RALEIGH, NC — rPath, a new venture launched by a pair of former Red Hat executives, is off to a fast start.

rPath, which has developed what it calls the first platform for creating and maintaining Linux software appliances, has landed $6.4 million in venture funding from two Boston area firms.

rPath believes it has developed a means of simplifying application and management.

The company, which was launched in 2005, is led by Erik Troan and Billy Marshall, who serves as the firm's chief executive officer.

North Bridge Venture Partners and General Catalyst Partners led the Series A round.

"We have backed many companies who have experienced the pain of configuring Linux for specific applications and have often seen companies that cannot deploy and support open source on a cost-effective basis," said Michael Skok, general partner with North Bridge Venture Partners, in a statement. "We believe that rPath is providing the right solution for these problems and are very excited about the company's potential."

rPath's lead product is known as rBuilder.

"Linux and open source are changing the dynamics of the software industry," Marshall said. "Our mission at rPath is to help software developers take full advantage of open source technology to deliver more value to their customers."

Troan, who is the chief technology officer for rPath, is a former vice president of engineering at Red Hat. He led development of Red Hat Linux and other programs.

Marshall was vice president of North American Sales at Red Hat before leaving to help launch rPath.