Custom Engineering for Embedded Linux

For many years, embedded systems have been developed and deployed with the help of Red Hat's open source tools and runtime software. Because of the diverse range of embedded devices and systems, Red Hat has developed a process to customize tools and runtime software for a wide range of architectures, boards and systems.

Red Hat can help you assess your run-time software requirements, customize and optimize Linux for your embedded system, and port the open-source boot loader technology Redboot.

Embedded Linux run-time

Linux is an increasingly popular choice for embedded applications. If you are looking to work with a company that has deep Linux expertise to complement your development plans on Linux, Red Hat is the clear choice.

There are many benefits to working with Red Hat for embedded Linux:
  • Open source with wide developer support base
  • Tested, high-performance network stack
  • Multiple graphics APIs (Nano-X, MicroWindows, X)
  • Portable across multiple CPU architectures

RedBoot boot loader

RedBoot is a standardized embedded debug and bootstrap solution that provides firmware for running and debugging embedded Linux systems on a wide range of embedded platforms including ARM, MIPS, MN10300, PowerPC, Renesas SHx, v850, and x86.

RedBoot supports downloading and debugging of applications, flash, and network booting of the Linux kernel, and downloading and updating of flash images remotely via serial or Ethernet connections, thereby providing field upgradeability. RedBoot is modular and has a well-defined architecture for adding new functionality. It also provides the convenience of command line and scripting interfaces.

RedBoot enhances the use of Red Hat GNUPro development tools by providing a target side hook known as a "stub" that enables gdb, the GNU debugger, to communicate with applications built with gcc or g++ running on the target board. With RedBoot, this debugging capability is available across the wide range of supported platforms.