Virtutech's "VirtuHammer" simulator, used to develop software for AMD's next-generation processor, joins a variety AMD Athlon(tm) processor-powered workstations and servers at AMD's LinuxWorld booths
AMD, SUSE encouraged as open-source community makes significant gains in porting Linux to AMD's "Hammer" family of processors
LinuxWorld, New York 01/31/01 AMD announced today at LinuxWorld events in New York and Paris the first public demonstration of "VirtuHammer," the recently announced high-performance tool developed by AMD and Virtutech that allows software developers to write and test 64-bit programs for AMD's next-generation "Hammer" family of processors.
Additionally, AMD is showing a dozen AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based servers
and workstations running on the Linux operating system at LinuxWorld
Conference & Expo shows in New York City and Paris. LinuxWorld is the
premiere tradeshow for developers, supporter and end users of the Linux
operating system.
AMD is approaching both LinuxWorld events with great
optimism as the company, along with Linux operating system vendor SUSE
(www.suse.com), reports
the achievement of significant milestones in the open-source community's
efforts to port Linux to AMD's x86-64 technology. The x86-64 technology
extends the x86 instruction set to enable 64-bit computing and is the
backbone behind AMD's planned 64-bit processor family, code-named "Hammer."
AMD's "Hammer" family is planned for commercial introduction in the
first half of 2002.
AMD first publicly introduced the x86-64 technology
specification at LinuxWorld San Jose in August 2000. In just five months,
the open source community has succeeded in making software development
tools, including the GNU C compiler and Binary Build Tools, comply with
the x86-64 standard for software, e.g. the Application Binary Interface
(ABI). All development activities for this port are taking place in
public forums on the www.x86-64.org
website.
"SUSE has done a tremendous job of spearheading the
effort to develop a version of Linux for AMD's x86-64 architecture.
Progress to date has been outstanding and makes a profound statement
about open-source development," said Wayne Meretsky, AMD Fellow and
Manager of Software Research & Development. "AMD's straightforward approach
to 64-bit computing continues gaining support from the software community."
"AMD's approach to enabling Open Source software for
the x86-64 platform taps into the traditional strength of the Open Source
software development process, namely the ability to harness the collective
wisdom and energies of talented developers around the world," said Dirk
Hohndel, SUSE GmbH's Chief Technical Officer. "The rapid progress is
also a testament to the virtue of AMD's evolutionary approach to 64-bit
computing. SUSE believes that businesses everywhere will see similar
benefits when migrating to 64-bit applications on x86-64 technology-based
platforms."
SUSE whose developers are spearheading the Linux community's
efforts to port Linux to the x86-64 architecture, is currently using
"VirtuHammer" to develop tools and applications for x86-64 technology-based
platforms.
"My experience using Virtutech Simics software has been
very positive and the support from Virtutech has been very good," said
Andreas Jaeger, x86-64 project leader at SUSE Labs. "The speed is good,
the command-line interface is great, and I can now run tests using scripts,
which allows me to finish a whole test suite in less than half an hour.
I am very impressed."
"VirtuHammer" is a high-powered tool featuring Virtutech's
Simics software and a 1.1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor. The Simics software
program enables a computer featuring the 32-bit AMD Athlon(tm) processor
to simulate the operations of a 64-bit "Hammer" processor-based computer,
allowing developers to use currently available technology to quickly
and accurately test and debug their 64-bit software for AMD's next-generation
processors. (For more information about the Virtutech "VirtuHammer"
simulator, please go to www.virtutech.com.)
"Hammer" processors will be the first AMD processors
capable of 64-bit operation, and are being designed to deliver leading-edge
performance on both the 64-bit software used by high-end workstations
and servers and the 32-bit software used by the majority of desktop
computers. AMD has already begun delivering "VirtuHammer" simulators
to targeted software partners, helping ensure they have the resources,
time, and support required to develop 64-bit operating systems, tools
and applications for the "Hammer" family of processors.
