Denx ELDK vs. Tool-Chain from Hollobaugh's book "Embedded Linux"

Denx ELDK vs. Tool-Chain from Hollobaugh's book "Embedded Linux"

[brian.auld]

Hello again,

I'm still slugging along here getting familiar with the GNU cross-compile
tool-chain and all that good stuff for my group's upcoming embedded 440GP
project.

We already have an ebony board (used for previous VxWorks product) and I'm
now waiting patiently for our bureaucrats to put through the order for a
BDI2000 so I can get something (U-Boot and then Linux) onto the board.

As I've played with different tool-chain options, I think I've narrowed it
down to the following.

1) Denx's ELDK
2) The tool-chain used in Craig Hollobaugh's book "Embedded Linux"

I'm not writing this to create a rivalry or incite a flame war, I'm just
looking for feedback on these two approaches. Optimally, if someone is
experienced with the pros/cons of both, I'd be really eager to hear what
your assessment is.

Also regarding (2), the book sets up the cross development environment on a
minimal debian linux box. I can't think of why, but is there any reason I
would have to stick with this distribution for my linux development server?

Thanks

-- Brian


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Re: Denx ELDK vs. Tool-Chain from Hollobaugh's book "Embedded Linux"

[Matt Porter]

On Tue, Jan 28, 2003 at 05:49:23AM -0800, brian.auld@adic.com wrote:
>
> Hello again,
>
> I'm still slugging along here getting familiar with the GNU cross-compile
> tool-chain and all that good stuff for my group's upcoming embedded 440GP
> project.
>
> We already have an ebony board (used for previous VxWorks product) and I'm
> now waiting patiently for our bureaucrats to put through the order for a
> BDI2000 so I can get something (U-Boot and then Linux) onto the board.

Just in case you aren't aware, a BDI and/or U-Boot are not necessary
in order to boot Linux on the Ebony board.  You can boot a kernel
directly from the OpenBIOS firmware now.

You can even flash PPCBoot/U-Boot using Linux booted via OpenBIOS if
you build in Ebony MTD support in the kernel.

> As I've played with different tool-chain options, I think I've narrowed it
> down to the following.
>
> 1) Denx's ELDK
>
> 2) The tool-chain used in Craig Hollobaugh's book "Embedded Linux"

Having played with a few freely available toolkits, I've found that
the ELDK is the most comprehensive free offering.  I haven't really
noticed anything major missing from the cross tools or target apps.
It should be even more complete since when I last used it 4-6 months
ago. If I didn't have an mvista toolchain for my daily work, I'd fall
back to the ELDK.

> Also regarding (2), the book sets up the cross development environment on a
> minimal debian linux box. I can't think of why, but is there any reason I
> would have to stick with this distribution for my linux development server?

No reason.  Of course, I can't imagine why anybody would host off of
anything other than Debian. :)

Regards,
--
Matt Porter
porter@cox.net
This is Linux Country. On a quiet night, you can hear Windows reboot.

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