Building Embedded Linux Systems

by Karim Yaghmour

Linux® 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 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 Trace Toolkit, 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.

Genres: Technical, Computer Science, Engineering, Software, Reference, Technology

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best book I've found on embedded development. It covers everything and all that you'll need to do for getting a real product done.

Thank the maker he came out with a new edition.

If you're working in this part of the industry you're probably looking for a book like this that is going to make your job easier.

I don't know about easy, but I wasted so much money on books that didn't do squat to help me get anything done, a total waste of time.

This book was a real help.

[Laurent]

I bought this book for its chapter on cross-compilation to setup a toolchain for building an ARM kernel on an existing linux box. There is also an interesting section on u-boot.

[Asutosh Satapathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the book has some good concepts, I believe the content is out of date. I stopped reading the book after the first 4 chapters.