[OT} small systems (was: RFD: Rework/extending functionality of mdev)

[Laurent Bercot]

> ACK ... but what do you think about e.g. tcpsvd (accepting incoming
> tcp connections), or netlink reader?

  tcpsvd is precisely a super-server. That's where I would draw the line.
  A netlink reader probably has its place.
  But really, I have my own super-servers and my own netlink reader, so
I honestly don't care if they're in Busybox or not, as long as I can
configure them out. :P


> Linux kernel including cpio to setup initramfs is around 6 to 8 MByte
> on modern kernel versions (complete system kernel + system tools +
> application scripts) ... running on a system with 64 MByte or even 16
> to 20 MB. No disks at all. Boot from CD-ROM drive, then turn it of.
> ... but nowadays more likely boot from USB stick :) ... 256 MByte
> stick :) ... vintage ... 32 MB Boot partition, boot loader files +
> boot images + System Config, rest of stick is data storage.

  [pissing contest on]
  Yes, that's how I built a few machines. The first one I built had 8 MB
of RAM. I was still learning Unix and C at the time, and it wasn't
pretty, but it was running. I still have a Soekris net4501 with a
32 MB CompactFlash card, it was my regular router for years, and I
only upgraded it when I wanted gigabit ethernet at home. A complete
system ran on that machine, including qmail, dnscache and a few
homemade servers; the compactflash was a squashfs root filesystem,
and I built it offline with my own two hands. One of the best
learning experiences there is.


> microcontroller ... and OS? what's that? which OS? first instruction
> executed by CPU after reset at address X ... that was my job world

  OK, you're even crazier than the guy I'm talking about, I can give
you that. ;)


> Do you remember those 386SX ITX board based systems ...

  Yes. *shudder*
  I still have a scar on my hand from building PCs with razor-sharp
metal edges.
  And good job on dropping the hard disk and fan. I didn't get to
do that before 2001 or so.


> ... and have you ever tried to teach an old dog new tricks? :)

  I am absolutely not denying your experience or hacker status,
or pretending to teach you anything. I'm just insisting that
small and resource-efficient systems, even by standards from
15 years ago, can *also* be built by combining different sets
of tools.


> Do I know how to do it in different ways? Yes
> Do I like to it different? NO!!!

  OK, OK, I get it. Thanks for the explanation. :)

-- 
  Laurent