https://www.iotworldtoday.com/wp-content/themes/ioti_child/assets/images/logo/mobile-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
    • Back
    • Roundups
  • Strategy
  • Special Reports
  • Business Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Industry Perspectives
    • Featured Vendors
  • Other Content
    • Back
    • Q&As
    • Case Studies
    • Features
    • How-to
    • Opinion
    • Podcasts
    • Strategic Partners
    • Latest videos
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Submissions
  • Events
    • Back
    • Embedded IoT World (Part of DesignCon) 2022
Iot World Today
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
    • Back
    • Roundups
  • Strategy
  • Special Reports
  • Business Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Industry Perspectives
    • Featured Vendors
  • Other Content
    • Back
    • Q&As
    • Case Studies
    • Features
    • How-to
    • Opinion
    • Podcasts
    • Strategic Partners
    • Latest videos
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Submissions
  • Events
    • Back
    • Embedded IoT World (Part of DesignCon) 2022
  • newsletter
  • IIoT
  • Cities
  • Energy
  • Homes/Buildings
  • Transportation/Logistics
  • Connected Health Care
  • Retail
  • AI
  • Metaverse
  • Development
  • Security
ioti.com

Embedded Computing


Getty Images

Blue glowing hardware with particles, computer generated abstract background

Linux Distributions: Considerations for IoT Projects

The choice of Linux distributions can spell doom or be a boon for an IoT initiative. Here’s a quick guide to making the right choice.
  • Written by Crystal Bedell
  • 18th June 2019

Linux is the operating system of choice for Internet of Things devices. But when it comes to choosing Linux distributions, developers don’t have much say in the matter. Even worse, the version of Linux they launch their IoT solution with is likely to be the same version that will run in production for months, possibly years down the road.

“The hardware manufacturers pay some attention to what’s popular, and that tends to be Ubuntu,” said Christopher Biggs, founder and director, Accelerando Consulting in Australia. “In general, the offerings from hardware manufacturers are not great in that they are probably offering a distribution that’s a couple years old and they might have a kernel that’s out of date. If it develops a flaw, you may never get an update.”

This differs from what developers are accustomed to. “The PC you bought three or four years ago will run the new version of Windows. In the IoT space, that’s not necessarily the case at all, and it might be that if you used a chip built three or four years ago, then you’re stuck with a version of Linux that’s also three- or four-years-old,” said Christian Daudt, senior member technical staff engineer at Cypress Semiconductor Corp.

The problem is that hardware vendors aren’t providing updateable devices. “The low margins and highly competitive environment make this an unacceptable cost for most,” said Biggs.

The cost for companies building an IoT solution with these outdated chips is another thing altogether. “The biggest risk of a device that is not receiving updates is that an exploitable vulnerability is found,” explained Biggs. If there isn’t a vendor fix, “there is no defense for owners of affected devices, short of cutting them off from the internet.”

Another potential problem: “The kernel can be so old, it doesn’t work with the current version of Docker,” said Biggs.

Linux distributions — or the vendor’s release cycle — aren’t typically considerations when developers choose the hardware for an IoT solution. Instead, the hardware choice is driven by factors like the specific use case and amount of memory required to support it. “Hardware can force you into a distribution because the hardware vendors provide the distribution,” explained Andrey Katsman, vice president of engineering at Canary.

What then? “The simple way, the path of least resistance is to stick with [the operating system] the hardware vendor gives you, but you can be stuck with bugs and restrictions. It’s a trade-off calculation between will you spend the time upgrading it yourself or will you pick a different piece of hardware that’s more up to date?” said Daudt.

There is a cost to consider if the organization decides to upgrade the OS itself.

