TimeSys has relaunched its website and added two service offerings to its suite of secure, hosted network services for embedded Linux developers. New TimeSys Network services include a continuously updated component repository called LinuxDepot, and an online kernel and filesystem image builder called LinuxEngine.

Both LinuxDepot and LinuxEngine are intended for use with one of TimeSys's many Linux Development Kits (LDKs), which include a reference embedded Linux distribution targeted to a specific processor or SoC (system-on-chip). LDKs also include TimeSys's Linux Development Suite (LDS), an Eclipse-based framework for board bring-up, kernel development and debugging, and application development.

Both of TimeSys's new services include a copy of TimeSys's Linux Verification Suite (LVS), a collection of testware that works locally with LDS to verify and validate customized Linux distributions.

Additionally, both new services include access to TimeSys Network's “Developer Exchange,” an online resource that includes a knowledge base and access to TimeSys engineers and developer community through mailing lists and wikis.

Included components of LinuxDepot and LinuxEngine

LinuxDepot

According to TimeSys, subscriptions to LinuxDepot allow embedded Linux developers to rapidly customize the process-optimized reference Linux distribution included in their LDK, optimizing it for footprint, required features, hardware additions, and more. LinuxDepot also helps developers maintain their Linux implementations to stay current with the latest open source components, the company says.

The LinuxDepot service revolves around the TimeSys Network's “Component Repository,” described as a comprehensive source of continually updated kernel patches, drivers, toolchains, and root filesystem packages. The Repository includes updates for supported processor revisions and errata, over 200 source and pre-built binary root filesystem packages, and a variety of pre-built toolchains.

LinuxEngine

TimeSys's new LinuxEngine service gives TimeSys customers access to an automated online distribution and packaging system previously available only to TimeSys's semiconductor and board vendor partners. The tool, Embedded Linux Platform Builder, was launched in March, as part of TimeSys's OnBoard Program for silicon and board partners, and has been used by MIPS and ARM, as well as Freescale, to create TimeSys-certified BSPs (board support packages) and reference Linux implementations to distribute with their products, TimeSys says.

TimeSys describes Embedded Linux Platform Builder as “an intelligent, automated system that simplifies the mechanics of assembling a custom platform through advanced features such as automated build assembly, dependency tracking, and intelligent caching.”

To use the Platform Builder, developers first select desired components from the Component Repository. They then upload their custom applications, along with any package optimizations they have made. The Platform Builder then returns a complete installable distribution that can be updated on demand at any time throughout the project life cycle, TimeSys claims.

Stephen Balacco, an embedded software analyst at VDC (Venture Development Corporation), said, “TimeSys is addressing the challenge of building Linux distributions with exacting feature requirements through an enablement model that speeds and simplifies the process developers use to customize Linux.”

TimeSys CEO Larry Weidman said, “LinuxDepot is a single, continuously updated source for the components needed to tailor Linux, while LinuxEngine's sophisticated build system reduces the time and resources required to produce and maintain a complete custom Linux platform.”

TimeSys whitepapers about Eclipse-based tools:

• Creating embedded Linux filesystems with graphical tools
• Application development with Eclipse-based IDEs
• Simplifying Embedded Linux Development with Graphical Tools

Other related Stories:

• TimeSys tools gain Linux optimizations for 27 Freescale processors
• TimeSys aims embedded Linux partner program at chip vendors
• TimeSys offers evaluation version of embedded Linux tools
• Embedded Linux dev tools make hot products list
• TimeSys Linux Development Kits (LDKs)
• TimeStorm Linux Development Suite (LDS)
• TimeStorm Linux Verification Suite (LVS)

 
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.