When I couldn't find a commercial embedded Linux distribution that could meet my needs, I decided to create my own system that I shamelessly call Coughlinux. It's not really a distribution per se, more of a how-to to create your own CompactFlash Linux system. At its heart Coughlinux is basically a hybridized version of Slackware built around the Busybox toolset. If you build your own system based on the directions I lay out here, here's a quick list of the features your system will have.
- Runs on any 486 or better processor.
- Uses kernel modules instead of building a static kernel binary, so it supports all the hardware supported by the 2.4.20 kernel.
- Wireless enabled.
- Base system occupies 32MB of space.
Coughlinux is still under very active development, which is why there isn't yet anything to download. For those of you that may have some concerns about that, let me assure you that I take the GPL very seriously and that I haven't modified any of the code Coughlinux uses, i.e. it's compiled as-is "out of the can." If you're still concerned, feel free to contact me and we can make arrangements for you to see everything that isn't "home grown," although 99% of the custom scripts and software I've written for Coughlinux is posted here already anyway. Once the design settles down somewhat, I'll try to post downloadable material for the curious.
In the meantime, why not "roll your own" distro? Here's how to get things going.
- Steps 1-5: from the bare-bones CompactFlash card to basic Linux device drivers.
- Steps 6-10: building the basic bootable system, going multi-user, and adding niceties.
Applications
Contained herein is a list of Coughlinux applications. If you have one for the list, let me know!
- Wireless Web Server. Walks you through setting up a web server, adding hotplug and pcmcia-cs support, and DHCP settings for a 802.11b PCMCIA network card.
- CGI-based GUI. How to use your new web server's CGI functionality to build a fast and responsive user interface.
- NEW! Finding Your Device On A Network. How to find your device on the network, without using static IPs.
- LAHMP, the Large Area Health Monitoring Processor. Curious as to what I'm using Coughlinux for at work? Well, here it is: an embedded health monitoring system. LAHMP listens to high-frequency creaks and groans in helicopters, planes, etc., and assesses the structural integrity of the system. It then reports the current condition of the structure and recommends a course of action. You can learn more about LAHMP by reading our patent.