OpenEmbedded in the Real World

Over the last few years, OpenEmbedded has become the most widely known build system for Linux-based embedded systems via the efforts of the Yocto Project. Many presentations have been given on starting an embedded Linux project with OpenEmbedded, but most do not cover the practicalities of implementing OpenEmbedded in a production build system and the follow-on issues associated with shipping and maintaining an OpenEmbedded based product. This presentation leverages the author’s experience in building OpenEmbedded-based distributions for both small and large customers to discuss some of the common pitfalls encountered and pragmatic workarounds for them.