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[DeadlyAvenger]

Hello Knowledgeable folk!

Basically, I want to learn how to configure/compile/create kernels/filesystems and applications for embedded linux systems.

Whilst I understand that not many, if any, of you have used embedded linux, I would expect that there are people that are used to using linux and might have developed software for it.

My linux experience is ok - I can install/use it, but when it comes to the programming/compiling/modifying it I'm somewhat limited.

I bought a book on embedded linux, and have been trying to follow through the basic set-up of how to set-up and configure the toolchain to compile kernels / software etc. but following the commands in the book doesn't work and I'm getting confused.

Is there anyone that would be willing to help me out/answer some questions on what I'm trying to do?

My first tasks I need to sort out are:
- Setting up the toolchain to compile/cross-compile applications on the host and target

[Brahms]

I've got a miniscule amount of experience with this, but I'm talking really minute. I might be able to point you at what to google...

I'm guessing if you're setting up the toolchain you want to get it on with makefiles and gcc flags. You could also look into scons, I hear good things about it. Are you running on a linux host machine?

[DeadlyAvenger]

I'm using my windows pc, running a RHEL distribution on a virtual machine.

[r007]

Ugh, yeah, getting the cross compilation toolchain up and running is a real PITA. Doubly so if you've not really ever done development on linux, too...

However, there are some scripts that automate most of it for you. Let me see if I can dig some stuff up.

[r007]

I think I remember having tried crosstool at some point... http://www.kegel.com/crosstool/
This sums it up nicely, too (but I would not use it as-is)... http://hermann-uwe.de/files/build-arm-toolchain

You should have gotten the basic outline of:

• Build binutils for target (so you can "edit" the target binaries)
• Build gcc for target (assuming a POSIX libc at that point)
• (optional) Build target kernel and/or headers for target libc.
• Build libc for target (may be newlib, glibc, uClibc, whatever)
• Re-Build gcc for target and libc (taking into account the chosen libc and possibly kernel)
• Compile away.

This is also essential to understand: http://www.kegel.com/crosstool/crosstool-0.43/doc/crosstool-howto.html#canadian

The system-dependent parts (kernel + config, libc) should of course match your development target precisely, as in the EXACT SAME VERSION AND CONFIGURATION.

[e90]

I'm no expert with embedded, but I would have 'thought' that a good system to learn on would be Debian not RHEL for the reason that Debain is VERY light (I know, how you configure it is more important but I think standard) and also it runs on every architecture (9?) 

To the best of my knowledge most people use Debian for these reasons... though if your book walks you through it with with rhel then so be it

Though if you find any good sites feel free to list them, would like to read (though little intention of going down that route)

[DeadlyAvenger]

Well I got fed up of struggling with RHEL, so I installed the latest version of ubuntu and started again.

I found something called ELDK which is an embedded linux development kit which is supposed to sort you out with the cross-compiler etc.

I tried compiling a "hello world" program using it and it compiled with no errors, so now I'm having a go at compiling the linux kernel for the target device using it.

[DeadlyAvenger]

FUCK YEAH.

After an insane number of months, a severe amount of cursing and having to book 2 days off work, I've finally finished the fucker!

Some vids:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d68OFS34q5s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC3fwdFhWkA

[Sonic4Ever]

Amazing!

[mode_seven]

That's fantastic, good work.

[Officer Dibble]

Can I have one?

[r007]

Congratulations, well done. Even the subtle mediamongrels startup message.

[Berath]

Cool 

[Junta]

Our beloved Sam graduates to "Linux Geek"

*wipes tear from eye*

[Zarf]

What's the hardware?