We are living in a computerized age, and as such many devices out there, even those that we might not think of, include a small computer within them. In case a small computer is a real computer and not just an electronic circuit that enables electronic functions, then we can say it has an embedded computer inside.

The advantage that Linux has, as an operating system that is becoming more and more common, is that it is a basic computer operating system, that has a Kernel (Basic common features that let it act as a computer) and expansions. The core of a Linux operating system is very small and doesn’t require much of the computer resources. That is why Linux is one of the common operating systems used for embedded functions.

Basically, the idea is that we include a computer (a real one) in a miniature way (mostly within some hardware chip) that can function as a full computer as we know it, only with the limit capabilities and functions that we need exactly for the device we choose to embed.

Another major reason for using Linux as the core of such embedded solutions is that Linux is FREE, it is an open-source operating system, so anyone can use as he chooses. We can make changes to the kernel, re-compile and create a new Linux kernel of our own, and use it for our own purpose (of course that last sentence is for those who know how to make changes to the Linux kernel) otherwise you might damage the OS for good.

So let’s go over some examples of devices that use Embedded Linux, so we could better understand how it is being used (There are limitless solutions and many possibilities):

1. Yoggie Gatekeeper – Windows firewall squeezed into a USB key – That is a full firewall appliance within a tiny USB key, you plug it in, and you are
   protected against all harm, while you connect to any wireless with your laptop, no matter what type of security measures that Wireless router has at that coffee shop.
   
2. Archos – A portable media player and portable media devices. These devices include embedded Linux OS.
3. Openmoko Linux – A Linux operating system for mobile phones. You can see that the Linux original kernel was just changed for mobile phone purposes.

Articles & Searches

• Embedded Linux Wiki – Website with embedded Linux information.
• Embedded Linux from Scratch – This is a technical article by Michael Opdenacker which explains how to build a tiny embedded system entirely from scratch, in 40 minutes.
• books on Embedded Linux – This is a search I made for embedded Linux books in case you might consider buying/Reading and learn about it.

E-Books

• Embedded Linux – This is another online E-book – where Embedded Linux is explained and thought.
• Building Embedded Linux Systems – Online E-book – full 419 Pages.

Debian, is a package of software tools combined together under the open-licensed GNU (General Public Library) and some other free software, of the Linux operating systems which means it uses the Linux kernel. This operating system is the most popular and one of its best OS versions is the UBUNTU operating system.

Since you want to get with your operating system some basic tools, and of course some extra efficient tools, instead of finding each program that you find that you need, the Debian package has been created to contain the basic tools that are needed for and operating system.

The Debian package is being used both for Server and for Desktop operating systems, again the Debian package is the core of those operating system which are built upon the Debian package, like UBUNTU Linux distribution system.

So with all of those Linux distributions out there, why choose Debian? well, it is quite simple:

• A non-commercial totally free distribution.
• A true GNU/Linux distribution based on the Unix command style. This assures that the core that you are using will not be changed as time passes since it is the core of things.
• Easy to maintain – so you can easily get it updated and up to date, there is a mechanism that knows how to identify missing packages and update on required dependencies.
• Automatic updating – You can use automatic updates using a single command, which will collect the needed required updates from the internet, and install them automatically.
• The Debian distribution only uses real free software and it contains already around 25,000 applications and utilities.
• Help is accessible through forums, chat rooms of the community. You can get answers to almost any question you might have and there are developers who improve it daily.
• Performance is excellent and of course cheap since it uses any type of hardware, and does not require hardware upgrades or requires stronger equipment.
• Reliability and stability are the core focus of Debian, and you do not need to reboot it contantly.

— You can read more about the Debian packages at http://www.debian.org/ and get http://www.debian.org/, even though I would recommend working with Ubuntu than on Debian directly.

The reasons why Debian can be the perfect server are because it contains many common software tools, for almost any purpose that servers are being used for like those basic ones:

• • Web server – Apache, PHP, Python, Mysql
  • Mail server – Postfix.
  • DNS server – Bind9
  • FTP server – Proftpd

• File Server – Samba

Sometimes help is needed from an expert source outside of your home/company. That kind of help sometimes requires urgent assistance. What can we do to solve such issue, we can use an expert that uses remote tools, to access our computer, take control (with our approval) and see what we see, and perform actions on our computer that can solve our problem. Such remote tools can assist in solving software issues, and maybe recognize hardware issues, but if the hardware is damaged the client will need to replace it physically.

There are many tools out there to perform such tasks, some of them are free and some of them are better than others. I will specify some options and you can choose for yourself, which are suiting you best.

