Re: embdebian usable now?
On Mon, Apr 26, 2004 at 11:08:30AM +0200, David N. Welton wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm considering some different possibilities to use for an embedded
> Linux distribution, and as a long-time Debian developer, my first
> instinct is something connected with Debian.
>
> It's not a "deeply embedded" system - we have at least 32 megs to play
> with, and it has to do soft real time, but I don't see these as
> particularly difficult requirements.
First question is what is your CPU platform (x86, ARM, PowerPC, MIPS,
...). It matters, since the efficient _cross-compilation_ of Debian
packages is one of the issues that is tackled in emdebian.
> I think initially getting something up and working is more important.
>
> So:
>
> 1) Are people using embdebian in production systems now?
We have no customers using emdebian (yet). Most of our work
is based on Debian (unstable) on the host and the standard
combo of Linux/glibc/uClibc/busybox/thttpd + custom applications
on the target.
> 3) (If you care to respond) What are the advantages and disadvantages
> compared with other systems?
The main advantage should be the reuse of the massive amount of well
maintained Debian packages for an embedded context. To make this
possible, following items need to be taken into account:
- efficient cross-compilation (e.g. no host based checks)
- small footprint on the target (e.g. no documentation on target)
- separation of development server and target devices (package
management once the devices get life))
> 4) Anything else that you can think of that's cool or useful about
> embdebian :-)
If done well, it could become the major source of user land packages
for embedded systems from a community source (like Debian already is
in the server/desktop world). And we see customers that require
widely supported community (non-commercial) sources for their packages.
Hoep this helps,
Peter
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