[gentoo-embedded] Documentation for embedded linux beginer

[gentoo-embedded] Documentation for embedded linux beginer

[Jean-Marc Beaune]

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Hi,

I tried several times to start with embedded linux but can't really figure
out how to start in a proper way.

Let's say I know linux, I'm a power user or administrator but have no
knowledge about embedded linux.

Do you know any good documentation or book?

Thank you,
-- 
Jean-Marc

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Re: [gentoo-embedded] Documentation for embedded linux beginer

[Karl Hiramoto]

Jean-Marc Beaune wrote:
> Hi,
>  
> I tried several times to start with embedded linux but can't really
> figure out how to start in a proper way.
>  
> Let's say I know linux, I'm a power user or administrator but have no
> knowledge about embedded linux.
>  
> Do you know any good documentation or book?
Building Embedded Linux Systems:
http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596529680/index.html

Re: [gentoo-embedded] Documentation for embedded linux beginer

[Sean Harmer]

On Thursday 16 October 2008 14:15:24 Jean-Marc Beaune wrote:
> Do you know any good documentation or book?
Take a look at this book. It gives a good insight into various embedded 
topics:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Embedded-Linux-Systems-Yaghmour/dp/0596529686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224163339&sr=8-1

Sean

Re: [gentoo-embedded] Documentation for embedded linux beginer

[Jean-Marc Beaune]

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I'm already "previewing" it in google books ;-)

Thanks!

On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 4:23 PM, Sean Harmer <
sean.harmer@maps-technology.com> wrote:

> On Thursday 16 October 2008 14:15:24 Jean-Marc Beaune wrote:
> > Do you know any good documentation or book?
> Take a look at this book. It gives a good insight into various embedded
> topics:
>
>
> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Embedded-Linux-Systems-Yaghmour/dp/0596529686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224163339&sr=8-1
>
> Sean
>
>


-- 
Jean-Marc

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Re: [gentoo-embedded] Documentation for embedded linux beginer

[wireless]

Jean-Marc Beaune wrote:

> I tried several times to start with embedded linux but can't really 
> figure out how to start in a proper way.

It's really quite simple.

Choose a simple problem to solve that requires an embedded system.
Running a large database and sending out packets, is not a valid
reason. Why? Because you can use a server for that purpose.
Now minimizing that server to fit into an airplane, so it is
as light-weight and low power as possible, is a valid reason
to build an embedded system.


Choose an OS (embedded linux cause it's the coolest and has too many 
readily available software resources).

Embedded linux is not the same thing as embedded (gentoo) linux!
Caveat Emptor!

Take one sheet of paper and specific the hardware resources you
need to solve that problem:

Micro controller (decision making capability based on software)

A/D analog  (input/output) digital converters ?
DIO digital input/output
usb
special sensors such as temperature, pressure, acceleration.....
flash
amount/types of memory
ethernet (or 2)
etc etc
(you make the list)


Folks on this list will help you with identifying and
solving your problem.

Choose a processor/arch that readily solves your design constraints
but has enough computation resources to run embedded linux
and to solve your problem, too.


Here is where you ask the list for architecture recommendations
for example. If your problem requires low power, so as to
run off of batteries or a solar panel, then that will
affect your selection of processor. Different processors
use vastly different amounts of energy. Low power is but
one dimension of processor selection.

If you just want to noodle in the office, you may want to
choose a processor that comes on a SBC (single board
computer) such as mini-itx  form factor or one of the epia
boards and an x86 arch, so it is closest to what you want,
and most familiar (arch) to what you have used.

You can look at the various arch's supported by gentoo embedded,
as that will quickly 'skinny down' your selection.

You can even visit various vendor web sites to look through
a myriad of boards (SBC) that the various vendors offer.

Then ask on this list to see what others have done, so you
can leverage their knowledge and get a SBC (embedded gentoo linux
board) that is familiar to persons on this list. That way
help is easy to find.


Maybe you should start by reading the list archives to see
what other (embedded) noobs have chosen to begin their
quest?


Alternatively, maybe GNAP is ready for noobs to once again build a 
simple firewall on an old x(4)86 box as their first exposure to
embedded (gentoo) linux. Make sure there is a 'body of work'
within embedded gentoo for the processor/SBC you choose,
if you want the least painful path towards your quest(goal)
of solving the problem you defined above. A firewall is a nice
project, because it's very likely to be something that you
use and maintain. Choose your problem, wisely. GNAP is a very
inexpensive introduction to embedded gentoo, as most folks
have old pc hardware just laying around.


Building an embedded system that is part of an aimless wandering
experience, most often leads to failure and abandonment. If you
build something that you want and will use to solve a problem, then
you will be hooked and will be well on your way to becoming an 
embedded systems develop, imho.


Embedded systems are spartan (hard and minimalistic) ventures that
are best employed to solve narrowly focused problems. That's the 
justification for not using a server or workstation to solve
the same problem.

ymmv,

James

Re: [gentoo-embedded] Documentation for embedded linux beginer

[Enrico Weigelt]

* wireless <wireless@tampabay.rr.com> schrieb:

Hi,

> Take one sheet of paper and specific the hardware resources you
> need to solve that problem:
> 
> Micro controller (decision making capability based on software)

Actually, I wouldn't suggest this as the first learning step,
likely too much at once for a beginner.

Better take some old box (perhaps something incompatible with your 
current workstation), choose some purpose (eg. tiny fileserver or 
router) and think about what's exactly needed for this. Then build
these packages step by step through the crosscompiler. 

Don't even consider using any distro yet (not even ptxdist) - the
goal is learning, not getting anything built quickly.

> Folks on this list will help you with identifying and
> solving your problem.

You'll also might consider subscribing to the crossgcc list.

Ah, and for building a cross-toolchain, crosstool-ng is your friend:

http://ymorin.is-a-geek.org/dokuwiki/projects/crosstool


Once you've got used to it all, you can grab out an old settop or 
router box and really dive into the embedded world.


cu
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---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Enrico Weigelt    ==   metux IT service - http://www.metux.de/
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 Please visit the OpenSource QM Taskforce:
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Re: [gentoo-embedded] Documentation for embedded linux beginer

[Mike Frysinger]

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On Thursday 16 October 2008, Jean-Marc Beaune wrote:
> I tried several times to start with embedded linux but can't really figure
> out how to start in a proper way.
>
> Let's say I know linux, I'm a power user or administrator but have no
> knowledge about embedded linux.
>
> Do you know any good documentation or book?

http://docs.blackfin.uclinux.org/doku.php?id=references_and_pointers
-mike

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Re: [gentoo-embedded] Documentation for embedded linux beginer

[Enrico Weigelt]

* Jean-Marc Beaune <jm.beaune@gmail.com> schrieb:

> I tried several times to start with embedded linux but can't really figure
> out how to start in a proper way.
> 
> Let's say I know linux, I'm a power user or administrator but have no
> knowledge about embedded linux.

IMHO, you should start with the crosscompiler, learn what it does,
to build one and it *means* to crosscompile.

Embedded systems normally require crosscompiling. 
(note: embedded != headless appliances !).


cu
-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Enrico Weigelt    ==   metux IT service - http://www.metux.de/
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Please visit the OpenSource QM Taskforce:
 	http://wiki.metux.de/public/OpenSource_QM_Taskforce
 Patches / Fixes for a lot dozens of packages in dozens of versions:
	http://patches.metux.de/
---------------------------------------------------------------------