Objectives

This course is perfect for those wanting to develop for or build an Embedded Linux system from scratch or commercial Embedded Linux solutions.

The course starts by looking at the various components of an embedded Linux target, development choices and debugging possibilities. Next we take a more detailled look at the Linux kernel architecture, important issues such as cross compilation and building of the most important components. Finished by some more specific subjects to the choice of the customer (such as SDL multimedia, GTK development or building from distribution of choice). During this course all participants will have the opportunity to build and experiment with a multifunctional small-footprint embedded target.

Main topics

• A more in-depth look at the system architecture
• the kernel
• file systems
• processes
• networking
• more on Bash
• text editors
• Development tools
• GNU make, gas, gcc, ld, gdb (exercise)
• compiler options
• remote debugging
• options, builtins and defaults
• ldscript
• build hierarchy - structure, scripts and makefiles
• IDEs (what's available, Pro's and Cons)
• Busybox
• Kernel architecture
• processes and the scheduler
• interrupts
• memory management (exercise) drivers
• modules, kernel (exercise)
• char, block, network networking - architecture common services signals
• Host/target relationship
• cross compilation
• compiler preparation (exercise)
• linker preparation - ldscript, crt0
• building an embedded kernel
• building the root file system
• the most important components
• booting - grub, lilo, others
• Linuxheart
• a running system
• A choices of subjects chosen by the participants is added, amoung possible subjects are:
• networked targets updating techniques
• a deeper look into the SDL multimedia framework
• a deeper look at building from a distribution of choice (Debian, Red Hat/Fedora, Linux From Scratch, Knoppix, Slackware, Damn Small Linux,...)
• GTK development and footprint reducing
• a summary of what has been covered