[svlug] Linux in a Submarine

[Chris Miller]

On 12/21/06, SVLUG President <president at svlug.org> wrote:
> First I want to thank you - as part of doing my homework for this
> response to you, I googled "linux robot" and found some really
> wonderful articles to read, including:
> http://www.linuxfocus.org/English/May2001/article205.shtml
>
> Also, the "Damn Small Machine" associated with DSL sure
> caught my attention. http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

I'll have to look at those.

> I've done a significant amount of work with Unix-and-robots, and a bit
> of work with embedded Linux, so I can provide you with some high-level
> guidance.
>
> The first thing to assess is, does the CPU have an MMU.
>
> If it doesn't you're probably going to want to use something like
> uClinux.  Without virtual memory you've got a potential RAM
> availability problem, depending on what's running and why.
>
> Trying to save money on RAM and spending it on "cheap programming
> resources" will probably backfire.  So, if this is the case, don't be
> stingy with the RAM.
>
> If the CPU has an MMU you'll want something like DSL.  In this case, a
> flash drive or USB drive can augment your VM.
>
> Regarding drivers, etc - one proven approach is to rework the
> _hardware_ as needed to make it compliant.  I.e. replace and/pr add
> UARTS and whatever other components are needed to the circuits such
> that they will work well with the existing drivers.  This is often
> less involved than reworking the drivers to support goofy hardware.
>
> For that level of stuff, the SVLUG list is definitely not the right
> place to ask - there are numerous hardware hacking mailing lists out
> there, and remember, Google is your friend.

I wasn't interested in reverse-engineering drivers, just interested in
whether everyone thought putting linux on it was a sane idea.

> Lastly, I'd like to help you with your spelling - it's
> "thingamajigger" not "thingymajigger". :-)))

I'll be sure to keep that one in mind!  Don't want to blow my
credibility on a stupid mistake like that one again ; )

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