From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 In-Reply-To: <1088085327022.mikko.alutoin.17388.vROgRbiXwfx6jgnkf5FAxQ@luukku.com> References: <1088085327022.mikko.alutoin.17388.vROgRbiXwfx6jgnkf5FAxQ@luukku.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v618) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed Message-Id: <85234FE8-C60D-11D8-9586-003065F9B7DC@embeddededge.com> Cc: linuxppc-embedded@lists.linuxppc.org From: Dan Malek Subject: Re: On the MPC85xx development boards Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 14:37:17 -0400 To: Mikko Alutoin Sender: owner-linuxppc-embedded@lists.linuxppc.org List-Id: On Jun 24, 2004, at 9:55 AM, Mikko Alutoin wrote: > 4) Silicon Tx GP3 8560 Having done the development of this board, I can tell you quite a bit about it. This is an "ODM" board, which means it comes with useful software in some vertical markets. It's purpose is to be quickly functional as a product prototype, so the board size, connectors and options are designed for more than just software development. It is available today with an 8541, 8555, or 8560 processor, there are other board variations to be announced soon. RPC Electronics is providing low volume manufacturing of custom variations of these boards to meet product introduction schedules. They are also able to work with other manufacturers, provide parts kits, or whatever is necessary to minimize development resources and expedite product deployment. > I am under the impression that 1, 2, 4 and 5 (but not 3) come with a > Linux BSP included? Is this correct? Embedded Edge is providing the software which includes U-boot, Linux 2.4.26, a small distribution, and an SPE enabled version of gcc 3.3.3 with binutils. The board comes with a kernel and file system in flash, upon power up will autoboot Linux and configure the network for remote access. Unless you are doing kernel development, all you need to do is log in an mount an NFS file system to start your application development. > Let us assume that the final product will not be based on a commercial > Embedded Linux distro, but a custom 2.6 kernel with busybox & uclibc. > Should that effect the choice in any way? We are working with Freescale to get the 2.6 work merged into the kernel, so that will be available shortly for downloading. I'm not a big fan of busybox, but people have been asking so a version of that and uclibc will also be available once we get the 2.4/2.6 and glibc tools stable. > Forgive me if the questions seem a bit foolish. The bottom line is > that I have not used any kind of development boards in the past and I > would like to receive some insight on which one of the above to > choose. It's more than choosing a board. An Original Design Manufactuerer (ODM) provider is more than just a board. It's all about providing the structure that will minimize your resource investment and expediting your product development. Have fun! -- Dan ** Sent via the linuxppc-embedded mail list. See http://lists.linuxppc.org/