Red Hat extends Linux reach with NetSilicon agreement

Red Hat has further extended its ambitions to take Linux into the embedded market by combining a stripped-down version of the operating system with NetSilicon's networked microprocessors.

NetSilicon will target the integrated set of services and products at developers of embedded internet appliances.

On top of its NET+ARM range of processors, NetSilicon will also offer a version of uClinux - a stripped-down version of the operating system that supports Web and mail servers, as well as the EL/IX applications programming interface, plus associated protocol stacks and drivers.

Eric Kraieski, NetSilicon's vice president of product marketing, said the company will "take the headache" out of putting together the components necessary to build embedded systems based on Linux.

"Anyone who wants to take a device or appliance and turn it into an internet appliance can take our 'system on a chip' and put it in their products," he said.

Kraieski said NetSilicon's work with Red Hat does not directly compete with embedded compiler developer Cygnus, which the Linux distributor acquired late last year. This is because Cygnus is aimed at the real-time embedded market.

Red Hat has been pitching its product across the market for some months, and analysts say it has effectively carved a niche for itself as one of the Linux market leaders.

It has also signed deals with a number of other software and hardware vendors and more are expected soon.