Linux offers embedded designers an inherently modular operating system that can be easily scaled down to compact configurations suitable for embedded design. Plus, Linux is the fastest growing server operating system and is rapidly moving into embedded applications.

AMD offers an x86 compatible family of embedded processors that are suitable for Linux-based designs and because of Linux’s popularity, there are numerous Linux software and hardware companies on the market ready to support the requirements of embedded developers. AMD partners with third-party companies that provide Linux tools for embedded development. CAD-UL, FSM Labs and Lineo recently announced support for the AMD Élan™ microcontroller family.

AMD’s newest embedded development and reference design platforms, the ÉlanSC520 customer development platform and the NetSC520 demonstration board support Linux configurations. Both platforms provide application development and prototyping systems for AMD’s new ÉlanSC520 microcontroller. The ÉlanSC520 microcontroller provides the optimal balance between integration and flexibility for Datacom, Telecom and Information Appliance applications.

Helpful Linux Sites

BogoMips Ratings for Various Systems
http://www.justlinux.com/bin/howto.pl?file=BogoMips-3.html
This site provides reported BogoMips ratings for various systems (more than 1000 entries by more than 800 different persons, from about 50 different countries).

Linux Online
www.linux.org
Working with developers, vendors and the Linux community, the Linux site continues to provide a comprehensive resource for potential and current users of the Linux Operating System. This is the flagship site for Linux and it is the Linux site most referred to in print and on the Net.

Embedded Linux Consortium
www.embedded-linux.org
The Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC) is a nonprofit, vendor-neutral trade association whose goal is the advancement and promotion of Linux throughout the embedded, applied and appliance computing markets.

Linux Devices, the Embedded Linux Portal
www.linuxdevices.com
The Linux Devices site features News, Articles, Polls, Forum, Events, Jobs, Products, Helpful Links, and Sponsors — all exclusively focused on using Linux in embedded applications.

Embedded Linux StarGate
www.linux-embedded.com
This site features:

• FAQs and documents on how to build your own embedded Linux OS.
  
• Embedded Linux software including embedded Linux distributions, Linux as a real time system, small windowing environments, utilities, network software, and Tiny – small Linux distributions.
  
• Provides list of hardware providers embedding and giving support for linux.
  

All Linux Devices
alllinuxdevices.com
Offers a daily source for embedded Linux information, plus links to other popular Linux sites such as Linux Planet, Linux Apps, Linux Start, Appache Today, Linux Programming, etc.

Silicon Penguin
www.SiliconPenguin.com
The Silicon Penguin site provides links to relevant and current information on the companies, hardware, software and projects operating and influencing the embedded Linux community. Includes an area with links to Products (Compact PCI, DIMM-PC, PC104, Single Board Computers, Slot CPUs, VME Bus Products) built around X86 processors for embedded applications .

Other Linux Resources

Linux Planet
www.linuxplanet.com
Linux news and tutorials for system administrators.

Linux Programming
www.linuxprogramming.com
Linux Programming is a resource center for up to date news, tutorials and Linux application programming.