White Dwarf Linux v1.0 Released for Embedded SBCs
Feb 4, 2000 — by LinuxDevices Staff — from the LinuxDevices Archive — viewsAPEX, N.C.–(company press release)–EMJ Embedded
Systems, a leading distributor of embedded solutions, has lowered the costs for developing embedded applications. Its white dwarf linux (wd linux) 1.0 is now available * here *.
Containing more than 40 software packages, including a web browser, an Apache 1.3.11 web server and email capability, white dwarf 1.0 is based on the most recent Linux kernel: 2.2.14. This tiny distribution of Linux is ideal for Internet appliances, process control, medical equipment, industrial automation, wireless applications and testing equipment.
“Linux is the wave of the future when it comes to embedded applications,” EMJ Embedded Systems Vice President Mark Estill says. “Because White Dwarf Linux is open source, developers have the ability to modify their applications whenever they want. Gone are the days of paying huge licensing fees for a proprietary operating system.” Continuing, Estill adds,”With White Dwarf Linux, engineers can use the Internet to monitor or trouble shoot embedded controllers in the field or in the factory.”
Named for a White Dwarf Star, which is a small but extremely dense star, White Dwarf Linux is small enough to load on embedded PCs but dense enough to contain the features embedded applications demand including:
- A fully graphical package — based installer that allows developers to choose the exact features they need for their applications
- TCP/ip tools including ftp, telnet, ping, hostname, ftpd, telnetd
- Mailx to allow sending and receiving of email
- A full-featured terminal emulation package
- A stripped down Apache 1.3.11 web server
- gcc development tools
- ppp drivers and scripts
- vim, a modern vi replacement
White Dwarf Linux currently runs on JUMPtec single board computers including the DIMM-PC, the MOPSlcd4 , and the MOPS586. The roadmap calls for it to support all JUMPtec and Adastra single board computers with support for other platforms in the future.
White Dwarf Linux consists of a 1.44MB bootdisk and a 1.44MB rootdisk. The bootdisk contains the kernel, while the rootdisk contains the installer needed to do a network install of White Dwarf Linux. Currently v1.0 is a package-based install that can be from 5MB to over 50MB depending on the options chosen. It is designed to download directly to the DIMM-PC's onboard flash or a chipDISK flash drive on the MOPS boards, or to an IDE Drive.
DIMM-PC, MOPSlcd4 and the MOPS586
JUMPtec's DIMM-PC/486 measures only 40×68 mm (1.57 x 2.68 inches) but packs the same punch as a standard 486 PC. DIMM-PC/486 ships with 16 MB of DRAM, 16 MB of IDE compatible flash and supports two serial ports and a parallel port, as well as floppy and hard drive interfaces, a real time clock and watchdog timer, and an I2C-bus. Ethernet and VGA/LCD capabilities are controlled by an optional DIMM-PC I/O module.
The MOPSlcd4 and MOPS586 boards from JUMPtec are PC/104 single board computers. Both feature an AMD 586 133MHz processor and 4MB of DRAM and support ethernet, two serial ports, a parallel port, floppy and hard drive, keyboard, real time clock and watchdog timer. The
MOPSlcd4 supports VGA/CRT and LCD.
About EMJ Embedded Systems (www.emj.com)
EMJ Embedded Systems, a division of EMJ America Inc., distributes a full line of single board computers, Flash solutions, PC Card disk drives, PC Card readers, PC/104 add-on cards, PC/104 peripherals, alphanumeric displays, software and enclosures.
About JUMPtec (www.jumptec.com)
JUMPtec Industrielle Computertechnik AG is a leading developer and marketer of high integration CPU and LCD controller boards for industrial applications. JUMPtec was founded in 1991 by a team of industry veterans and has extensive experience in PC technology and high integration design techniques.
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