KernelKit is a derivative of Knoppix GNU/Linux designed for the development of Linux kernel and drivers. It helps in creating custom configurations for better results.
If you're looking for a powerful and efficient tool for Linux kernel and driver development, as well as Free Software embedded systems, look no further than KernelKit. This Knoppix GNU/Linux derivative is specifically designed for these applications, and it's currently one of the preferred tools being used in Embedded Linux Training sessions.
One of the key differences between KernelKit and standard Knoppix GNU/Linux is that KernelKit is streamlined specifically for kernel and driver programming, and has removed applications not related to these development areas (such as games and office applications). What's more, KernelKit comes loaded with a wide range of tools and libraries for kernel and software development, including cross-compiling toolchains for a variety of different architectures.
In terms of its usefulness, KernelKit is an excellent tool for Embedded Linux training, as it provides all of the necessary tools in a tested configuration that requires no installation of a GNU/Linux OS or checks on installed package versions and prerequisites. It's also helpful for demonstrating useful tools in this technical area, as well as for speeding up kernel, driver, and embedded application development, even for support people who may be away from their desktop or who are not allowed to install software themselves.
KernelKit is loaded with helpful features that make it an essential tool for both novice and seasoned Linux developers. The included cross-compiling toolchains are incredibly useful for a wide range of architectures, including arm, i386, ppc, m68k, mips, and mipsel.
Developers will appreciate the inclusion of ccache, a C/C++ compiler cache that saves time when compiling the kernel repeatedly; doxygen, a documentation system; and SCons, a software construction tool that provides a strong alternative to autoconf / automake / make. Additionally, there's Splint, a static C code checker that ensures high-quality, bug-free code.
In terms of kernel development, KernelKit has all of the tools you'll need, including git, the new kernel source management system, and cogito, a git front-end. The package also includes QEMU, a CPU and system emulator for several platforms, which is great for experimenting with i386 or ppc embedded systems. Another popular emulator included in KernelKit is SkyEye, a tool that's designed specifically for several popular ARM boards.
KernelKit also comes with a variety of performance analysis tools, including Linux Trace Toolkit (LTT), which provides user space tools for analyzing system performance. Note that at present, you can only analyze results thus far, as the current KernelKit kernel does not yet have support for LTT. You'll also get Valgrind, a memory debugger, and performance analysis tool for x86 Linux.
For lightweight applications for embedded systems, KernelKit offers Dillo, a speedy and lightweight web browser, as well as e3, an editor that supports several interface types (vi, emacs...). There's also fish, the Friendly Interactive SHell, which makes it much easier to use the Unix command line, making it an ideal starting point for beginners.
Other helpful features included in KernelKit include gkermit, a serial communication utility; Psyco, a kind of Just In Time compiler for Python that's useful for running the BitBake / OpenEmbedded tool faster; and xvncviewer, a VNC client that's handy for displaying target graphics on the host system.
Overall, the latest release of KernelKit adds the texinfo 4.8.dfsg.1-4
One of the key differences between KernelKit and standard Knoppix GNU/Linux is that KernelKit is streamlined specifically for kernel and driver programming, and has removed applications not related to these development areas (such as games and office applications). What's more, KernelKit comes loaded with a wide range of tools and libraries for kernel and software development, including cross-compiling toolchains for a variety of different architectures.
In terms of its usefulness, KernelKit is an excellent tool for Embedded Linux training, as it provides all of the necessary tools in a tested configuration that requires no installation of a GNU/Linux OS or checks on installed package versions and prerequisites. It's also helpful for demonstrating useful tools in this technical area, as well as for speeding up kernel, driver, and embedded application development, even for support people who may be away from their desktop or who are not allowed to install software themselves.
KernelKit is loaded with helpful features that make it an essential tool for both novice and seasoned Linux developers. The included cross-compiling toolchains are incredibly useful for a wide range of architectures, including arm, i386, ppc, m68k, mips, and mipsel.
Developers will appreciate the inclusion of ccache, a C/C++ compiler cache that saves time when compiling the kernel repeatedly; doxygen, a documentation system; and SCons, a software construction tool that provides a strong alternative to autoconf / automake / make. Additionally, there's Splint, a static C code checker that ensures high-quality, bug-free code.
In terms of kernel development, KernelKit has all of the tools you'll need, including git, the new kernel source management system, and cogito, a git front-end. The package also includes QEMU, a CPU and system emulator for several platforms, which is great for experimenting with i386 or ppc embedded systems. Another popular emulator included in KernelKit is SkyEye, a tool that's designed specifically for several popular ARM boards.
KernelKit also comes with a variety of performance analysis tools, including Linux Trace Toolkit (LTT), which provides user space tools for analyzing system performance. Note that at present, you can only analyze results thus far, as the current KernelKit kernel does not yet have support for LTT. You'll also get Valgrind, a memory debugger, and performance analysis tool for x86 Linux.
For lightweight applications for embedded systems, KernelKit offers Dillo, a speedy and lightweight web browser, as well as e3, an editor that supports several interface types (vi, emacs...). There's also fish, the Friendly Interactive SHell, which makes it much easier to use the Unix command line, making it an ideal starting point for beginners.
Other helpful features included in KernelKit include gkermit, a serial communication utility; Psyco, a kind of Just In Time compiler for Python that's useful for running the BitBake / OpenEmbedded tool faster; and xvncviewer, a VNC client that's handy for displaying target graphics on the host system.
Overall, the latest release of KernelKit adds the texinfo 4.8.dfsg.1-4
What's New
Version 0.6.1: N/A