Tools and distributions for embedded Linux development

“The deployment of Linux on the desktop and in the server room
is well served by the general-purpose distribution. In the embedded
world things are very different: although Linux is used widely, the
concept of the general-purpose distribution is much less in
evidence. Many vendors rely on forked board support packages or
home-grown builds to create their systems, effectively creating
their own customized distribution in the process. While embedded
platforms represent a challenge to the traditional Linux
distribution, there is no shortage of community projects to support
the development of embedded Linux systems.

“What makes embedded systems different?

“The primary challenge presented by embedded systems is their
diversity. Embedded device hardware tends to vary both in terms of
design and capability. Even between generations of the same
product, it is not unusual for a major system component such as the
CPU to change completely. In addition, most embedded devices
contain a fair amount of custom, closed-source software which is
not packaged by a distribution. The combined effect of this
hardware and software diversity is that most embedded devices are
unique in one way or another, meaning it is difficult to design an
embedded distribution which is simultaneously general enough to be
useful and targeted enough to be efficient across a range of
embedded platforms.”

Complete Story