Greetings list,
I've just joined this list so pardon the newbie nature of this
e-mail.
I'm building a network appliance, hopefully with Linux, and am
looking for pointers. I've checked out most of the embedded sites,
like the "router project", the various handheld implementations,
8086/286 implmentations, etc, but nothing really seems to match my
needs. My hardware is a 75 mhz '486 with 8 MB or 32 MB of memory,
and a hard drive. Hardly even a real embedded sort of box. But it
has no head (keyboard or monitor), and when powered on, must just do
its job without fail. All interaction is via the LAN (100baseT)
connector.
The device must communicate in a diverse networking environment.
What I really need to find out is how to build the smallest kernel
that will support networking, and no logins. Our software that is in
command of the device requires about 3 MB. This I'm left with either
5 MB (small version) or 29 MB (more expensive to build). Can Linux
really support networking in about 5 MB without thrashing? Actually,
I'd like to disable swapping, too.
Our software will be establishing direct TCP connections with
client side software.
Thanks in advance,
--
Corwin Nichols, President
Microtech Systems
2 Davis Dr., Belmont, CA 94002 Ph: 650-596-1900
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.microtech.com
