These are Embedded Linux distributions that are maintained and supported by companies as commercial products. They offer a wide range of capabilities and target a broad assortment of markets, from high-end telecommunications infrastructure, to handheld computers, to low-end embedded control . . .

Not all of the products listed here remain commercially available. However, they have been kept on the list for purposes of historical interest.

• AMIRIX: Embedded Linux — derived from standard, open source Debian GNU/Linux and tailored through addition of hardware-specific device drivers and system configuration tools. Supports small-footprint, diskless, Flash-based, headless system requirements.

• Coollogic: Coollinux — Coollinux AE (Appliance Edition) combines the power of embedded Linux and Java technology to deliver an operating system for the next generation of Internet appliances.

• Coventive: XLinux — fully featured embedded Linux kernel that can be configured to as little as 143KB for information appliances and embedded devices. Support: 586, 686, MediaGX, STPC, StrongARM, SH3/SH4, PA-RISC, ARM-7, and more.

• Esfia: RedBlue Linux — an Embedded Linux distribution for wireless communication solutions, derived from the pre-release Linux 2.4 kernel. It has a typical kernel footprint of 400K bytes and supports processors both with and without an MMU.

• KaeilOS (formerly Klinux) — a linux embedded distribution for industrial applications. It includes development and debugging instruments for embedded and real-time systems and both general and specific documentation created entirely by Koan Software, of Bergamo, Italy.

• KYZO: PizzaBox Linux — a Linux and Samba based file, print, and CD Server designed to run from 6MB of Flash ROM on a 486 (or higher) CPU.

• Lineo: Embedix — an embedded Linux-based software solution that is engineered specifically for the unique speed, memory and storage requirements of embedded devices. Supports a wide range of CPUs with and without MMUs, including X86, PowerPC, ARM, MIPS, and more. Includes support for small-footprint, real-time (based on a choice of RTAI or RTLinux), and high-availability solutions.

• LynuxWorks: BlueCat — a distribution of open source Linux, enhanced to meet the requirements of embedded developers, engineered to allow configuration to accurately match the requirements of embedded development, from small devices to large-scale multi-CPU systems and high-availability applications. Supports a wide range of CPUs including X86, PowerPC, ARM, MIPS, and more.

• Mizi: [email protected] — [email protected] is an Embedded Linux operating system with a GUI based on Qt/Embedded. Its efficiency and compact size make it well suited to Internet Appliance, Smart Phone, and PDA applications. Supported processors include ARM, StrongARM, MIPS, x86, and MPC. The OS requires as little as 2MB of DRAM and 4MB of Flash memory.

• MontaVista: Hard Hat Linux — the Hard Hat Linux Cross Development Kit targets a broad array of embedded CPU architectures board and system-level platforms for Internet appliances, portable devices, networking equipment, telephony interfaces, and other embedded and pervasive applications.

• Neoware: NeoLinux — an embedded Linux distribution that is derived from Red Hat Linux and is optimized for use in information appliances. Supports booting from local Flash memory or from a remote network server, and provides capabilities for remote system management.

• PalmPalm: Tynux — an Embedded Linux solution optimized for Internet Appliances including MP3 players, video players, Internet TVs, PDA/cell phones, Internet phones, Video conferencing equipment, Video phones, etc. —

• Red Hat: Embedded Linux — Red Hat offers both runtime and development technologies for embedded and dedicated systems ranging from deeply embedded devices to high-end appliances. Specific technologies include Embedded Linux, EL/IX, RedBoot, uClinux, and GNUPro, plus custom porting and optimization services.

• REDSonic: RedIce-Linux — an embedded Linux distribution that supports numerous embedded single-board computers and can run from both DiskOnChip or CompactFlash media. Also provides real-time capabilities.

• RidgeRun: DSPLinux — an embedded Linux distribution and toolkit focused on multimedia, wireless, and broadband devices based on dual-core processors that combine an ARM core with a digital signal processor (DSP) core on a single chip. The DSPLinux kernel runs on the ARM, while real-time tasks run on the DSP.

• SysGo: ELinOS Embedded Linux — ELinOS is based on Linux Kernel 2.4 and thereby provides the latest Linux features such as Journaling Flash File System (JFFS), Memory Technology Devices (MTD), and extensive support for USB. Support for real-time tasks is available through the RTAI kernel extension.

• TimeSys: Linux GPL — a Linux distribution for supported embedded boards. Includes a low-latency enhanced Linux kernel plus libraries, tool chains, utilities, drivers, scripts, and documentation, all distributed under the GNU Public License (GPL). Additional options are available for improving system real-time, quality of service, and networking performance.

• Tuxia: TASTE — an embedded Linux distribution that targets Internet appliances including webpads, set-top boxes, thin clients, and screen phones. Encompasses a full stack of software components, including hardware drivers, Embedded Linux kernel, graphics engine, Java Virtual Machine, and application level code.

• Vitals System: vLinux — a port of Linux for ARM-based embedded applications. vLinux can also support non-MMU ARM processors, which are suitable for low cost designs for commercial production. vLinux currently supports Samsung's ARM core based RISC processor family; however, ports to additional processors are ongoing.

• Wind River Linux — Wind River offers a General Purpose Platform Linux distribution with optional Real-time Core add-on. It also offers the following “Platform” Linux distributions aimed at specific vertical-market applications:
  • Mobile Internet Devices (based on Intel Atom architecture)
  • Infotainment
  • Network Equipment
  • Consumer Devices

* * * Please Note * * *Additional packages that target real-time applications are included in The Real-time Linux Quick Reference Guide.

---

— Continued —

---

Story navigation . . .

• Part 1: Introduction and Overview to this Guide
  
• Part 2: Embedded Linux Commercial Distributions
  
• Part 3: Open Source Embedded Linux Implementations
  
• Part 4: Recommended further reading

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.