SUSE Driving Linux Port to AMD x86-64 architecture

August 15, 2000


SUSE Linux, the international technology leader and solution provider in open source operating system software, and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets, announced today that SUSE will drive the Linux community's work to port Linux to AMD's new 64-bit architecture, x86-64.

LINUX WORLD EXPO, San Jose, CA

SUSE Linux, the international technology leader and solution provider in open source operating system software, and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets, announced today that SUSE will drive the Linux community's work to port Linux to AMD's new 64-bit architecture, x86-64. The X86-64 port of Linux will run new 64 bit applications as well as currently existing 32 bit ix86 Linux applications. The first versions of the development tools (GCC and binutils) have already been written by SUSE developer Jan Hubicka.

AMD released the specification of their new 64 bit architecture called x86-64 (CPU codename: Sledgehammer) last week. The release of the specification allows programmers to write code to run on the x86-64 architecture. AMD x86-64 technology is designed to enable platform suppliers, developers, and corporations to transition to 64-bit environments while continuing to have leading performance on the vast installed base of existing 32-bit applications.

Early participants in the discussions involving x86-64 include developers from AMD, SUSE CodeSourcery LLC, ACT and PGI. With the opening up of the specification, developers are now welcome to participate in the development and discussions. Details can be found on the x86-64 website at http://www.x86-64.org.

Dirk Hohndel, CTO of SUSE Linux AG, said, "AMD's action supports the open source community and certainly encourages code development. We're looking forward to work together with AMD and the Linux Community on an open port of Linux to x86-64.

"It has been exciting and a great pleasure for AMD to begin working with Linux developers to help refine the x86-64 architecture," said Fred Weber, AMD's Vice President of Engineering. "AMD is about better ideas that meet the needs of the market and our customers. Together, with our friends in the open-source community, we can extend the benefits of today's x86 architecture to meet the needs of tomorrow's demanding applications."

Mark Mitchell, President of CodeSourcery LLC, said, "We're looking forward to working with SUSE on the Linux port. SUSE is a real leader in Linux technology, and CodeSourcery has a lot of tools experience. I think that together we'll make x86-64 Linux a dynamite OS."

A draft version of the System V ABI (Application Binary Interface) for x86-64 is available. The editors of the ABI are Mark Mitchell, CodeSourcery LLC, Jan Hubicka, SUSE Linux AG, and Andreas Jaeger, SUSE Linux AG.


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 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 $2.9 billion in 1999. (NYSE: AMD).

About CodeSourcery

CodeSourcery is a provider of custom software engineering services, with a particular focus on free and open source development tools. Founded in 1998 and based in Atherton, California, CodeSourcery's commitment to quality has made it a popular choice with top systems vendors.

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.