64-bit Operating System for AMD's future "Hammer" Family of Processors

Hannover, Germany — 03/20/2002 — SUSE Linux AG, one of the world's leading providers of the Linux operating system, announced today that their Linux operating system will offer full 64-bit support for AMD's "Hammer" family of processors. The availability of SUSE Linux with x86-64 technology support is planned to coincide with "Hammer" processor-based system availability.

AMD's next-generation processor, code-named "Hammer", is designed to provide native performance for both 32-bit and 64-bit software applications. "Hammer" processor-based systems will grant business users the benefit of long-term investment protection as these systems are designed to enable seamless transition from a 32-bit to 64-bit environment.

"AMD's 'Hammer' processors represent a compelling platform for business users," said Boris Nalbach, CTO of SUSE Linux AG. "AMD's x86-64 technology offers a seamless migration path to 64-bit computing, while allowing businesses to preserve their existing investments in 32-bit x86 software. SUSE plans to offer the first commercially supported, 64-bit Linux operating system for AMD's 'Hammer' family of processors."

"SUSE has been the primary developer of the x86-64 technology-based Linux port," said Richard Heye, Vice President of Platform Engeneering and Infrastructure for AMD's Computation Products Group. "SuSE engineers have drawn on their experience in developing Linux operating systems for other 64-bit platforms to create a best-of-breed Linux operating system for the x86-64 technology-based platform. We look forward to SUSE Linux's continued support of the 'Hammer' family of processors."

About AMD
AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets with manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Asia. AMD, a Fortune 500 and Standard & Poor's 500 company, produces microprocessors, flash memory devices, and support circuitry for communications and networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, California, AMD had revenues of $3.9 billion in 2001. (NYSE: AMD).

About AMD's 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. For additional information on the x86-64 instruction set, visit http://www.x86-64.org/.

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