What is the easiest x86 Embedded Linux? [closed]

Question

I want to play around with some embedded linux. I want it to be able to run on an x86 processor (for start, it will be running on my regular PC). I have looked online, but the ones I have found seem hard to setup or lack proper documentation. So what are some good embedded x86 compatible linux distros that are easy to setup or have good documentation on how to get things setup?

Answer 1

Since the definition of "embedded" vary depending on who you talk to, what is considered an embedded Linux distribution will also vary.

As other have said, you can go with distribution building tool kit, like :

• T2 SDE
• OpenEmbedded
• LinuxFromScratch
• Buildroot

You can also use any "standard" Linux distribution, which can often be customized for an embedded environment. They have the advantage of being heavily tested in their normal environment. So you can choose any of :

• Fedora (with Revisor, Instalinux)
• OpenSuse (with SuseStudio, Instalinux)
• Debian (with Reconstructor, Instalinux)
• Ubuntu (with Reconstructor, Instalinux)
• Gentoo
• Slackware (with NimbleX)
• CentOS (with Instalinux)
• gNewSense (with Builder)

Finally, you can also build your own completely, from source. In that case, BusyBox will probably be helpful since it provide a lot of functionalities and common application. To help you with that, there is the nice 3 parts series : Building Tiny Linux Systems with Busybox (part 1, part 2, and part 3)

Answer 2

You may want to take a look at the OpenEmbedded project. It is a meta-distribution, meaning it's more of a distribution construction kit rather than ready distribution. But using it may take effort on your part. The same applies to all embedded solutions, though.