Post on 20-Aug-2015
“Tracing the Evolution”Open Source & Embedded Systems
Jayakumar BalasubramanianDirector, Emertxe Information Technologiesb.jayakumar@emertxe.com
Presented at Lounge47.in8th March 2014 Copyright @ Mr. Jayakumar Balasubramanian, Emertxe
Some motivation..
Personal experience:
Install, Crash, re-install, Crash – “Dorm-room” experiences!
“Migration to Linux” – Lingering over a decade now
Its everywhere – Device, Pipe and Cloud services
Viewpoint:
Open Source & Embedded products – Builder’s view
Lab prototype v/s mass production – How different or same they are?
Managing open source with open source – Recursion?
Tracing the evolution - Open Source
How it all started?
With GNU (GNU is not UNIX)
Richard Stallman made the initial announcement in 1983, Free Software Foundation (FSF) got formed during 1984
Volunteer driven GNU started developing multiple projects, but making it as an operating system was always a challenge
During 1991 a Finnish Engineer Linus Torvalds developed core OS functionality, called it as “Linux Kernel”
Linux Kernel got licensed under GPL, which laid strong platform for the success of Open Source
Rest is history!
How it evolved?
Kernel
Applications
Customization
Multiple Linux distributions started emerging around the Kernel
Some applications became platform independent
Community driven software development started picking up
Initially seen as a “geek-phenomenon”, eventually turned out to be an engineering marvel
Centered around Internet
Building a business around open source started becoming viable
Redhat set the initial trend in the OS business
Where it stands now?
OS Databases Server/Cloud
Enterprise
Consumer Education CMS eCommerce
Business models
Consulting & Support
• Charge for specific consulting service offering • Technical installation, customization and support
Dual License
• Distribution under two sets of terms and conditions• Community and Commercial editions
Partner program
• Developer/Partner ecosystem• Hosted as a platform
Donations
• Address a non-commercial need• Create a donation system and raise funds
Licensing blues..
Copyright and Copy left
GNU General Public License (GPL)
Freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve
(“Free” = “Freedom”) != “Free Beer”
Commercial distribution
Reciprocation
Derived work
Inflection Point – Linux Kernel
Kernel history
Embedded + Kernel
Non x86 architectures in Embedded Systems
Secure and portable monolithic architecture
Supports multiple instructions (ARM, MIPS, PPC etc…) – ideal for Embedded
Quality and reliability of code
Communication protocols and software standards
Cost and Time-to-market advantages
Vendor independence
Engineering marvel
* Source: Linux foundation report, 2013
Why so?
Product features into Kernel, wider adaption
Higher interest from semiconductor companies
Global development model, leveraging talent
Influencing ability
Organizational brand
Bottom line: It no longer a geek phenomenon. Can’t afford to miss this any more
Embedded products using Open Source
Three aspects
Build
Qualify
Manage &
Release
What do I want to build? How am I doing to build?
How to I test and qualify the product?
How to I manage the product and release to my customers?
• Building ‘lab prototype’ is different from ‘mass manufacturing’• Application product building doesn’t suite Embedded
Step-1 : Build
Choice Points• Which version of Kernel?• Which development environment?• Tool chain• Drivers and binaries• Support and training
Key actions:• Download Kernel: http://www.kernel.org• Develop BSP (if required)• Build the image (Use Build-root or Yocto) • Add custom functionality• Development & Coding
Step-2 : Qualify
Code & Build
Code quality
TestSecure & Scale
Automate Diagnostics
Step-3 : Manage
Project Mgmt
Bug tracking
Collaboration
Right from setting initial code base, open source tools are available for develop, Qualify and release the final product. There are very useful product/project management tools available to easily manage it.
Closing notes..
Its no longer a “geek phenomenon”!
For new product ideas all of us (engineers, enthusiasts and entrepreneurs) can rely on Open Source and its associated ecosystem
Excellent product/project management tools are available to monitor, track and launch commercial Embedded products
Qualification is a very mature area in Open Source, which MUST be leveraged
Obvious benefits in terms of – Cost, Time-to-market, Support and a sense of contribution
Tux Rocks!