[Soekris] net48xx EOL?

[Soren Kristensen]

Hi Frank & List,

Not very correct :-) But maybe time to update the list:

Frank Cole wrote:
> 
> Hi Mike,
> 
> AMD retooled the fab that made the SC11xx processors to make way for 
> something else.

The Geode SC1100 was fabbed by National, when AMD bought the Geode line 
from National they made a contract to continue doing so. When that ran 
out National wanted more money to continue fabbing them and AMD couldn't 
see a business case anymore, sales apparently wasn't big enough to 
warrant redesign to another process/fab, so they discontinued a bunch of 
the older Geode parts.

> It will eventually affect the 4801/4826 line but I think there are 
> enough SC1100s still out in the manufacturing bins and warehouses (aka 
> "the grey market") to keep things going for at least a couple of more 
> years.

The net48xx will be discontinued at some point, but we did a significant 
last time buy and expect to have enough parts at the current sales rate 
into at least Q4 2007....

Although the new net5501 have a slightly larger formfactor it will 
probably quickly take over most net4801 sales, the net4826 will be 
replaced at little later with a formfactor compatible board.

There are also parts available at excess parts distributors but at 
higher cost. We do plan to continue to make net48xx as long as they sell 
just a little, we don't want to force any customers to switch until they 
want to....

> As for Soekris' production plans, thats anybody's guess but if they 
> stick to their history, they'll be spinning 48xx's till people stop 
> buying them.  Look at the 45xx line as an example.  The Elan 520's EOL'd 
> like 4 years ago and that line is still going strong.

The Elan SC520 has not been discontinued. It is correct that most of the 
other embedded x86 parts from AMD was discontinued when they converted 
their Austin fab to make Flash chips some years ago. But the Elan SC520, 
as the only one, is fabbed by UMC, and I have actually just been told by 
AMD that they currently have no plans to discontinue the Elan SC520....

We are in the business of making embedded products with long lifetime, 
and will do what we can to do that, although we're depending on our main 
chip suppliers....


Best Regards,


Soren Kristensen

CEO & Chief Engineer
Soekris Enginering, Inc.