Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The 1-Second Linux Boot

Posted by timothy on from the unexamined-boot-is-not-worth-booting dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Less than one second Linux boot! This video shows an OMAP3530 capturing video data from a camera and rendering it to an LCD display — the video appears on the LCD display in less than a second from reset."

9 of 156 comments (clear)

  1. 1-Second First Post! by Fieryphoenix · · Score: 5, Funny

    Guess Linux is faster than Slashdot.

  2. Re:Link is dead already by Beelzebud · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't worry, it will be back in a second.

  3. Pretty long video though by suso · · Score: 5, Funny

    For a 1 second boot, it takes a 2.5 minute video to demonstrate it.

  4. The Register also has the story. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Complete with a video:

    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/14/montavista_boasts_1sec_linux_boot/

  5. Misleading summary by cualexander · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is a linux computer in a car that has very specific hardware and limited functionality. Wake me up when you can get a true desktop machine to boot in 1 second and then we can talk. This is like saying, "My toaster runs linux and it can boot instantly!" Big freaking deal.

    1. Re:Misleading summary by caseih · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Actually it is a pretty big deal. In most embedded systems that need to be instant on, a manufacturer would likely use highly customized code with highly customized hardware. The big deal here is that a (relatively) full linux kernel and system boots in the same time as all that custom code giving a manufacturer a solid, generic, and cheap base to work from. In other words, rather than having to rely on highly customized, specific firmware for the device, a more generic linux-based system platform can be used. This makes everything cheaper and thus must more profitable. This is proof that Linux is flexible and agile enough to be used from the smallest devices all the way up the line. Same kernel-level APIs everywhere. Same tools. A tremendous advantage for embedded device makers rushing to get to market.

  6. Ok... I'll take it by Foredecker · · Score: 5, Informative

    Ok, so that is interesting, but only just... This isnt desktop Linux so Im not sure why you are saying "eat that".

    The OS is DMAed directly into system memory. Ok, thats kind of spiffy. That means its been "pre-loaded" which is already located.

    Let me put this in perspective. Back in the mid 90s I worked at AMD. On the ÉlanSC520 system on a chip (133mhz 486 class):

    • Booting of Windows CE, QNX, Psos, VXworks and other real time operating systems to a running state (like these guys) was measured in 100s of milliseconds.
    • Even better, the SC520 supported Execute in Place (XIP) - FLASH was directly conntected and had a controlerl off the CPUs cache - it was fast. This let the OS and applicatoins run right out of flash from reset - no "booting" at all. Systems could easily initialize in 10s of MS and be fully running - with graphics in a few 100ms. This included a running network stack. Pretty spiffy for the old school.
    • There was a company that was doing this with an early version of Linux back then too. Their company name started with an R - but I cannot remember the rest. I think someone bought them. This was fast too.

    So, this really isnt that spectacular - cool yes, ground breaking no.

    -Foredecker

    --
    Jibe!
  7. Perverting the context much, Timothy? by macraig · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Where's the very relevant word embedded in the Slashdot title? Even TFA's author was honest enough to include it in the original title.

  8. Re:Link is dead already by Yvan256 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Way to spoil the ending of the new Zelda game.