Comprehensive Real-World Guidance for Every Embedded Developer and Engineer

This book brings together indispensable knowledge for building efficient, high-value, Linux-based embedded products: information that has never been assembled in one place before. Drawing on years of experience as an embedded Linux consultant and field application engineer, Christopher Hallinan offers solutions for the specific technical issues you’re most likely to face, demonstrates how to build an effective embedded Linux environment, and shows how to use it as productively as possible.

Hallinan begins by touring a typical Linux-based embedded system, introducing key concepts and components, and calling attention to differences between Linux and traditional embedded environments. Writing from the embedded developer’s viewpoint, he thoroughly addresses issues ranging from kernel building and initialization to bootloaders, device drivers to file systems.

Hallinan thoroughly covers the increasingly popular BusyBox utilities; presents a step-by-step walkthrough of porting Linux to custom boards; and introduces real-time configuration via CONFIG_RT--one of today’s most exciting developments in embedded Linux. You’ll find especially detailed coverage of using development tools to analyze and debug embedded systems--including the art of kernel debugging.

• Compare leading embedded Linux processors

• Understand the details of the Linux kernel initialization process

• Learn about the special role of bootloaders in embedded Linux systems, with specific emphasis on U-Boot

• Use embedded Linux file systems, including JFFS2--with detailed guidelines for building Flash-resident file system images

• Understand the Memory Technology Devices subsystem for flash (and other) memory devices

• Master gdb, KGDB, and hardware JTAG debugging

• Learn many tips and techniques for debugging within the Linux kernel

• Maximize your productivity in cross-development environments

• Prepare your entire development environment, including TFTP, DHCP, and NFS target servers

• Configure, build, and initialize BusyBox to support your unique requirements

About the Author

Christopher Hallinan, field applications engineer at MontaVista software, has worked for more than 20 years in assignments ranging from engineering and engineering management to marketing and business development. He spent four years as an independent development consultant in the embedded Linux marketplace. His work has appeared in magazines, including Telecommunications Magazine, Fiber Optics Magazine, and Aviation Digest.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 12 Ratings

Really heapful - 2008-05-30
Reviewer Rating:
For those engineers who start their first embedded Linux project, this book is a must have. The book is not for those who want to understand how kernel runs but it gives you the most important concept and work flow to bring up the OS on your development board. The author also provides a useful further reading list in case you want to dig more. A very practical and clearly written book and I would recommend it to those who have solid experience in embedded development but just start to explore in Linux.

Excellent Book - 2008-12-22
Reviewer Rating:
This book is excellent to construct embedded software using Linux. This book explain all the process involved in embedded devices (toolchain, bsp, bootloader, cross-compilation, etc). This book is not inteded as entry book, you must have experience with Linux, C, compilers, etc. There are plenty lines of code an examples therefore is a practical book but you need to work on it

This book is a professional one, therefore this book can carry you to get real embedded linux appliances.

Jorge Luis

About the best book on embedded linux - 2009-02-15
Reviewer Rating:
I am just a newbie to the embedded linux world. Of all the books I have seen this book was the best overview as well as technical reference. It is well organized so that someone new to embedded linux will not get overwhelmed but it is also a good overall reference. It goes over all of the different bootloaders, target devices, file systems, busybox, etc. I would NOT recommend it to a reader without some background with linux. The whole embedded linux development moves very quickly so there may be need for new edition soon. It is a must buy if you are interested in learning embedded linux.

A great book on the subject - 2008-08-26
Reviewer Rating:
I confirm all that has been said.

It is the first source I have found that explains building the linux kernel in a way that makes it easy to understand. While you might be able to find this information on the net, this makes it easy to get an overall view of what is going on.

It is easy to read, and has great references. Well worth the price.

Valuable resource - 2009-07-02
Reviewer Rating:
From a colleague: "Embedded Linux Primer has already provided me with valuable information. It is very practical and with the right level of information. I haven't read all of it yet but I am sure it will be a great help." She's working on an embbeded controller for automated process sequencing with a web server acting as the user interface.

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