Free Remote Tools:

TEAMVIEWER – (You don’t need to know the client’s IP address) The TEAMVIEWER is the simplest application you can use for free. The program needs to be installed on both sides, on the provider of the support (the expert) that takes control and on the client that receives the support. The application is pretty simple when you run it; you get a screed that gives you an ID and a PASSWORD (usually 4 digits) and on the other side of the application window there is a place to enter the ID (of the computer you want to take control of), you need to get the ID from the client, and his PASSWORD and you just type his ID, connect and when you get the Password request, you just type his password in, and there it is just taking control of his computer, see his operating system desktop and his problem.

ULTRAVNC – (You need to know the client’s IP address) – The UltraVNC (VNC – Virtual Network Computing) is another free remote control application that you can use, the installation instructions are pretty simple, mostly pressing the “next” button until the program is installed. The UltraVNC is working with two sides, the server-side (the client receiving the support), and the client-side (which is the one giving the support – our specialist technician). The one that wants the support needs to install the server-side of the application, and then the remote helper can use his client application to connect to the server. The downfall of this option for a home user, is that this tool uses an IP, you have to know the address of the client you want to give support to, and most home users do not have a constant (permanent IP) from their ISP’s, so this solution will not fit a home user.

LogMeIn – (Using a web service) – The LogMeIn remote controlling program works through the web. You install on the receiving help computer a small listening client which will enable LogMeIn to connect to it. You create an account with LogMeIn (on their website), after registering, and confirming the e-mail we receive, we can log in to the account, and the computers we will set up will be on a list, that we can click, and log-in to those computers whether they are a home or work computer. We will get a user/password log-in screen – that’s the log-in credentials of the windows client you are trying to log-in to, you then click “remote control” and you will be able to see your windows desktop.

Crossloop – (You don’t need to know the clients IP address) – The CrossLoop remote controlling program works like the team-viewer, you have a session window that opens, and includes two tabs – the HOST (the one who needs the assistance), and the JOIN to give the help. You just send the Access-Code number to the one who you want help from. Both sides need to click connect, then you have about a 2 minutes period, to enable the connection (that’s for security reasons, so you won’t open your computer indefinitely then you need to approve the connection whether you share control or give full control to the helper, and you’re all done.

Who doesn’t need something from a computer? Who wouldn’t mind to be able to install almost anything without paying for it? Where can we find such an option, what do we need to do? Well there is an answer to these questions and it is within the Linux operating system. Linux is a term that describes to a Unix-Like computer operating system, which is based on a Linux kernel. The base of this operating system is to enable free and open source (system codes opened to the public) software and works under the GPL (General Public License). The Linux operating system can be installed on a wide range of computer hardware.

Thus, it is a recommended option for a free operating system that anyone can use, and of course since it is free of charge, it is cheap. The Linux OS has many applications from almost any type you might need, from monitoring systems, FTP server, WEB servers, E-mail servers, all sorts of GUI applications, which can run on Linux client systems. You can choose from either a Linux server system (which usually comes without a GUI) or a Linux client system, which also has a GUI that resembles the Windows operating system interface.

The basic of Linux is pretty simple, and it just lets you install almost any kind of service you might need. Linux operating system usually doesn’t need much, a very old computer might suffice and so in total you have a very cheap computer as a base, a free of charge operating system, with free of charge applications, So what can I say ? This is the cheapest option you can get for your computer needs.

I always say that I prefer the UBUNTU Linux operating system, it has a major command called “apt-get” which does all of your needs automatically, which means that you can use this command to install the programs you need. It has a repository of known programs, which it knows to discover if you have it installed or not and in case you haven’t installed them, it offers you to download them from the web, and install them automatically. This tool is a major feature that makes the installations really easy.

The problematic issue, is that you need to have some programming, technical computer sense, since after you install the program, most of them require a set of configuration changes, directly made into their configuration files (*.conf). That issue requires some inquiries being done on the web (internet), to learn how to configure the tool/program your installing to fit your requirement and your environment. But, even though I specified that last problematic issue, it is doable, and there is much information on every tool/program on the internet, including others that have installed and configured their programs and of course forums, where people asked questions to their problems while installing, which might resemble the problems you encounter.

Summarizing, The Linux operating system, combined with a regular simple computer (either PC or Laptop) are the cheapest option out there. Those computers with the Linux applications will be able to perform the process you need, with ease, and without much effort. All you need to do is to practice, play around with some simple installation, try to configure them, to use the internet for assistance, and you will discover that it is not as tough as you thought, it require some basic Linux knowledge, but it is something that can be done and in the long term, you will be able to enjoy the open source life, and even save some money.