Russians run x86 software on ARM | Technology Computable – Computable

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x86 code can run unchanged on devices with ARM processors, such as the Raspberry Pi 1 and 2. A Russian launch -up allows Linux software and work through Wine Windows applications

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The Russian company Eltechs brings together the worlds of ARM, Raspberry Pi, Linux and Windows together. Its implementation has recently released a new version of its Exagear Desktop software, while added support for the Raspberry Pi 1 and 2. To date Eltechs at a select public aware of his emulation software, which allows classic PC games to run on Android . Google’s mobile operating system based on Linux. The ambitions of the start-up founded in 2012, going beyond just mobile gaming retro PC games

Mobile, desktop and server include

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Eltechs is aiming its technology for runtime conversion of x86 code on a wide range. This ranges from mobile gaming via desktop for mainstream PC applications to server use include high-performance computing (HPC). The latter may have a relatively low energy consumption and therefore a favorable TCO (total cost of ownership). The server solution Eltechs since 2013 also available as a cloud service via ARM-as-service and since 2014 included in the AllianceONE Partner Program from HP.

The desktop solution has recently been specifically optimized for the popular micro computers Raspberry Pi 1 and 2. The second, faster model of the British craft computer ‘is becoming more serious applications, such as RDP software to act as a thin client for Windows desktops. In addition, Microsoft will take the upcoming Windows 10 to the Raspberry Pi 2. The Windows maker does not want to miss the boat

Binary translation

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The virtualization Eltechs approach does not bring a separate Windows version to Linux and ARM, but let mainstream x86 applications running on it. The manufacturers claim that this level of performance has not suffered from the binary translation. The x86 code is already running ‘intercepted’ and converted into ARM-compatible instructions for the actual underlying hardware. CEO Vadim Gimpelson argues that the technology his company five times faster than Qemu. His claim is based on own tests with Geobenchmark.

by Exagear Desktop supported ARM hardware can be a raspberry 1 or 2, or other microcomputers such as the Odroid, Cubieboard, Cubox, utilité, Jetson TK1, Wall Board and the Banana Pi. A Chromebook with ARM processor which then Chrome OS is replaced by Linux qualify. In terms of Linux distribution has Eltechs Ubuntu 12.04, Ubuntu 14.04, Debian 7 and planers Bian on the list of system requirements

Wine there

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Before turning Windows applications, there is still an additional requirement. The software Wine (Wine Is not an emulator) must be installed on the system where the Exagear Linux software then creates the code conversion. This makes it possible, for example Microsoft’s communications software Skype to run on an ARM system showing Ubuntu (see video below).

Applications written for x86 versions of Linux, no additional software also need to can run on ARM hardware. However, both Linux and Windows are you all alone to 32-bit applications. For running programs that use the Intel Extensions mmx and / or sse, the ARM hardware must support the neon extensions of chip designer ARM

Transmeta and Torvalds

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At the end of last century, the promising chip company Transmeta already used such an approach, but in hardware. The energy-efficient processors that include Linux creator Linus Torvalds and UltraSparc chip architect David Ditzel worked on, converted each instructions for Intel processors. Eventually Transmeta after years of heavy losses not broken through and gone under in 2009. The patents on the innovator of chip technology licensed to several chip companies, including Intel, Nvidia, Sony, Fujitsu and NEC

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