Wind River releases three platforms for connectivity, security, messaging

Alameda, CA—Wind River Systems Inc. recently introduced three market-specific platforms (MSPs) that reportedly support all phases of the device software development process from concept to deployed product.

By Control Engineering Staff November 16, 2004

Alameda, CA— Wind River Systems Inc. recently introduced three market-specific platforms (MSPs) that reportedly support all phases of the device software development process from concept to deployed product. These platforms include separate editions of its VxWorks software for consumer, industrial, and networking devices, which will be aided by integrated, market-specific middleware to shorten time to market, and an annual subscription program to deliver technology updates.

Device software continues to be a product’s competitive differentiator, adds Wind River, while time to market remains a critical business issue for manufacturers in every industry. Manufacturers spend too much time on early, non-strategic development phases, which reduces their products’ quality, reliability and differentiation. Wind River says its three new platforms solve this problem with enhancements that include:

IP networking from an IPv4/IPv6 stack with advanced IPv6 routing support;

Security with an IPSec/IKE update, Radius, Firewall, 802.1x;

Management in an XML/Soap, SNMP, and web server update; and

Messaging with transparent multiprocessor messaging between VxWorks and other OSs, such as Linux.

The company says these capabilities allow its Wind River Platforms to help users start creating unique value much earlier in the development process.

The first platform, Wind River Platform for Consumer Devices, VxWorks Edition , is tailored for digital imaging devices, broadband access, interactive digital TV, and multimedia information appliances. The next generation of Wind River Platform for Consumer Devices includes added security features, expanded network functionality and greater flexibility for consumer device software optimization, especially for devices targeted at the ‘connected home.’

The second platform, Wind River Platform for Industrial Devices, VxWorks Edition , enables industrial control and automation, measurement and testing, medical imaging devices, smart sensors, elevators, fire and security systems, medical imaging devices, pacemakers, power generation controllers, and railway automation. Platform for Industrial Devices’ enhancements include improved security capabilities and dual IPv4/IPv6 support and thus provides industrial customers the safe path for integrating industrial networking into their designs.

The third platform, Wind River Platform for Network Equipment, VxWorks Edition , enables wireless LAN access points, VPN gateways, firewalls, routers, switches and mobile base stations. Enhancements include expanded and improved security features, such as IPsec and IKE support, and wireless security 802.11i updates and dual IPv4/IPv6 support. Transparent Inter Process Communication (TIPC) protocol will enable Platform for Network Equipment to communicate with Platform for Network Equipment, Linux Edition.

Wind River also recently launched its Wind River Platform for Networking Equipment, Linux Edition, which will be available in the first quarter of 2005.

The firm also plans to hostvisit: https://www.windriver.com/email/2004/09/reg_dev_conf .

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com