Embedded Linux flexes its muscles at ESC 2001 (Part 1)

By Rick Lehrbaum
2001-04-19

Article Rating:

/ 0

Rate This Article:

Add This Article To:

In my writings about past Embedded Systems Conferences, I've characterized the impact of Linux on the embedded market as a "disruptive technology" that was rewriting the rules of the game. Not any more -- the disruption now appears to be complete! Linux is now a full-fledged, mainstream participant in the embedded market, judging by the software, hardware, and tools exhibited at this year's annual...

embedded technology mega-show.

Not that this was a big surprise, for a recently released subscriber survey conducted by Embedded Systems Programming magazine already exposed embedded Linux as the #2 embedded OS in terms of "consideration" for new designs, and #4 in terms of actual usage. The clear impression I got from this ESC is that Linux has now attained the status of being among the top three embedded operating systems -- which is right where it needs to be at this point in time.

Just to be absolutely clear about what I'm saying, in my opinion the "big three" embedded OSes are, at the moment: (1) VxWorks, (2) Embedded Linux, (3) Embedded Windows -- or (1) VxWorks, (2) Embedded Windows, (3) Embedded Linux -- depending on how you count. These days, I doubt if you can find an embedded software or hardware vendor that doesn't attribute "must-support" status to Linux, or a developer who doesn't feel compelled to investigate Linux as an embedded OS option in the course of a new product development cycle.

So Linux has, it seems fair to say, traversed a path all the way from "what's Linux?" to "disruptive technology" to "established leader" -- in the short span of about 18 months. Put simply: Embedded Linux has arrived! Quite an accomplishment, for such a brief period of time.

In fact, last week's ESC Official Show Guide had, for the first time, an entire product category devoted specifically to "Embedded Linux" (there isn't one for Embedded Windows or VxWorks, by the way). That category included the following 40 companies who weren't, by any means, all the companies at ESC that showed or promoted Embedded Linux oriented products:

Accelent Systems, ACCESS, ACT/Technico, Advantech, AMD, ANT, Applied Data Systems, Arcom Controls, Baton Rouge International, Berkeley Design Technology, Cirrus Logic, Datum, EDS Applied Engineering Solutions, the ELC's "Pavilion 101", Force Computers, GDA Technologies, General Micro Systems, Grammer Engine, INDesign, Intel, Intelligraphics, Intrynsic Software, Lineo, LynuxWorks, MontaVista Software, Motorola Computer Group, NEC Electronics, NetSilicon, NewMonics, OnCore Systems, OpenSystems Publishing, Paragon Innovations, Red Hat, Sci-worx, Sophia Systems, TQ-Components, V3 Semiconductor, ZF Micro Devices, Zilog, and Znyx Networks.

And that doesn't include the companies which exhibited in the ELC's "Pavilion 101" -- RidgeRun, Tuxia, Forth Systeme, Embedded Linux Journal, Trolltech, PalmPalm, and WiPro -- who were not allowed to have their own company listings in the show guide.

So that's the good news. The bad news, on the other hand, is that it's no longer feasible for me to cover "all things Linux" in my customary review of Linux at the Embedded Systems Conference. Therefore, I have endeavored to provide a representative cross section of what I found. My sincere apologies, in advance, to all those companies and products which have not been included!

The ELC at ESC

The Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC) created quite a stir with its proposal for a unified Embedded Linux Platform specification. The annual ELC membership meeting was attended by 75 members of the Embedded Linux Community, and featured a keynote talk (by yours truly) on The State of Embedded Linux and a report on finances, membership, and other administrative details. Of note, membership in the ELC -- which was formed roughly one year ago -- has now reached 125.

The ELC's Embedded Linux Superbooth called "Pavilion 101," which was the most popular destination at the show for developers wanting to learn more about Embedded Linux.

Above: The ELC's "Pavilion 101" booth occupied nearly half of one aisle
--- Continued ---
Story navigation . . .

	Discuss Embedded Linux flexes its muscles at ESC 2001 (Part 1)

	>>> Be the FIRST to comment on this article!



	>>> More Linux For Devices Articles Articles >>> More By Rick Lehrbaum

Email Article To Friend ♦ Print Version Of Article ♦ PDF Version Of Article

FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.