System DesignSystem Design
Boot Confirmation: Who Decides an Update Worked?
A bootloader boot counter catches dead boots; only a userspace check sees a dead application. How to design boot confirmation for a…
RB Sep 19 · 8 min
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System Design
Architecture and trade-off decisions behind embedded Linux products — how and why to choose one design over another.
System Design
System DesignSystem Design
Containers vs Packages: Delivering Apps on an Embedded Device
Containers vs packages on embedded Linux: how to deliver and update the application layer on a device that already has an A/B…
RB Sep 16 · 8 min
System DesignSystem Design
Secure Boot Key Custody: Who Holds the Signing Key?
Secure boot key custody decides where your firmware signing key lives. Compare build-tree keys, restricted servers, HSM signing and detached signing.
RB Sep 10 · 8 min
System DesignSystem Design
The Hidden Cost of Out-of-Tree Drivers and Private Kernel Patches
Private kernel patches and out-of-tree drivers are recurring maintenance costs, not one-time work. How to classify, measure and bound your downstream delta.
RB Sep 3 · 18 min
System DesignSystem Design
systemd vs BusyBox init: Which Init System Fits Your Device?
systemd vs BusyBox init for embedded Linux: what each one costs in size, dependencies and kernel version, and how to choose.
RB Aug 26 · 17 min
System DesignSystem Design
In-Tree vs Out-of-Tree Driver: Where Your Code Should Live
In-tree vs out-of-tree driver: why upstreaming hardware you own usually costs less over a product life, and when an external module is…
RB Aug 22 · 8 min
System DesignSystem Design
Choosing a Root Filesystem Format for Embedded Linux
How to choose a root filesystem format for embedded Linux: ext4, f2fs, squashfs with overlayfs, or UBIFS on raw NAND — and…
RB Aug 12 · 8 min
System DesignSystem Design
Choosing an A/B Update Layout for Your Product
Symmetric, asymmetric, split, or rescue-augmented: pick the A/B update layout that matches your storage, boot time, and release cadence.
RB Aug 8 · 9 min
System DesignSystem Design
Yocto vs Buildroot: Choosing a Build System for Your Product
Yocto vs Buildroot for embedded Linux products: how the two build systems differ, when each wins, and what your choice costs you…
RB Aug 5 · 8 min
System DesignSystem Design
Architecting Mainline-Friendly Products
How to architect mainline-friendly products: connector design with DT overlays, a vendor checklist for tech leads, and the steps to upstream board…
RB Aug 2 · 11 min
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