Marvell Introduces Plug Computing - High-Performance, Low-Power, Exceptionally
Small Computer for Managing and Storing Digital Media Assets
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Multiple companies adopt SheevaPlug(TM) development platform to showcase new
network-based applications that are designed to be simple to install and easy
to use
Marvell (Nasdaq: MRVL) today announced its Plug Computing initiative to make
high-performance, always on, always connected, and environmentally friendly
computing readily available for developers and end-users. A Plug Computer is
small enough to plug directly into a wall socket and is designed to draw so
little power that it can be left on all of the time. Unlike other embedded
devices in the home, it contains a gigahertz class processor to offer PC class
performance. This makes it a viable alternative to a PC for any software service.
"There is no doubt that home networks need to become more intelligent and
easier to use by offering value added services for the consumer," said Dr. Simon
Milner, Vice President and General Manager of the Enterprise Business
Unit, Consumer and Communications Business Group at Marvell Semiconductor. "We
have created an open computing platform for developers in a consumer and eco-
friendly form factor. Marvell's goal is to accelerate the development and
availability of innovative software and services in the home."
The SheevaPlug development platform uses a Marvell Kirkwood processor based
on an embedded 1.2GHz Sheeva(TM) CPU equipped with 512 Mbytes of FLASH
and 512 Mbytes of DRAM. Connection to the home network is via Gigabit
Ethernet. Peripherals such as direct attached storage can be connected using a
USB 2.0 port. Multiple standard Linux 2.6 kernel distributions are supported
on the SheevaPlug development platform enabling rapid application development.
The enclosure is designed to plug directly into a standard wall socket and is
designed to draw less than one tenth of the power of a typical PC being used as a
home server.
"Plug computing is a logical evolution for the digital home in the same way
enterprise applications moved from servers to network appliances," Mr. Hajime
Nakai, Director, Member of the Board, BUFFALO INC. "Marvell is probably
the only company that can pack so much processor performance into such a
compact form factor."
"Marvell is a leader in designing high-performance, power-efficient CPUs,"
commented Linley Gwennap, principal analyst of The Linley Group. "SheevaPlug
leverages this capability to deliver an impressive amount of compute
performance in an innovative form factor. As a silicon provider, Marvell is
providing a flexible platform for a wide variety of applications that serves
both consumers and service providers."
Early adopters of plug computing began to launch Marvell based products at
the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2009. These include:
Axentra: HipServ(TM) software running on a SheevaPlug is a complete home
server platform and applications suite that allows OEMs and service providers
to quickly go to market with branded home server solutions. This highly secure
and stable software platform allows users to easily store, manage, share, view,
or listen to digital media content in the home or remotely.
Cloud Engines, Inc.: Cloud Engines launched the Pogoplug, a new device which
connects your external hard drive to the internet so you can easily share and
access your files from anywhere. The $99 device won accolades at CES, and the
company is taking discounted pre-orders now at
CTERA Networks: The CTERA CloudPlug, a Cloud Attached Storage(TM)
appliance, converts any USB drive into a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device
with integrated secure offsite backup. CTERA aims the device at service
providers seeking to provide online backup services to consumers and small
Eyecon Technologies, Inc.: Eyecon's media companion empowers the consumer
to use their mobile internet device, such as the iPhone, to manage their
connected digital lifestyle. With the SheevaPlug, Eyecon allows the user to
discover content from any source including the internet, DVRs, PCs and Network
Attached Storage (NAS) devices and direct it to any connected media device in
the home. This delivers a complete, unified media control experience from the
Availability and Pricing
The SheevaPlug development kit is available now for $99 through
applications for the SheevaPlug platform are available through the Marvell
website.
About Marvell
Marvell (Nasdaq: MRVL) is a leader in the development of storage,
communications, and consumer silicon solutions. The Company's diverse product
portfolio includes switching, transceiver, communications controller,
wireless, and storage solutions that power the entire communications
infrastructure including enterprise, metro, home, and storage networking. As
used in this release, the terms "Company" and "Marvell" refer to Marvell
Technology Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries. For more information, visit
Marvell(R) is a registered trademark of Marvell or its affiliates.
Sheeva(TM) and SheevaPlug(TM) are trademarks of Marvell or its affiliates. Other
names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
Editorial Contacts:
Diane Vanasse
Marvell Public Relations
408-222-5198
dvanasse@marvell.com
Tate Tran
Marvell Public Relations
408-222-7522
tate@marvell.com
SOURCE: Marvell
CONTACT: Diane Vanasse,
+1-408-222-5198,
dvanasse@marvell.com, or
Tate Tran,
+1-408-222-7522,
tate@marvell.com, both of Marvell Public Relations
(MRVL)
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