemann, Red Hat CTO.


"As the SuperH architecture continues to expand its performance and functionality and win new designs globally, Red Hat provides the power and flexibility of open source as well as the industry-leading expert support that our customers require," said Tadahiko Sugawara (Hitachi Japan), a department manager, Embedded System Solution Dept., Semiconductor & Integrated Circuits at Hitachi, Ltd. "Developers of groundbreaking SuperH-based embedded devices such as PDA and Set Top Box can now rely upon Red Hat's ability to support SuperH to the hilt with their open source Embedded Linux and eCos Operating Systems and other embedded tools such as the GNUPro Toolsuite."


One recently released embedded device based on Red Hat's eCos is the Delphi Communiport, which has already received awards and accolades for its innovative voice control and text-to-speech features. See http://www.communiport.net/mpcpro.htm for more information on this Delphi telematics product.

 


Red Hat Embedded Linux Overview


Red Hat provides complete Linux solutions to OEMs and semiconductor manufacturers. This includes provision of SDKs, support and consultancy services, custom engineering development including porting, device drivers and middleware development.


Red Hat Embedded Linux offering includes fully tested and QA'd versions of the Linux kernel, glibc C library, GNUPro compiler toolset for Linux, and a rich set of embedded middleware including
items such as embedded file systems, networking, device drivers, and utilities.

 


The eCos Real-Time Operating System


Architected as an open source RTOS, eCos is highly customisable and adaptable, and can be easily configured with the aid of the eCos GUI configuration tool to meet exacting application-specific requirements.


Since eCos is an open-source standard created by Red Hat, it inherently provides engineers with maximum control, flexibility and understanding, over all aspects of their embedded solution. Red Hat provides a full range of eCos Developer Kits, which are integrated with the latest releases of GNUPro, support programs and custom engineering services. See http://www.redhat.com/embedded for more details on the products and services that Red Hat offer to embedded developers.


About Red Hat, Inc.


Red Hat is the leader in developing, deploying and managing solutions built on the benefits of an open source platform. These solutions include an open source product platform that provides the only common, globally available, and award winning Linux operating system from
mainframes to embedded devices, in addition to an e-Commerce platform, Database, Secure Web Server, High Availability Server, and embedded Linux , eCos, and GNU-based developer toolkit for embedded devices.


Red Hat backs up their open source offerings with end-to-end Red Hat Professional Services that include Professional Consulting, Engineering services, Enterprise Support services and Learning services. This is all brought together with Red Hat Network as the Internet-based backbone for deployment and management of products and services for Linux based infrastructures.


Red Hat is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C. and has offices worldwide. For investor enquiries, contact Gabriel Szulik at Red Hat, +1-919-547-0012.


Red Hat Europe was established in July 1999 with its European headquarters based in Surrey, United Kingdom and offices throughout Europe. Red Hat Linux is sold and supported through a number of major distribution and industry partners throughout Europe and from http://www.europe.redhat.com/shop


Come and see famous open source developers and luminaries at Red Hat TechWorld, the world's foremost open source conference. Visit http://www.redhat-techworld.com for more information on how to plan your trip to this year's conference in Brussels.
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LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SuperH is a trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release that are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, management's plans and objectives for future operations, and management's assessment of market factors, constitute forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, reliance upon strategic relationships, management of growth, the possibility of undetected software errors, the risks of economic downturns generally, and in Red Hat's industry specifically, the risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures, the viability of the Internet, and other risks detailed in Red Hat's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which may be accessed through the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov

  • About Red Hat
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