Pro Linux Embedded Systems
Today, Linux is included with nearly every embedded platform. Embedded developers can take a more modern route and spend more time tuning Linux and taking advantage of open source code to build more robust, feature-rich applications. While Gene Sally does not neglect porting Linux to new hardware, modern embedded hardware is more sophisticated than ever: most systems include the capabilities found on desktop systems. This book is written from the perspective of a user employing technologies and techniques typically reserved for desktop systems.
- Modern guide for developing embedded Linux systems
- Shows you how to work with existing Linux embedded system, while still teaching how to port Linux
- Explains best practices from somebody who has done it before
What you’ll learn
- The anatomy of an embedded Linux project
- How to create an embedded Linux development environment
- How to configure and build an embedded Linux kernel
- How to configure and build open source projects for embedded systems
- How to minimize resources and boot times
- What resources are available in open source to help you build your project
Who this book is for
This book is for professional embedded developers who have an understanding of basic software development concepts. You don’t have to be familiar with Linux, but you should be comfortable working from the command-line.
Table of Contents
- About Embedded Linux
- Configuring the Software Environment
- Target Emulation and Virtual Machines
- Starting Your Project
- Getting Linux for Your Board
- Creating a Linux Distribution from Scratch
- Booting the Board
- Configuring the Application Development Environment
- Application Development
- Debugging Applications
- Kernel Configuration and Development
- Real Time
- Using Open Source Software Projects
- BusyBox
- System Design
- System Tuning
- Deploying Applications
- Handling Field Updates
Why Read This Book
You should read this book if you need a practical, end-to-end guide to get Linux running reliably on embedded hardware — from choosing a toolchain and bootloader to assembling a root filesystem and tuning the kernel. It focuses on system integration and pragmatic techniques that you can apply to real products rather than purely academic kernel internals.
Who Will Benefit
Embedded software engineers and firmware developers with some Linux experience who are responsible for porting, building, or maintaining Linux-based embedded products.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Comfort with the Linux command line, basic C programming, familiarity with cross-compilation concepts and embedded hardware basics (UART, flash, board bring-up).
Key Takeaways
- Build and configure cross-compilation toolchains to produce binaries for your target CPU.
- Port and configure the Linux kernel for new embedded hardware and apply kernel configuration best practices.
- Install and configure bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot) and create reliable boot/flash workflows.
- Assemble, minimize and manage embedded root filesystems using BusyBox and package strategies.
- Deploy and debug embedded Linux systems using common tools (gdb, strace, serial consoles, JTAG/QEMU workflows).
Topics Covered
- Introduction to Embedded Linux — scope and system architecture
- Toolchains and Cross-Compilation
- Bootloaders and Board Bring-Up (U-Boot, RedBoot concepts)
- Kernel Configuration, Building and Porting
- Device Trees, Drivers and Hardware Description (platform-specific topics)
- Root Filesystems: BusyBox, C libraries, and packaging
- Init, Startup, and Service Management for Embedded Systems
- Storage, Flashing and Filesystem Considerations
- Networking, Security and Remote Management
- Debugging, Profiling and Performance Tuning
- Deployment, Update Strategies and Field Maintenance
- Case Studies and Hardware Porting Examples
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Similar in scope to Karim Yaghmour's 'Building Embedded Linux Systems' but leans more toward pragmatic system integration and deployment rather than low-level build-system internals; complements 'Linux Device Drivers' for driver-level detail.
