My Linux is smaller than your Linux

By Rick Lehrbaum
2000-06-09

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In this article, LinuxDevices.com founder Rick Lehrbaum explores the age-old question, "How much RAM memory and disk space does an embedded system require to run Linux?" Along the way, Lehrbaum seeks the sage advice of Lineo CTO Tim Bird, MontaVista embedded Linux evangelist Bill Weinberg, and Red Hat CTO Michael Tiemann. Lehrbaum writes . . .

"Unlike many realms of human endeavor, when it comes to designing embedded systems, the goal is often to use as few resources as possible. In embedded systems, less is more, in many ways. Using less resources means less cost, less heat generation, more battery life, more reliability -- and best of all, a more successful product."

"During the past year, Linux has rocketed to prominence as one of the two or three most popular operating systems for new embedded system designs. Since "Embedded Linux" as a product is less than one year old, and given the common perception of Linux as a full-function server or desktop OS that requires hundreds of megabytes of disk space, it's no surprise that one of the most common questions about embedded Linux among developers is 'How much RAM memory and disk space does an embedded system require to run Linux?'"

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