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
Tags: Developers Embedded Computing Features

Related


  • Image shows a big data and artificial intelligence concept.
    AI Data Processing at the Edge Reduces Costs, Data Latency
    As the number of edge devices increases exponentially, sending high volumes of data to the cloud could swiftly overwhelm budgets and broadband capabilities. Deep learning, a subset of machine learning, reduces cost and connectivity burdens.
  • Image shows city and technology computer graphics.
    AI, Edge Computing Architecture Drive Embedded IoT Development
    AI support in the cloud and at the edge have furthered embedded IoT development. A platform approach has emerged to span various developer skill sets.
  • Image shows a 3D illustration of network wires and nodes.
    Diversity in Silicon Powers AI Innovation at the Edge
    AI processing at the edge has spurred innovation among silicon vendors to enable these capabilities, with no vendor likely to dominate the market.
  • Image shows a smart speaker.
    Voice-Activated Technology Redefines the Internet of Things
    Voice-activated devices have helped fuel IoT adoption. The long-term ramifications for application development could be considerable.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your IoT World Today account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Content

  • Edge Computing Frameworks Abound—with None Yet Dominant
  • IoT Salary Survey Report
  • IoT Developers May Need Time Series Data Analysis Skills
  • IoT Platforms Evolving With More Analytics, Focus on Use Cases

Roundups

View all

IoT Product Roundup: PTC, Nokia, Arm and More

19th May 2022

IoT Deals, Partnerships Roundup: Intel, Nauto, Helium and more

14th May 2022

IoT Product Roundup: Amazon, Synaptics, Urban Control and More

27th April 2022

White Papers

View all

The Role of Manufacturing Technology in Continuous Improvement Ebook

6th April 2022

IIoT Platform Trends for Manufacturing in 2022

6th April 2022

Latest Videos

View all
Dylan Kennedy of EMQ

Embedded IoT World 2022: Dylan Kennedy of EMQ

Dylan Kennedy, EMQ’s VP of global operations, sat down with Chuck Martin at Embedded IoT World 2022.

Embedded IoT World 2022: Omdia’s Sang Oh Talks Vehicle Chip Shortage

Omdia’s automotive semiconductor analyst sits down with Chuck Martin at this year’s event

E-books

View all

How Remote Access Helps Enterprises Improve IT Service and Employee Satisfaction

12th January 2022

An Integrated Approach to IoT Security

6th November 2020

Webinars

View all

Rethinking the Database in the IoT Era

18th May 2022

Jumpstarting Industrial IoT solutions with an edge data management platform

12th May 2022

AI led Digital Transformation of Manufacturing: Time is NOW

9th December 2021

Special Reports

View all

Omdia’s Smart Home Market Dynamics Report

7th January 2022

Cybersecurity Protection Increasingly Depends on Machine Learning

28th October 2020

IoT Security Best Practices for Industry and Enterprise

20th October 2020

Twitter

IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Explore Emerging Tech For Enterprises at @TechXLR8 2022 this June ➡️ Join us from 1-3 June in harnessing the pow… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

24th May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Clearview AI has been fined $9.4 million for collecting images of people from social media platforms to add to its… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

24th May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Swiss-startup Airyacht is developing an eponymously named vehicle that it says will take the luxury-yacht experienc… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

@Tesla’s #Autopilot being investigated once again following fatal crash in Newport Beach, California. iotworldtoday.com/2022/05/23/tes…

23rd May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

A new Kansas law will enable #driverless deliveries from @Walmart and its partner @Gatik_AI. #AVs… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Access a world of opportunity in 2022 with @IoTWorldToday ➡️ Now is time to unlock ROI, by accessing a global com… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

3D Home Printer to Build 72 Residences for National Homebuilder dlvr.it/SQhWSF https://t.co/XJOs70DqzH

19th May 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Microsoft Ramping up Cybersecurity Service Offerings dlvr.it/SQhPR0 https://t.co/nYzaDRnyVY

19th May 2022

Newsletter

Sign up for IoT World Today newsletters: vertical industry coverage on Tuesdays and horizontal tech coverage on Thursdays.

Special Reports

Our Special Reports take an in-depth look at key topics within the IoT space. Download our latest reports.

Business Resources

Find the latest white papers and other resources from selected vendors.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IoT World Series
  • Channel Futures
  • RISC-V
  • Dark Reading
  • ITPro Today
  • Web Hosting Talk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Login/Register

FOLLOW IoT World Today ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X