Embedded Linux: Building a System from the Ground Up Training Course

Buildroot is an open-source project that provides scripts to generate a cross-compilation toolchain, a customizable root filesystem image, and a Linux kernel for embedded devices. During this practical course, participants will learn how to utilize Buildroot effectively: - How to select the software components that will be included in the root filesystem. - How to add new packages and modify existing ones. - How to incorporate support for new embedded boards. Throughout the course, participants will create bootable filesystem images. Remote courses are conducted using the QEMU emulator, while in-person sessions may use either QEMU or actual embedded boards chosen by the instructor. Other projects with similar objectives include the Yocto Project and OpenWRT. For detailed comparisons to help determine which solution is best suited for your needs, please refer to these presentations: [Buildroot vs. OpenEmbedded](https://bootlin.com/pub/conferences/2016/elc/belloni-petazzoni-buildroot-oe/belloni-petazzoni-buildroot-oe.pdf) and [Embedded Linux Build Systems](https://elinux.org/images/0/0a/Embedded_Linux_Build_Systems.pdf). These resources are particularly useful for government agencies seeking to standardize their embedded systems development processes.

Course Objectives

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the essentials of embedded GNU/Linux, including how its components integrate. This course will cover what is needed to build an embedded GNU/Linux system, where to source these components, and how to configure, build, and install them. It will also address sources of assistance and the implications of software licenses. Hands-on exercises will equip participants with practical experience necessary for developing their own embedded GNU/Linux systems after successfully completing the training.

Description

This five-day training class combines hands-on exercises with instructional sessions to elucidate the concepts of embedded GNU/Linux. It is designed to bring participants up to speed quickly, covering the philosophy, concepts, and commands essential for effective use of GNU/Linux. The course employs a blend of theoretical instruction and practical on-the-job training to ensure a thorough understanding.

Avoid reinventing the wheel by learning from an experienced trainer and gaining a working knowledge of GNU/Linux, enabling you to utilize it effectively in your embedded development projects.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for managers, project managers, software engineers, hardware engineers, developers, systems engineers, testers, administrators, technicians, and other professionals interested in the technology. It is particularly beneficial for those who must use GNU/Linux or are considering whether it makes sense to adopt it. Whether you have already attempted to use embedded GNU/Linux but are unsure of your approach, or currently use a different operating system and want to evaluate if GNU/Linux might be a better and more cost-effective solution, this course is tailored for you.

Delivery Options

All training materials are provided in English, with the presentation available in either English or German, as preferred, on a global basis.

• On-site - instructor-led
• Online - instructor-led
• Combination of on-site and online - instructor-led

This training is designed to align with the needs of professionals for government and private sector projects, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to leverage embedded GNU/Linux effectively.

This two-day course is designed with approximately 60% hands-on labs, focusing on the internals, architecture, development, and integration of device drivers for the Embedded Linux kernel. Participants will gain practical experience in writing and integrating various types of device drivers. ### Who Should Attend? Engineers interested in developing Linux kernels for embedded systems and platforms are encouraged to attend this course. The content is tailored to enhance skills and knowledge in a field that is critical for government and industry applications, ensuring alignment with public sector workflows and governance standards.

This two-day course provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of building Embedded Linux Systems. Approximately 60% of the course time is dedicated to practical, hands-on implementation, focusing on real-world applications and utilizing the same standards and tools employed in the industry. This training is designed to enhance skills and knowledge for government professionals and align with public sector workflows, governance, and accountability.

An embedded system is a specialized computer system designed to perform a specific function within a broader mechanical or electrical system, frequently under real-time computing requirements. These systems are integral to various applications and are essential for government operations that demand reliable and timely performance.

Embedded Linux & Yocto is a build framework and development ecosystem utilized to create customized Linux distributions for embedded devices. This instructor-led, live training (available online or onsite) is designed for beginner to intermediate level embedded developers who aim to use Embedded Linux and the Yocto Project to develop, customize, and deploy Linux-based systems on an i.MX6 hardware platform. By the end of this training, participants will be able to: - Understand the architecture of an embedded Linux system on an i.MX6 platform, including the bootloader, kernel, device tree, and root filesystem. - Set up a build environment using the Yocto Project (Poky + BitBake) tailored for the i.MX6 board. - Construct a custom Linux image, install it on the hardware, and execute user-space applications. This training is aligned with best practices for government to ensure efficient and secure development processes in public sector workflows.

Description

This five-day training course combines hands-on exercises with comprehensive instruction to provide a deep understanding of GNU/Linux kernel internals and device driver development. It is designed to bring participants quickly up to speed by covering the essential processes, concepts, and commands needed for writing effective GNU/Linux device drivers. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical, on-the-job training.

Avoid reinventing the wheel by learning from experienced trainers who will equip you with a working knowledge that can be effectively applied to your own embedded development projects, ensuring alignment with public sector workflows and governance for government.

Who Should Attend?

This course is suitable for individuals tasked with or interested in the development or evaluation of GNU/Linux device drivers. Participants may include software engineers, field engineers, project managers, and hardware engineers who are looking to enhance their skills in this domain.

The LEDE Project (Linux Embedded Development Environment) is a Linux operating system derived from OpenWrt. It serves as a comprehensive replacement for the default firmware on a variety of wireless routers and non-network devices. This instructor-led, live training session will guide participants through the process of setting up a LEDE-based wireless router. **Audience** - Network administrators and technicians **Course Format** - The course combines lectures, discussions, exercises, and extensive hands-on practice to ensure a thorough understanding of the material. This training is designed to enhance skills and knowledge for government network professionals, ensuring they can effectively implement and manage LEDE-based solutions in their organizations.

This instructor-led, live training in US (online or onsite) is aimed at engineers who wish to implement NetApp ONTAP for government environments. By the end of this training, participants will be able to: - Set up and administer ONTAP 9.3 Cluster (3 days). - Safeguard data through Data Protection technologies (2 days).

In this instructor-led, live training in US, participants will learn how to create a build system for embedded Linux based on the Yocto Project, tailored specifically for government applications.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental concepts behind a Yocto Project build system, including recipes, metadata, and layers, as they apply to public sector workflows.
• Build a Linux image and run it under emulation, ensuring alignment with government standards and requirements.
• Save time and energy in developing embedded Linux systems for government use.

Description

This four-day training combines theory with hands-on exercises to introduce the Yocto Project. It addresses frequently asked questions such as:

• Is it really necessary to use different versions of the toolchain, libraries, and packages for each GNU/Linux project, and follow a distinct workflow?
• Can you ensure that the development environment is identical for all developers and suppliers, and still produce consistent builds even 10+ years from now?
• Can the Yocto Project help identify the software licenses under which the packages you use are licensed?

Hands-on sessions are conducted on target hardware (e.g., Beagle Bone Black Rev. C - ). After the training, participants will be able to download a Docker image with Ubuntu 14.x and all dependencies pre-installed, along with examples, to work with the course material in their own labs. Please note that this is not an introductory course to Embedded GNU/Linux. Participants should already have knowledge of how Embedded GNU/Linux works and how to configure and build the GNU/Linux kernel and kernel drivers.

Who should attend?

This training is designed for individuals who are currently using GNU/Linux in their projects and may have heard about the Yocto Project but have not had the opportunity to explore it further or encountered difficulties in its use. If you are unsure whether your daily workflow can be accommodated within the Yocto Project and find it complex, this course will help you determine if the Yocto Project is necessary for government projects. The workshop is aimed at software engineers, development engineers, system engineers, testers, administrators, and other professionals with a solid understanding of Embedded GNU/Linux.