[Updated May 8, 2003] — O'Reilly has released a new book on embedded Linux, Building Embedded Linux Systems by Karim Yaghmour.

According to O'Reilly, most books on Embedded Linux rely on the use of pre-packaged development tools or cover only one very precise aspect of running Linux on an embedded target. In contrast, Yaghmour's book shows readers how to design and build their own embedded systems based on using Linux as the kernel, along with freely available open source tools as the framework.

The book gradually introduces readers to the intricacies of embedded Linux through detailed information and examples in each chapter, culminating with an explanation of how Linux is actually deployed on an embedded device. By presenting how to build the operating system components from pristine sources, and how to find more documentation or help, Yaghmour's book aims to simplify the task of keeping complete control over one's embedded operating system, whether for technical or financial reasons.

Topics covered include system components, an overview of the Linux kernel architecture, system initialization, various chips and other hardware, and useful tools for monitoring and debugging. Among other things, Yaghmour's book explains how to . . .

• Build your own GNU development toolchain
• Select, configure, build, and install a target-specific kernel
• Create a complete target root filesystem
• Set up, manipulate, and use solid-state storage devices
• Install and configure a bootloader for the target
• Debug your embedded system

Table of contents; sample chapter

The full table of contents is here and Chapter 5, “Kernel Considerations,” is can be downloaded here (PDF file). Further details are here.

Book review

A review of Karim Yaghmour's Building Embedded Linux Systems by LinuxDevices.com technical editor Jerry Epplin appears here.

Summary:

Building Embedded Linux Systems
Karim Yaghmour
ISBN 0-596-00222-x
391 pages
Price: $44.95 (US), $69.95 (CAN), 31.95 (UK)

Website

Karim Yaghmour has recently launched embeddedTUX.org, which will serve as a companion site to Building Embedded Linux Systems, and will provide additional information about developing embedded systems based on the Linux kernel using only freely available open source and free software packages. An associated mailing list is intended to provide a forum for discussing embedded Linux topics.

 
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