Embedded Linux Primer: A Practical Real-World Approach (Prentice Hall Open Source Software Development Series) (Paperback)

by Christopher Hallinan (Author)
Key Phrases: kernel command line, vmlinux image, file system image, Red Hat, Kernel Debugging Techniques, File Options Help (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Comprehensive Real-World Guidance for Every Embedded Developer and Engineer

This book brings together indispensable knowledge for building efficient, high-value, Linux-based embedded products: information that has never been assembled in one place before. Drawing on years of experience as an embedded Linux consultant and field application engineer, Christopher Hallinan offers solutions for the specific technical issues you’re most likely to face, demonstrates how to build an effective embedded Linux environment, and shows how to use it as productively as possible.

 

Hallinan begins by touring a typical Linux-based embedded system, introducing key concepts and components, and calling attention to differences between Linux and traditional embedded environments. Writing from the embedded developer’s viewpoint, he thoroughly addresses issues ranging from kernel building and initialization to bootloaders, device drivers to file systems.

 

Hallinan thoroughly covers the increasingly popular BusyBox utilities; presents a step-by-step walkthrough of porting Linux to custom boards; and introduces real-time configuration via CONFIG_RT--one of today’s most exciting developments in embedded Linux. You’ll find especially detailed coverage of using development tools to analyze and debug embedded systems--including the art of kernel debugging.

 

• Compare leading embedded Linux processors
• Understand the details of the Linux kernel initialization process
• Learn about the special role of bootloaders in embedded Linux systems, with specific emphasis on U-Boot
• Use embedded Linux file systems, including JFFS2--with detailed guidelines for building Flash-resident file system images
• Understand the Memory Technology Devices subsystem for flash (and other) memory devices
• Master gdb, KGDB, and hardware JTAG debugging
• Learn many tips and techniques for debugging within the Linux kernel
• Maximize your productivity in cross-development environments
• Prepare your entire development environment, including TFTP, DHCP, and NFS target servers
• Configure, build, and initialize BusyBox to support your unique requirements

 

About the Author

Christopher Hallinan, field applications engineer at MontaVista software, has worked for more than 20 years in assignments ranging from engineering and engineering management to marketing and business development. He spent four years as an independent development consultant in the embedded Linux marketplace. His work has appeared in magazines, including Telecommunications Magazine, Fiber Optics Magazine, and Aviation Digest.

 

 

About the Author

Christopher Hallinan is currently field applications engineer for Monta Vista Software, living and working in Massachusetts. Chris has spent more than 25 years in the networking and communications marketplace mostly in various product development roles, where he developed a strong background in the space where hardware meets software. Prior to joining Monta Vista, Chris spent four years as an independent Linux consultant providing custom Linux board ports, device drivers, and bootloaders. Chris’s introduction to the open source community was through contributions to the popular U-Boot bootloader. When not messing about with Linux, he is often found singing and playing a Taylor or Martin.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR; 1 edition (September 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131679848
• ISBN-13: 978-0131679849
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,175 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #11 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > Embedded Systems
  #40 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Operating Systems > Linux > Programming
  #95 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Operating Systems > Unix

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical advice from an experienced practitioner, October 6, 2006

By	R. B. Dixon (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hallinan's book presents a balanced tour of the basic knowledge
required for an embedded Linux design effort. The subject is
exceedingly large and the author wisely chooses to focus on essentials
such as tools, debugging, and architecture. There is less emphasis on
quickly dated material such as source code tours and build
instructions as is found in other texts. This book will add to your
knowledge... not just your script library.

Two attributes of this text are notable: a) This is the only text on
the market with an overview of the latest CONFIG_RT technology found
in the Linux kernel. CONFIG_RT is a new way of reaching real time
performance requirements that does not depend on sub-kernels or
interrupt abstraction. b) The author remains true to making this a
"primer". This is an ideal book to start with and lay the foundation
for future learning

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent survey, September 28, 2007

By	M. D. Yoke - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am an experienced embedded developer that just inherited an embedded Linux-based project already in progress. As there happens to be no one else at my company with any embedded Linux experience, I automatically became the de-facto Linux expert and I needed to come up to speed on a lot of topics very quickly. I found this book to be an excellent survey of the must-know topics for the embedded Linux developer. It also contains many references to the most definitive sources of information on the various topics. Highly recommended for coming up to speed on embedded Linux.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book to study embedded Linux, March 9, 2008

By	Gilles (France, Europe) - See all my reviews

This book, the CALAO SYSTEM USB-A9260 card, an eeePC and a cross over cable is all that you need to study embedded system everywhere (even along the Seine river in Paris - yes I did it !).
The chapters about the U-BOOT bootloader, the BUSYBOX embeded Linux and an extra piece of information on the JFFS2 file system are welcome. If the cross-development environment chapter had been about BUILDROOT, this book would have been THE BOOK for the present embedded Linux based systems designers.