> 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.
>
We have built something similar.
We have a Pentium-class CPU with 16M of memory. Has a 4MB flash
drive which it boots from, then builds a RAM disk in 8MB of
memory, and runs in the other 8MB. If you are going to go to the
lengths to remove all drivers except for the Enet, you might be
able to run in 5MB.
I don't have access to the details today. If you want more info,
let me know and I'll see what I can dig up.
Rick Fadler
NetLeaf, Inc
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
425-643-9610
