Abstract

As Embedded GNU/Linux systems are establishing themselves as solid alternative to many proprietary OS and RTOS, not only because they allow the developer to use comodity components in embedded system (off the shelf PC's), and open a large software resource on the internet, but simply because GNU/Linux has become a reliable and mature embedded OS with available RTOS extension, thus covering the entire range of embedded devices. Demands on embedded Linux developers and providers are increasing as capabilities are available that give rise to security issues as well as system interoperability as more and more embedded systems are using the available Internet infrastructure. In the folowing article an attemt is made to scetch the top requirements for embedded GNU/Linux systems. The main chalanges I belive will be to fit contradicting demands into embedded systems - this demands are:

• Simple end-user interface vs. in depth diagnostic and administrative interface
• High level of security vs. open and simple access to the system via network and local interfaces.
• Resource contstraints vs. high system complexity and low response time, real time capabilities being one of the comon demands in embedded systems.

The information presented in this article is the destilat of the embedded Linux/RTLinux activities at FSMLabs Inc. over the past years. As the focus was on very small systems targeting real time applications and distributed systems, there naturally is a slight slant towards that end here - nevertheless this is an attempt at giving an overview for the practician and a basis for making design descisions. Embedded GNU/Linux can offer solutions satifying the contradictiong demands noted above and at the same time expanding the potential application field of embedded OS/RTOS if the advanced capabilities of GNU/Linux are taken into account from the very beginning of the design phase.