Linux and the DiskOnChip
Running Linux on a DiskOnChip has some pitfalls. M-Systems does
distribute binary DiskOnChip patches for the 2.0.x and 2.2.x Linux
kernels. I found M-Systems' documentation to be very thorough and their
technical support responsive; however, this does not change the fact
that these drivers are binary. If you use binary drivers remember two
things:
- If you distribute statically-linked binary drivers in a system, you
are violating the GPL.
- Binary drivers will eventually break as they are compiled against new
kernels.
With this in mind, there is the Memory Technology Device (MTD)
initiative, an open-source group working to provide an
interface between memory devices and the Linux system. David Woodhouse
has written, with specifications given by M-Systems, a device driver for
the DoC2000. I have installed the MTD drivers, and they appear to work
well; however, I have not used them long enough to report accurately on
their performance. If you are designing an embedded Linux system, I
would recommend you save yourself some problems down the road and use
the GPL drivers.