Yocto x86
When clients seek a custom board support package (BSP) for x86 components, the answer is often Yocto project. A framework and approach for deploying embedded Linux, Yocto project development environment is an area where Witekio engineers have developed significant expertise through hundreds of projects in a dozen different industries over the last decade.
What is Yocto for x86?
The Yocto Project is an open-source framework that allows a developer to build a Linux operating system on a device. Supported by the Linux Foundation and an alternative to options like Buildroot, the Yocto development environment provides the tools and processes that developers need to deploy Linux on embedded systems. Yocto project for x86 is simply a means to build that Linux system on the popular x86 machines that have long supported a significant portion of the computing market.
The main challenges of Yocto for x86
No ready-made solution
While x86 might be among the most popular boards for embedded systems and connected devices, there may not be a suitable ready-made solution for your particular hardware combination and use case. Without something prepared off the shelf, your internal teams might find themselves stuck.
Insufficient demonstrator
Many x86 boards are delivered with demonstrator operating systems. These pre-built demonstrators are designed to show off the capabilities of the board, but often cannot be easily adapted or customized to the specific needs of your product, as a custom build system can do. With Yocto Project you can develop and build the complete software stack for your specific needs.
Replace standard Linux
Linux remains the world’s most deployed operating system and is dominant in the embedded and connected device space. However, a pre-built Linux kernel may also be too much operating system for your device and a lighter, bare-bones Yocto project deployment is a better fit for your use case than a standard desktop-ready Ubuntu system or other Linux distributions.
Key elements to consider
Travis Rothlisberger
Director of Device Development
We approached Witekio having limited prior experience with embedded Linux or Qt, and came away not only with a viable proof-of-concept but also with a solid foundation for continued product development on this and other projects.
HOW TO DEVELOP A YOCTO FOR X86 PROJECT
Pre-development
Before any work begins on developing your Yocto layer for an x86 machine, our engineers sit down with your teams to align on the most important elements of the project.
Ideally, our engineers and developers will be able to review the schematic for your device and have a full understanding of the x86 machine and any peripherals that will be part of your system. The schematics help our team to know not only what exists today, but also what might be engaged in the future for this device.
As well as the schematic, reviewing the hardware physically is often critical to customizing the BSP for optimal performance. Getting hands-on with battery and energy constraints, heat challenges, and screen interfaces can help our teams design the perfect build system for your device.
Finally, for existing systems that need an update or refresh, reviewing the documentation is important in setting a baseline understanding of the device, how it currently works, and what features and components are integrated and critical to its use.
Development
With a clear conception of the project, the hardware, the constraints of the machine, and the goals of the project, our software building teams can begin to deliver on the development roadmap.
Yocto development begins with the creation of the Yocto layer for your x86 machine. Witekio teams are experts in Yocto, and the company is deeply engaged in the Linux Foundation’s Yocto Project as Gold Members, evidence of both our expertise and our commitment to the Yocto framework.
Next, our teams tailor and customize the Yocto layer to fit your specific x86 components and the device you are building. Customizing the BSP allows you to control not only the clocks and pins of the hardware, but also all of the software layers that will eventually be added to the x86 machine.
We deliver the custom code to your team and demonstrate how it meets your needs and expectations. Of course, your teams have been in contact with our developers throughout the entire build process, but delivery is the official handover of the code for your teams to flash to the x86 machines.
Finally, our teams gather your feedback and understand the next steps in your project. Even after a device or wearable is commercialized and marketed, there will be updates to install, upgrades to prepare, and security patches to deploy. By working with your team on post-delivery planning, you will be better positioned for success.
Post-delivery
After the Yocto layer and Linux OS for your x86 has been delivered, there is still opportunity for our team to add significant value to your project.
To begin with, Witekio engineers can help you to build the application that will run on top of your Linux system. With teams of software developers that retain expertise in building marketing leading consumer and industrial applications, developing your application within Witekio in parallel to your BSP can also accelerate your go to market.
Our teams can also work with your internal experts on maintenance programs so that the device that you market is always up to date, running smoothly, and meeting end user expectations for quality and reliability. Regular updates, all the files fully documented and effectively communicated, add value to your brand and build a reputation for quality.
Finally, with connected devices a regular target for bad actors, security is an area where you can take advantage of our expertise in Yocto project development. Whether specially formulated security workshops to upskill your teams, automated security scanning, red team pentests, or OTA patches to your deployed devices and following versions, our teams have the skills and experience to help you keep your devices and your data safe.
The main benefits of Yocto for x86
Safer
Deploying a Linux system using the Yocto project on a target architecture x86 with 32 Bit makes for a safer device relative to using a standard desktop Linux distribution and packages you need, like Ubuntu, or an alternative such as a x Window system. Witekio’s experience with customizing Linux for embedded software and connected devices means you will not have to worry about operating system components leaking your data or opening up surfaces for bad actors to exploit. Your teams will have confidence to market your products, knowing that the custom BSP Witekio engineers have built will power your device to meet all expectations without opening it up to external manipulation.
Secure
A Yocto layer designed specifically for your device and use case locks down any hardware and network connections that are not required for your device. For example, while your hardware might have included internet connection and network connections via BLE and Wi-Fi, if you are not using these then a custom Yocto x86 BSP will ensure that these connections are not switched on. Protecting your device and the data that you process is essential to maintaining a secure product and maintaining your reputation and brand in a competitive market.
Specific
Your device needs to do what it is designed to do and nothing more. A desktop operating system like the Linux distribution Ubuntu or Windows might offer everything you need, but it also offers a lot that you don’t. This, in turn, creates headaches for you and your team who have to consider attack surfaces and vectors that have nothing to do with your core product. Specific Linux distributions that lock down your device save for what is actually needed to work makes for a faster, more secure, and more reliable host system.
Witekio can support your Yocto development for your x86 project
Our teams have deep experience in embedded Linux development and working with Yocto project in a variety of industries and on x86 machines of all types. Witekio is a Gold Member of the Yocto open source collaboration project alongside world-leading firms Automotive Grade Linux, Huawei, Renesas, Siemens, and Texas Instruments. Our commitment to open-source software and experience delivering cutting-edge solutions for clients with embedded, IoT and IIoT devices is proof positive that we can be trusted with supporting your Yocto x86 product strategy. Contact Witekio today to discuss how we can accelerate your go-to market and add value to your business.
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