WIND--GoAhead Software Expands Remote Upgrading Software; Now More Devices Can Receive Secure, Automatic Upgrades
BUSINESS WIRE - March 13, 2000 08:26
BELLEVUE, Wash., Mar 13, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- GoAhead(R) Software, the leading developer of management software for Internet infrastructure devices and appliances, today announced the release of GoAhead FieldUpgrader(TM) 2.2, the latest version of the company's remote upgrading software.
GoAhead FieldUpgrader provides manufacturers of networked devices with a comprehensive solution for automatically and remotely upgrading their products in the field, by enabling devices to periodically "phone home" to an upgrade server via the Internet. In addition to expanding operating system support to include Embedded Linux, Embedded NT and Windows CE, version 2.2's new features include an in-memory file system, complete Xilinx(R) FPGA upgrade capability and enhanced security.
"Expanding GoAhead FieldUpgrader's capabilities to VxWorks devices without file systems and including Windows CE support allows a greater number of manufacturers to reap the benefits of remote upgrading," said GoAhead Vice President of Marketing Jim Airy. "Not only will manufacturers have a living connection to their devices in the field, they will also have reduced support costs and more satisfied customers."
GoAhead added an in-memory file system to accommodate the more than 80 percent of VxWorks devices without external file systems. An in-memory file system is an integrated internal file system emulation module that allows for file manipulation in VxWorks devices lacking an external file system. GoAhead FieldUpgrader provides upgrade security by utilizing the Digital Signature Standard (DSS) to provide authentication and data verification. Version 2.2 adds enhanced port configuration for increased security. GoAhead FieldUpgrader 2.2 is compatible with a wide variety of operating systems, including VxWorks(TM) from Wind River Systems, Linux and Embedded Linux, and Embedded NT and Windows CE/NT/95/98 from Microsoft.
In a separate statement, GoAhead and Xilinx today announced that the complete remote upgrading solution for Xilinx FPGAs is included in GoAhead FieldUpgrader 2.2. The companies integrated Xilinx Internet Reconfigurable Logic (IRL)(TM) technology with GoAhead FieldUpgrader to develop a management software solution that enables manufacturers to automatically and remotely upgrade both the software and hardware inside devices in the field.
GoAhead FieldUpgrader greatly reduces device service and support costs by eliminating the need for product recalls, sending support personnel to make service calls, or requiring end users to download or install the upgrade themselves. With GoAhead FieldUpgrader, manufacturers no longer need to know where devices are located in the field because devices "phone home" for upgrades. These capabilities increase end user satisfaction as customers will no longer suffer device downtime or have to take their devices in for upgrades. In addition, the software creates new revenue opportunities because new features can be provided on-line.
About GoAhead FieldUpgrader
GoAhead FieldUpgrader consists of three parts: DeviceStudio(TM), UpgradeAgent(TM) and UpgradeServer(TM). DeviceStudio is the development environment used to configure the UpgradeAgent. Once configured, the UpgradeAgent is embedded in the target device. UpgradeServer is used to publish and manage upgrades and is located on a server at the manufacturer's or end-user's site. When the need for an upgrade arises, the manufacturer publishes the upgrade on the UpgradeServer. The target device polls the UpgradeServer at regular pre-determined intervals to look for upgrades. When an upgrade is available and authorized, the device downloads the software and applies it as specified by the manufacturer.
About GoAhead Software, Inc.
GoAhead Software (http://www.goahead.com) is the leading provider of off-the-shelf management software solutions to manufacturers for Internet infrastructure devices and appliances. GoAhead provides solutions that accelerate time-to-market, increase customer satisfaction and reduce support costs. GoAhead delivers these benefits by making Internet infrastructure devices self-reliant -- dependable, available, and easy to manage. The privately held company was formed in 1995 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.
GoAhead is a registered trademark of GoAhead Software, Inc. GoAhead FieldUpgrader is a trademark of GoAhead Software, Inc. |
