Embedded Linux Systems with the Yocto Project

6. Linux System Architecture

In This Chapter

6.1 Linux or GNU/Linux?

6.2 Anatomy of a Linux System

6.3 Bootloader

6.4 Kernel

6.5 User Space

6.6 Summary

6.7 References

In the previous chapters, we introduced the core concepts and components of the Yocto Project and the OpenEmbedded build system. Before we explore in detail how we can build our own custom Linux distributions with the Yocto Project, it is time to take a step back and look at what makes up a Linux system.

Understanding the architecture of a Linux system provides the context for the methods employed by OpenEmbedded Core (OE Core) to create the various system components, such as root filesystem images, kernel images, and bootloaders.

We start with a look at the anatomy of a Linux ...