Lynx and Modulus Bring Reliable Distributed Applications to Real-Time Environments Users can build and manage fault-tolerant distributed applications across multiple platforms

SAN JOSÉ, Calif. and HOUSTON, Texas—October 21, 1996—Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. (San José) and Modulus Technologies, Inc. (Houston) are collaborating to bring sophisticated distributed object technology to large-scale applications in real-time environments. Modulus is shipping the latest release of the LynxOS® version of its InterAgent Toolkit, a distributed object middleware product. In addition, Modulus and Lynx have formalized their working relationship by integrating Modulus into the Lynx Synergy Partner Program.

"We are pleased to formalize what has already been a productive working relationship between Modulus and Lynx," said Dino Brusco, Director of Lynx's Communications Business Unit. "We see a tremendous opportunity to assist our customers by providing tools that enable them to quickly build fault-tolerant distributed applications in LynxOS envirionments. This is one of the advanced capabilities that the InterAgent Toolkit brings to our customers."

LynxOS from Lynx is the only commercial operating system that delivers hard real-time performance while complying with POSIX® and UNIX® standards. LynxOS fully supports the microprocessor's Memory Management Unit (MMU) to transparently provide each process with its own protected virtual address space. This ensures that processes in one area are fully protected from defects or bugs in another. LynxOS also supports an advanced form of demand paging that allows applications that are larger than physical memory to run. These features enable users to build robust, high-performance real-time applications.

With Lynx's latest group of technologies, code-named Galaxy, LynxOS achieves scaleability across multiple platforms by providing a highly modular architecture. This architecture allows engineers to use a building block approach in assembling real-time systems by selecting only those components with the size, cost, and functionality needed. Galaxy includes a series of LynxOS Kernel Plug-Ins and an innovative Web-based browser configuration tool.

Modulus' InterAgent Toolkit provides an extended message-oriented middleware environment which simplifies the development, deployment, and management of applications that are distributed across multiple platforms and networks. When used in a LynxOS environment, the InterAgent Toolkit enables developers to build and manage robust real-time applications that operate across multiple LynxOS platforms. In addition, the system can include other platforms and operating systems as well as a variety of network protocols. These features enable users to build a complete cooperative application and then selectively deploy application components on LynxOS platforms where true real-time performance is needed and have these components seamlessly cooperate with other application components residing on other operating systems.

The InterAgent Toolkit extends a variety of advanced distributed communication features to the real-time environment, including persistence, guaranteed delivery, fault tolerance, dynamic load balancing, transaction services, and sophisticated event services. The InterAgent Toolkit enables users to build fault-tolerant, load-balanced clusters of multiple LynxOS processors. These clustered server processes can be distributed across networks and managed remotely. The InterAgent Toolkit enables users to construct scaleable applications that provide high performance across LAN and WAN environments, including the Internet.

"The demand for real-time performance within modern network-intensive application environments is exploding," said Rex Shelby, President of Modulus. "We are impressed with the capabilities and modularity of LynxOS and are pleased to provide the full functionality of the InterAgent Toolkit to LynxOS users. The combination of LynxOS and the InterAgent Toolkit permits users to build real-time performance into their distributed applications wherever it is needed and to manage and tune those applications over time."

LynxOS/InterAgent at USARC and NASA

The Universities Space Automation and Robotics Consortium (USARC) consists of groups from four Texas universities which work with NASA on the development of real-time telerobotic applications. USARC uses both LynxOS and the InterAgent Toolkit in a variety of applications within different system and network architectures.

According to J.D. Wise, a USARC researcher, "Telerobotics applications are extremely rigorous examples of distributed applications. LynxOS provides the hard real-time capabilities needed within our applications, and the InterAgent Toolkit provides a powerful tool for developing and controlling the applications. The InterAgent/LynxOS combination is ideal for the robust environment and performance that we need."

About Modulus

Founded in 1992, Modulus develops and markets distributed computing tools and is a technology leader in distributed communications middleware. Modulus' InterAgent Toolkit provides the capabilities of message-oriented middleware through a unique architecture of intelligent routing agents which efficiently handle the routing of information throughout complex mixed platform and network environments. Modulus is headquartered in Houston and distributes its products directly and through OEM and VAR channels. Customers using the Modulus technology span a wide range of application areas and industries throughout the world. Representative users of the technology include AT&T, Wells Fargo, AirTouch, IBM, Nortel, NASA, NTT, Daimler Benz, NCR, and Newbridge Networks.

About Lynx

Lynx is a worldwide supplier of real-time operating systems and development tools. Its products shorten product development cycles and reduce costs for software engineers. By committing to POSIX, UNIX, and other industry standards, the company enables customers to leverage their investments in software development and education. Founded in 1988 as a privately-held company, Lynx has offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, and worldwide headquarters in San José, California.

LynuxWorks press contacts

Kirsten Long Director, Marketing Communications LynuxWorks, Inc. USA +1 408-979-4404	Barbara Stewart Patterson & Associates USA 480-488-6909
Hamid Mirab Managing Director EMEA LynuxWorks Ltd. United Kingdom +44 208-906-9506	Peter van der Sluijs Neesham Public Relations Europe +44 1442-879222