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Daly, P. N. 2001, in ASP Conf. Ser., Vol. 238, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems X, eds. F. R. Harnden, Jr., F. A. Primini, & H. E. Payne (San Francisco: ASP), 265
Linux BoF
P. N. Daly
National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Tucson, AZ 85726, U S A.
The Linux BoF was attended by
40 people and included brief talks
and an audience Q&A session. Martin Bly reported on Starlink's
experiences of running Linux. With Linux on x86-compatible
hardware in use
years, it is clear that it provides a cost
effective solution for reducing data. Linux is entering the
mainstream alongside Solaris etc. Hardware support issues are
reduced to problems with bleeding-edge technology with some (big)
vendors issuing Linux drivers/patches or providing information for
driver developers. The Linux management tools are very sophisticated
with several distributions using the same tools. Software tools are
much improved with an integrated C/C
/Fortran compiler set and a
number of desktop environments available. Linux integrates well into
multi-OS data processing environments.
Phil Daly updated the group on developments in real-time Linux.
There are now 130 devices supported by COMEDI
and LabVIEW looks set to support the NI cards via this route. The principal
advances for RTLinux and RTAI were ports to other
architectures (x86, PowerPC,
), 2.4 kernel support and
integrated debugging tools.
Luca Fini talked about the effectiveness of Linux in embedded (industrial)
applications by presenting two ways to build a protocol converter.
He made comparisons between an implementation
based on a PLC
SBC running a proprietary RTOS and a PC running Linux.
Luca discussed a few details of how to realize a small footprint Linux
system and how to cope with special devices used in embedded
systems such as flash memory and non-standard interfaces. He stressed
some aspects relating to the software development process.
Dave Mills updated the group on recent open source product releases (see
http://www.sourceforge.net) and described
implementing software guiders and auto-focus tools using Linux,
SDL, and frame-grabbers. Dave also provided free CDs of
TurboLinux and Linux for Astronomy.
Peter Teuben gave a talk about Beowulf clusters that covered the basic
issues in applications needing such a beast and some tips on building
one. It was clear that there was considerable interest within the BoF
regarding Beowulf clusters.
The BoF concluded with an `ask a guru' session, with the audience
asking such Linux related questions as:
- How can photo-quality print services be achieved under Linux?
- Which distributions should be avoided?
One audience member also pointed out that the headquarters of the Free
Software Foundation was just around the corner from the conference
hotel!
© Copyright 2001 Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ashton Avenue, San Francisco, California 94112, USA
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