February 9, 2016 – Mentor Graphics announced that its Mentor Embedded Linux (MEL) platform has been updated to Yocto 2.0 and expanded to include new security enhancements and additional industrial protocols. The release includes Wurldtech Achilles Communications Certification Level 1 and Level 2, the industry benchmark for securing industrial connected devices. This certification protects the critical embedded infrastructure, reducing risks of cyber security threats and attacks.
Simplified mandatory access control kernel (SMACK), is a Linux kernel security module that protects data and process interactions from malicious manipulation by using a set of custom mandatory access control rules. Designed for easy implementation, SMACK consists of three components: a Linux security module for file systems; a startup script to ensure correct SMACK attributes for configuration; and a set of patches to the GNU core utilities package for SMACK communications. Embedded developers using the MEL platform will realize improved security of embedded devices with rich feature sets.
In addition to the security features, additional industrial protocols are now available in the new version of the MEL product:
- CANopen, the communication protocol and device profile specification for embedded systems used in automation.
- IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) used to synchronize clocks in a computer network.
- BACNet, a data communication protocol for building automation and control networks (BACN), a global ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard used in over 30 countries.
- Industrial internet of things (IoT) support: 6LoWPAN, XMPP, CoAP and MQTT.
- Expanded support for the following processors: NXP TWR-LS1021A, Xilinx Zynq ZC702ED, ZedBoard, NXP i.MX6 SABRE Series, and NXP i.MX 6Solo X.
The MEL platform also supports the Yocto Project 2.0 (AKA “Jethro”), the latest version of open source comprising interoperable tools, metadata, and processes for the rapid, repeatable development of Linux-based embedded systems.