This “how-to” article by John Lombardo, adapted from his upcoming book on Embedded Linux, explains how to embed Linux and a small application in an M-Systems DiskOnChip solid-state Flash module (without violating the GPL). The article provides a detailed, step-by-step process which can be used to create and test the embedded application. Lombardo writes . . .

“This article guides you through the process of building a custom Linux image and installing it on the DiskOnChip in such a way that you will not violate the GPL. The image will be bootable and you will be able to distribute the hardware without any sort of spinning media; hard drive, floppy drive or CD-ROM . . .”

“This procedure uses the Embedded Linux Workshop presented in 'Embedded Linux'. Originally, the example was put together as a simple list of steps — however, the set of steps would require that we statically link the DiskOnChip driver into the kernel, violating the GPL. Providing a set of steps to build everything required for a dynamic runtime is well beyond the scope of this article, and besides that's exactly what the Embedded Linux Workshop is for . . .”

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