OTTAWA, July 12, 2005 - Thanks to the new QNX® Neutrino® x86 runtime kit, value-added resellers, independent software vendors, and system integrators can, for the first time, deploy their software on a hard realtime operating system (RTOS) without encountering complex installation issues or time-consuming licensing agreements. Unlike conventional RTOS solutions, which require expertise in OS configuration, the QNX Neutrino x86 runtime kit can auto-detect an x86 system's hardware, allowing vendors or end-users to install system software without intimate knowledge of OS internals. Intelligent yet flexible, the kit also provides intuitive displays that let end-users quickly choose from a variety of installation options.
"Until now, installing and configuring an RTOS correctly was a job for gurus only. But with this new runtime kit, the QNX Neutrino RTOS delivers an ease of installation on x86 hardware that's rivalled only by desktop OSs," said Mark Roberts, director of product management at QNX Software Systems. "As a result, ISVs, SIs, and their customers can take QNX Neutrino out of the box, install it, load their applications, and go. No time lost fussing with startup code, BSPs, or arcane configuration issues."
In addition, the kit enables ISVs to target a standard version of QNX Neutrino that end-users can readily purchase off the shelf.
"The true realtime performance and exceptional fault tolerance of the QNX Neutrino RTOS is either necessary, or extremely beneficial, for a huge variety of industrial, medical, and military applications. But until now, installation and licensing issues common to all RTOSs often forced users to work with a general-purpose OS," said Dave Curley, vice president of marketing at QNX. "The QNX Neutrino x86 runtime kit changes all that, allowing whole new classes of users to experience a fundamentally higher level of OS performance, reliability, and scalability."
Out of the Box
Designed especially for smaller-scale product deployments, the new QNX Neutrino x86 runtime kit works out of the box with a wide array of x86 hardware platforms. It is particularly well-suited for industrial automation and any other control-oriented applications based on PC-compatible ruggedized computers or single-board computers, including medical, point-of-sale, and mil/aero systems.
"QNX not only has 25 years' experience on the x86 architecture, but pioneered several industry firsts on x86, including the first MMU-protected OS," added Mark Roberts. "The QNX Neutrino x86 runtime kit leverages this unequalled expertise and knowledge of the x86 architecture, providing hassle-free installation and optimized performance on an almost unimaginable variety of x86 systems and form factors."
What's in the Kit
Each QNX Neutrino x86 runtime kit comes with a runtime installation CD and tools to help VARs and SIs create new manufacturing masters, including a customizable script for integrating third-party software, a click-through license agreement, and a user guide. The kit comes in two versions -- standard and high-end bundle -- both of which support optional third-party runtimes for embedded Java and enhanced Web browser technology.
Both bundles include a sophisticated GUI, Web browser, TCP/IP networking, multimedia support, internationalization, critical process monitoring for high availability, a full range of file systems (including disk-on-chip), and off-the-shelf drivers for a variety of hardware peripherals and buses. In addition, the high-end bundle supports extended networking (IPv6, IPSec, routing protocols, management) and symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) for multicore and multiprocessor systems.
Availability
The QNX Neutrino x86 runtime kit is available now. For more information or to order, contact your QNX sales representative or distributor.
About QNX Software Systems
With millions of installations worldwide, QNX Software Systems is the global leader in realtime, microkernel operating system technology. Companies like Cisco, DaimlerChrysler, Lockheed Martin, Panasonic, Siemens, and General Electric rely on QNX technology to build ultra-reliable systems for the networking, automotive, medical, military, and industrial automation markets. Founded in 1980, QNX Software Systems maintains offices throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
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Paul Leroux
QNX Software Systems
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paull@qnx.com
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