Linux Embeds Itself Yet Further (ComputerWorld)

[Posted December 14, 2010 by ris]

Glyn Moody muses on the importance of Linaro. "This lends Linaro's focus a particular value: it is about spreading open source in one of the fast-growing sectors. Moreover, it's one where free software's low/zero cost, robustness, small size and customisability are crucial advantages over traditional proprietary solutions. Indeed, I think it's pretty clear that the embedded world will be one that Linux is likely to dominate, at least in the medium term, until something completely new and better comes along (assuming that ever happens)."

Linux Embeds Itself Yet Further (ComputerWorld)

Posted Dec 14, 2010 19:38 UTC (Tue) by Los__D (guest, #15263) [Link] (3 responses)

I don't know about "small size"... Wasn't the primary reason for Linksys' change to VxWorks the footprint of the OS?

Linux Embeds Itself Yet Further (ComputerWorld)

Posted Dec 14, 2010 20:47 UTC (Tue) by busterb (subscriber, #560) [Link] (2 responses)

Can you even get the 2Mbyte flash parts that the WRT54Gv6 used anymore? I would image that devices that cannot run Linux and fit in the $30-60 of the average wifi router are far and few between these days.

Also, note, DD-WRT did eventually fit Linux onto the WRT54Gv6's limited space:

http://blogfranz.blogspot.com/2008/07/killing-your-vxwork...

Linux Embeds Itself Yet Further (ComputerWorld)

Posted Dec 14, 2010 22:09 UTC (Tue) by Los__D (guest, #15263) [Link]

I have no idea, I just think that small is a relative term, and if there's smaller OSes, it is not really all that correct to talk about "small size".

OTOH, I'm pretty sure that the scope of VxWorks is quite a bit more limited, which makes a straight comparison on size a bit unfair.

Linux Embeds Itself Yet Further (ComputerWorld)

Posted Dec 15, 2010 4:56 UTC (Wed) by dlang (guest, #313) [Link]

I have a dozen or so wifi routers purchased from Fry's for $29US that I now have running DD-WRT (2.4GHz b/g/n)