Technologic Systems is readying a rugged WVGA touchpanel PC based on a fast-booting ARM9-based single board computer (SBC). The TS-TPC-7390 Touch Panel Computer incorporates the Debian Linux-based TS-7390 SBC, which is equipped with a 200MHz ARM9 CPU from Cirrus and a Lattice FPGA (field-programmable gate array).

U.K.-based Thorcom Systems Ltd is shipping a rugged, Debian Linux-based, in-vehicle computer intended for emergency first responders. The GPS-equipped VR2000 can serve as an application host, IP router, and vehicle locater in a wide range of mobile data, vehicle tracking, and in-vehicle communications and networking applications, according to the company.

The Neufbox 4 is a BRCM63xx based DSL router the french ISP SFR provides to its customers, and more than 3 million units are currently in use. The device is developed by Efixo and the OpenWrt based sources are available through a subversion repository and documentation is placed in a Trac wiki.

Timesys announced that it is providing the first commercial Linux development support for NXP Semiconductors' LPC313x series of ARM9-based microcontrollers. The "LinuxLink for LPC313x" offering enables developers to build custom Linux-based products on the 180MHz ARM926EJ-S-based processor, says the company.

Untangle bundles common open-source applications for blocking spam, spyware, viruses, adware and unwanted content on the network in one single Linux distribution. It can be integrated into existing networks either as a router or as a transparent bridge (directly behind the router, but before the switch that connects the client PCs with the router).

Cisco announced a Linux-based WiFi router touted as the first 802.11n dual-band clustering access point for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The Cisco AP 541N Wireless Access Point includes 802.11n, gigabit Ethernet, "robust" security, voice roaming, and clustering technology, enabling a single point of administration for multiple access points.

A British Columbia-based startup called InkMedia announced an under-$300 notebook that runs embedded Linux. Based on a Via chip, the Ink Mobile Computer (Ink MC) depends on flash-based storage and offers an 8.6-inch SVGA display, four USB slots, Ethernet, and WiFi.

Both Linux and FreeBSD are built on strong networking stacks, and both make first-rate firewalls and routers. Many commercial products are based on these. Eric Geier rounds up four firewall/router projects for our perusal.

Networking company Netgear has been accused of breaking open-source licensing conditions, by shipping a Linux-based router without source code.