Product Description
Linux(R) is being adopted by an increasing number of embedded systems developers, who have been won over by its sophisticated scheduling and networking, its cost-free license, its open development model, and the support offered by rich and powerful programming tools. While there is a great deal of hype surrounding the use of Linux in embedded systems, there is not a lot of practical information. "Building Embedded Linux Systems" is the first in-depth, hard-core guide to putting together an embedded system based on the Linux kernel. This indispensable book features arcane and previously undocumented procedures for:

Building your own GNU development toolchain

Using an efficient embedded development framework

Selecting, configuring, building, and installing a target-specific kernel

Creating a complete target root filesystem

Setting up, manipulating, and using solid-state storage devices

Installing and configuring a bootloader for the target

Cross-compiling a slew of utilities and packages

Debugging your embedded system using a plethora of tools and techniques

Details are provided for various target architectures and hardware configurations, including a thorough review of Linux's support for embedded hardware. All explanations rely on the use of open source and free software packages. By presenting how to build the operating system components from pristine sources and how to find more documentation or help, this book greatly simplifies the task of keeping complete control over one's embedded operating system, whether it be for technical or sound financial reasons.

Author Karim Yaghmour, a well-known designer and speaker who is responsible for the Linux TraceToolkit, starts by discussing the strengths and weaknesses of Linux as an embedded operating system. Licensing issues are included, followed by a discussion of the basics of building embedded Linux systems. The configuration, setup, and use of over forty different open source and free software packages commonly used in embedded Linux systems are also covered. uClibc, BusyBox, U-Boot, OpenSSH, thttpd, tftp, strace, and gdb are among the packages discussed.

Preface

1. Introduction

• Definitions
• Real Life and Embedded Linux Systems
• Example Multicomponent System
• Design and Implementation Methodology

2. Basic Concepts

• Types of Hosts
• Types of Host/Target Development Setups
• Types of Host/Target Debug Setups
• Generic Architecture of an Embedded Linux System
• System Startup
• Types of Boot Configurations
• System Memory Layout

3. Hardware Support

• Processor Architectures
• Buses and Interfaces
• I/O
• Storage
• General Purpose Networking
• Industrial Grade Networking
• System Monitoring

4. Development Tools

• Using a Practical Project Workspace
• GNU Cross-Platform Development Toolchain
• C Library Alternatives
• Java
• Perl
• Python
• Ada
• Other Programming Languages
• Integrated Development Environments
• Terminal Emulators

5. Kernel Considerations

• Selecting a Kernel
• Configuring the Kernel
• Compiling the Kernel
• Installing the Kernel
• In the Field

6. Root Filesystem Content

• Basic Root Filesystem Structure
• Libraries
• Kernel Modules
• Kernel Images
• Device Files
• Main System Applications
• Custom Applications
• System Initialization

7. Storage Device Manipulation

• MTD-Supported Devices
• Disk Devices
• To Swap or Not to Swap

8. Root Filesystem Setup

• Selecting a Filesystem
• Using an NFS-Mounted Root Filesystem to Write a Filesystem Image to Flash
• CRAMFS
• JFFS2
• Disk Filesystem over NFTL
• Disk Filesystem over RAM Disk
• Mounting Directories on TMPFS
• Live Updates

9. Setting Up the Bootloader

• Bootloaders Galore
• Server Setup for Network Boot
• Using LILO with Disk and CompactFlash Devices
• Using GRUB with DiskOnChip Devices
• U-Boot

10. Setting Up Networking Services

• The Internet Super-Server
• Remote Administration with SNMP
• Network Login Through Telnet
• Secure Communication with SSH
• Serving Web Content Through HTTP
• Dynamic Configuration Through DHCP

11. Debugging Tools

• Debugging Applications with gdb
• Tracing
• Performance Analysis
• Memory Debugging
• A Word on Hardware Tools

A. Worksheet
B. Resources
C. Important Licenses and Notices
Index