Developing with Embedded Linux Online

This course is designed for anyone wishing to get started quickly on working with Linux for embedded systems.

The format of Live ONLINE training from Doulos is focused on delivery of a single 4 hour intensive session per day. This includes live tuition and class interaction with the Doulos subject matter expert during the full scope of each session. 

Labs are incorporated within the 4 hour sessions with the Doulos lab platform providing individual (private) tutor support at all times for each delegate. On occasion, labs may require time outside of the 4 hour session to complete. Additional lab material is available in some subjects for individuals to reinforce their understanding of the course content. 

• An understanding of the structure of an embedded Linux system and how to work with the component parts
• Practical information about developing, analysing and debugging kernel and user space applications using a wide range of freely available Linux tools
• How to configure embedded Linux on the target, including the filesystem and the booting process

• Completion of Linux Fundamentals training or equivalent basic knowledge of using Linux as a host operating system
• Experience of working with embedded systems (e.g. using RTOS or bare machine)
• Some familiarity with C programming is useful

Doulos course materials are renowned for being the most comprehensive and user friendly available. Their unique style, content and coverage has made them sought after resources in their own right. The materials include fully indexed class notes creating a complete reference manual.

Session 1

Introduction

• Course Objectives
• Linux Background
• Open-Source Software
• Licensing
• Linux Distributions
• Development Platforms

 

Anatomy of an Embedded Linux System

• Toolchain
• Bootloader
• Linux kernel
• Filesystem
• Host to target communications
• Exercises:
  • Booting a standard image
  • Establishing target communications
  • Exploring the target filesystem

 

Session 2

Working with the Linux Kernel

• Scheduling, real-time and memory
• Kernel configuration
• Building and booting the kernel
• Board support
• Linux device drivers
• Kernel modules
• Exercises:
  • Configuring and building the kernel
  • Creating a kernel module

 

Debugging the Linux Kernel

• Kernel logs
• JTAG
• KGDB/KDB
• Exercises:
  • Using kernel logs
  • Using KDB to debug a kernel module

 

Session 3

Building Applications

• Compiling on the target
• Cross-compiling
• Static and shared libraries
• Using Autotools
• Exercises:
  • Cross-compiling
  • Creating static and shared libraries
  • Configuring and compiling an Autotools application

 

Debugging Applications

• Compiling for debugging
• Target debugging
• Cross debugging
• Other user space tools
• Debugging user space seg faults
• Exercises:
  • Target debugging
  • Cross-debugging a seg fault
  • Generating and using core-dumps

 

Session 4

Linux Applications

• Filesystem types and locations
  • How a Linux application can be structured
  • Managing processes and threads
  • Inter-process communications
  • Interfacing with the kernel
• Exercises:
  
  • Simple IPC
  • Threads and processes

 

Configuring Filesystems 1 & 2

• Filesystem contents
• BusyBox
• Filesystem types and locations
  • NFS
  • RAM filesystems
  • Block-based filesystems
  • Flash filesystems (JFFS2, UBIFS)
• Exercises:
  • Configuring and compiling BusyBox
  • Creating an initramfs

 

Session 5

Configuring the Bootloader

• The bootloader
• Bootloader choices
• Working with U-Boot
• Porting U-Boot to a new board
• Exercises:
  • Building U-Boot

 

Trace & Profile

• Linux trace technology
  • OProfile
  • SystemTap
  • SysProf
  • LTTng
  • FTrace
  • Perf
  • Other Tools
• Use case examples
• Exercises:
  • Investigating scp behaviour with trace & profile tools