Re: [gentoo-dev] gentoo embedded "reference accounts"?

[Richard Freeman <rich0@gentoo.org>]

On 05/29/2010 01:54 PM, Joshua Saddler wrote:
>
> D-Link routers, for example, run (or used to run) Gentoo. SRI's solar
> probe, RAISE, ran Gentoo. The Misa Digital Guitar, just entering mass
> production, runs Gentoo. There are many more places where Gentoo's
> been used in various devices and production environments, so the PR,
> GMN, and GWN archives are your friends, as well as searching Google
> for Gentoo success stories.

When I think about pros/cons for Gentoo vs something else here are a few 
thoughts (some of which you may have already had):

Linux in general isn't the only OS used in embedded apps - there are 
other options like vxware/etc, which probably should be at least 
considered as well.  Advantages of linux in general would be familiarity 
and a very wide range of features.  A more purpose-driven OS might have 
the advantage of better realtime support and stability, as well as 
better vendor support (embedded is all that they do).

If you're going to run linux, then I'd consider Gentoo well up there - 
granted I'd strip out a lot of it before deploying it.  Gentoo has most 
of the flexibility of linux from scratch, but is FAR more maintainable 
if you plan to keep it updated.  The fact that you can mix and match 
just about any version of any library/etc is a big plus - it gives you 
more control over what you put on your device.  On the other hand, some 
other distros might give you better long-term-support if you're willing 
to live with the library versions they pick and how they build 
everything.  If your device goes on a network then it may need security 
patching, and that is generally safer if you have a vendor who will 
backport security fixes for 5+ years.  Something like RHEL has 
certifications/etc and more formal support, so you can hire people who 
probably know what they're doing.

Like anything you have to consider all the pros/cons.  If I were 
building something on my own dime in an embedded space I'd probably 
strongly consider Gentoo.

Of course, if you do use Gentoo unless you have a ton of storage you're 
going to want to strip out the toolchain, portage, etc.  You would use 
gentoo to maintain a development image, and then any time you want to 
you could copy that and then trim it way down (you could probably script 
this).

Just some random thoughts.

Rich