Update on the Embedded Linux Market (Oct. 2002)

By Linux Devices
2002-10-30

Article Rating:

/ 0

Rate This Article:

Add This Article To:

A message from LinuxDevices.com founder, Rick Lehrbaum, on the occasion of the third birthday of LinuxDevices.com . . .

Today marks the third anniversary of the launch of LinuxDevices.com ("the Embedded Linux Portal"). I launched the site on Halloween, 1999, in symbolic celebration of the infamous "Halloween Documents", which exposed Microsoft's growing fears of Linux.

At the time when LinuxDevices.com was launched, the use of Linux as an embedded operating system was virtually unheard of. Lineo, MontaVista, and Zentropix (who all participated in the announcement of the site's launch) had barely announced themselves as sources of embeddable versions of Linux, and Embedded Linux hadn't yet arrived on the radar screens of embedded market analysts like VDC, IDC, and EDC.

In short, three years ago the "Embedded Linux Market" simply didn't exist.

Much has changed since then. Numerous companies have jumped on -- and off -- the fast-moving Embedded Linux bandwagon, which has seemed more like a rocketship much of the time. The technology and Linux stock "market bubbles" offered plentiful investment capital which fueled unnaturally rapid growth of Linux companies (including a handful of Embedded Linux companies) beyond their ability to sustain themselves from actual revenues. For some, the bursting of the bubble left them either out of business or in search of different businesses. For others, it meant tightening the belt and settling down to a more traditional business model.

Throughout all of this, though, the benefits of using Linux in smart devices and embedded systems have not only persisted, but grown exponentially. The newly established Embedded Linux vendors have provided new tools, OS extensions, middleware, and support to enhance the value of using Linux in embedded applications. In parallel, "ordinary" Linux itself has evolved at a rapid pace.

And the result has not been missed by those who make the design decisions. The following recent market studies and overviews testify to the growing prominence of Embedded Linux as the embedded OS of choice . . .

As another indication of the vitality of this new market, consider the number of Embedded Linux related pages of content currently available at LinuxDevices.com . . .

3385 news items
625 articles
400 product listings
410 link listings
1200 directory listings

. . . and a Google search for "LinuxDevices.com" currently turns up over 20,000 references!

Reflecting on the past three years, I can say once again that it's been a really exciting ride -- and I am convinced that the best is yet to come! After all, keep in mind that Embedded Linux is not itself a consumer product. It is a component used in the design of products and devices, a process which typically takes 12-24 months to come to fruition. Given that Embedded Linux -- like LinuxDevices.com -- was born just over three years ago, the vast majority of what must surely be thousands of different kinds of devices and systems that have had an Embedded Linux operating system designed into them are probably just getting ready to be supplied to their customers.

In just three years, Embedded Linux has risen from relative obscurity to recognition as one of top two OS choices for new designs of smart devices and embedded systems. Imagine where it'll be in another year!

Best regards,
Rick Lehrbaum
Founder and Executive Editor, LinuxDevices.com

Related stories:

Talk back! Do you have comments ore questions on this story? talkback here

	Discuss Update on the Embedded Linux Market (Oct. 2002)

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



	>>> More Linux For Devices Articles Articles >>> More By Linux Devices

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.