Lecture Sheets / file revision

 Embedded Linux Packaging Systems

 Type: Lecture/presentation

 Category: Engineering/development

 Topic: Internals/System architecture/Implementation choices

 Audience: Embedded linux developers

 Duration: 45 minute presentation

 Author and Speaker

 ------------------

 Michael Schloh von Bennewitz

 Software Engineer, Europalab Networks

 web: http://michael.schloh.com/

 email: michael@schloh.com

 isdn: +49(89)44239885

 voip: sips:michael@schloh.com

 xmpp: MSvB

 Biography

 ---------

 Michael Schloh von Bennewitz is a computer scientist specializing in

 network software, mobile computing, and client server design. He speaks

 at technical events every year. In the past, he has given lectures on

 object oriented design, technical writing, network protocols, mobile

 OSs, MeeGo development, LDAP integration strategies, and the Qt library

 build process. His speaking style is humorous, using gestures and good

 eye contact. He walks about the room and writes presentations in SVG

 or HTML5.

 Abstract

 --------

 The most important concepts of software packaging are explained,

 including definitions, package ingredients (software, text, metadata,

 other data), leading to an anatomical dissection of various package

 types. A mock up package diagram eases understanding. A brief history

 of packaging systems, types, and models includes SVR5, DEB, RPM, Bundle,

 Ports, IPkg, OPkg, and APK technologies. Dependency resolution, binary

 and source packages differenciation, as well as automated package

 management concepts are considered. Embedded requirements for packaging

 include performance constraints, signing and security, hardware choices,

 as well as commercial aspects not within the developer's control. Due

 to the trend of online package stores with many big industry players

 opening 'markets', a review clarifies what commonalities, differences,

 and nuances such paradigms present. Case studies follow, leading to

 an understanding of the packaging systems used by Android, OpenWRT,

 M0n0wall, Harmattan, WetabOS, Opendreambox, and maybe Tizen.

 Demonstations include examination of the RPM-based WetabOS, the

 DEB-based Harmattan OS, and the I/OPKG-based Opendreambox on a set-

 top box.

 The audience consists of software engineers, system administrators, as

 well as advanced users of devices running embedded linux. Attendants

 expect clearly defined device groups (telephones, set-top boxes, IVI)

 and want to know the characteristics of corresponding packaging systems.

 Of importance for both hobby users as well as industry giants hoping to

 profit from the trend to 'stores' and 'markets' of software packages,

 Linux can answer the question 'what comes next in packaging technology

 and software distribution?'

 The following text is a lecture outline.

 Main chapters (20 minutes)

 --------------------------

   Concepts

     Definition of packaging

       Software, text, metadata, other data

       Anatomy of various package types

       Mock up package diagram

     History of packaging

       SVR5

       DEB

       RPM

       Bundle

       Ports

       IPkg

       OPkg

       APK

     Dependency resolution

     Binary or source packages

     Automated package management

   Requirements

     Embedded packaging defined

     Mobile packaging defined

     Performance constraints

     Signing and security

     Hardware choices

       ARM, PC Engines, Panda/Beagle board, Chumby...

     Affecting design choices

   Commercial aspects

     Trend of online package stores

     Big five (Google, Intel, Nokia, Microsoft, Apple)

     Balancing developer interest with beaurocratic apathy

       Paying money to become an 'official' developer

       Being 'allowed' to develop own applications

       Choice of license, ownership, and business models

       Unwanted nontechnical involvement

   Case studies

     Android [1]

     OpenWRT [2]

     M0n0wall [3]

     Harmattan [4]

     WetabOS [5]

     Opendreambox [6]

     Tizen [7][8]

 Demonstrations (10 minutes)

 ---------------------------

   WetabOS on ExoPC tablet (RPM)

   Harmattan on Nokia telephone (DEB)

   Opendreambox on Dream set-top box (I/OPKG)

 Optional discussion (5 minutes)

 -------------------------------

   Legacy MeeGo packaging

   Intel AppUp approach

   Packaging Arduino software

 Questions (10 minutes)

 ----------------------

   Anticipated questions

     How to make a package for a given embedded OS?

     Can a package be prepared on one device and copied to another?

     Can packages be prepared for various architectures with fat binaries?

     Architectural hardware 32-bit, 64-bit, and other CPU properties.

     How do I know which packages are installed on my device or phone?

 Relevant jokes about...

 -----------------------

   Packaging systems

   Linux operating system

 Glossary

 --------

   Debian package file (DEB)

   Redhat Package Manager (RPM)

   Android Application Package File (APK)

   Silverlight Application Package (XAP)

 Errata

 ------

   Android is not considered Linux by some.

   M0n0wall does not really run on Linux, rather on FreeBSD.

   Competing 'big five' do not all develop or distribute Linux.

   Some technology is deprecated, for example MeeGo variants.

 Lecture materials

 -----------------

 This lecture is developed on a public source code revision management

 system [9]. It is (or will be) published on a public file server [10].

 Technical requirements

 ----------------------

 A WLAN connection (for remote slide advancement,) internet connectivity

 (for demonstration purposes,) and a whiteboard (to sketch diagrams) are

 needed for this presentation.

 Links and notes

 ---------------

   [1] http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/building/

   [2] http://www.openwrt.org/

   [3] http://m0n0.ch/wall/

   [4] http://harmattan-dev.nokia.com/docs/library/

   [5] http://www.4tiitoo.com/wetab-os.en.html

   [6] http://www.dreamboxupdate.com/

   [7] http://www.tizen.org/

   [8] will be considered a valid topic pending advice from Intel reps.

   [9] http://scm.europalab.com/lectures/

   [10] ftp://ftp.europalab.com/pub/doc/lect/