LinuxWorld Demos at the AMD Booth
- Virtutech Simics "VirtuHammer" simulator powered
by a 1.1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor on SUSE 7.0 Linux
- Polywell 1.1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based workstation
running Softimage on SUSE 7.0 Linux
- Polywell 1.1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based workstation
running POVRay on SUSE 7.0 Linux
- Utron 1.2GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based workstation
running Nastran/Patran fom MSC software on MSC Linux
- Utron 1.1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based workstation
running Blender on SUSE 7.0 Linux
- Polywell 1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based desktop
running GIMP on Caldera 2.4
- Polywell 1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based desktop
running Quake 3 from id on Mandrake 7.2
- LinuxNetworX 4 node 1-2U 1.1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based
cluster running streaming media demos
- Utron 2 x 2U Quad 1.1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based
server running EnFuzion from TurboLinux on TurboLinux
- Utron 4U 1.1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) database processor-based
server running Oracle 8i on SUSE 7.0 Linux
- Utron 2U Quad 1.1GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based
server running a Zeus Web server from Zeus on SUSE 7.0
About AMD x86-64 Technology
AMD's straightforward approach to 64-bit computing builds upon the x86
instruction set, one of the industry's most proven and widely supported
technologies. AMD x86-64 technology is designed to support applications
that address large amounts of physical and virtual memory, such as high
performance servers, database management systems, and CAD tools. The
x86-64 technology seamlessly integrates into the current computing and
support environment, and is designed to enable enterprises to deploy
high performance 64-bit capable systems that also deliver leading-edge
performance on the billions of dollars invested in the current base
of 32-bit software.
AMD enhances the current x86 instruction set by introducing
two major features: a 64-bit extension called long mode, and register
extensions. Long mode consists of two sub-modes: 64-bit mode, and compatibility
mode. 64-bit mode supports new 64-bit code through the addition of eight
general-purpose registers and widens them all along with the instruction
pointer. It also adds eight 128-bit floating point registers. Compatibility
mode supports existing 16-bit and 32-bit applications under a 64-bit
operating system. In addition to long mode, the architecture also supports
a pure x86 legacy mode, which preserves binary compatibility with existing
16-bit and 32-bit applications and operating systems. For additional
information on the x86-64 instruction set, visit http://www.x86-64.org.
AMD x86-64 Technology Timeline
- October 5, 1999: First public disclosure
of AMD x86-64 technology
- August 10, 2000: AMD x86-64 Technology Specification
1.0 released
- August 15, 2000: Linux developer community
rallies support at LinuxWorld San Jose
- October 6, 2000: AMD SimNow! simulator released
- January 16, 2001: "VirtuHammer" simulator
released
About Virtutech Virtutech is the world leader in efficient simulation of high performance computer systems. Virtutech develops tools that are used to design, implement, and test systems such as multiprocessor servers and telephone switches. Its flagship product is Virtutech Simics. Virtutech is a privately held company, based in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information on VirtuHammer, including availability, go to www.Virtutech.com
Cautionary Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally preceded
by words such as "plans," "expects," "believes," "anticipates" or "intends."
Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements in this
release involve risks and uncertainty that could cause actual results
to differ materially from current expectations. Forward looking statements
in this release include the risk that the "Hammer" family of processors
may not be introduced on the anticipated schedule. We urge investors
to review in detail the risks and uncertainties in the Company's filings
with the United States Securities Exchange Commission.
About Novell
Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell® Nsure™), Web application development (Novell exteNd™) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise™), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell NgageSM). Active in the open source community with its Ximian and SUSE Linux brands, Novell is firmly committed to open source and offers comprehensive Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. Novell's vision of one Net - a world without information boundaries - helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.
Novell is a registered trademarks; Nsure, exteNd and Nteprise are trademarks; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE Linux AG. * All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Press Contact:
Jasmin Ul-Haque
Novell, Inc
Phone: +44 (0)1344 326-900
E-mail: juh@novell.com
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