General Theory
Host
Computer used for compiling and linking target programs
Target
Daemon
Computer that is the source for programs compiled and linked on a Host.
Small program that is always running in the background, usually waiting for activity. For
example, a network daemon is waiting for activity on the network.
TFTP
ssh
Trivial file transfer protocol, a method of sending files across the ethernet interface.
Secure shell Linux command for connecting to other Linux systems using an encrypted transfer
mechanism.
3 General Theory
General theory behind NFS on a native PowerPC™ system.
3.1 Tools
It is not necessary to have a host and target system that are the same architecture. Using cross-tools, any architecture
can be used to develop PowerPC tools. The disadvantages to such an arrangement are never serious, but in general,
inconvenient.
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Programs compiled natively on the host can not run on the target
Programs cross compiled on the host can not run on the host.
Cross tools are usually more difficult to obtain and use.
Cross compiled programs may need to be downloaded to the target for testing, a sometimes arduous task.
However, if an NFS mount is active, then the programs can just be placed on the hard drive.
A host that is a native PowerPC system, on the other hand, uses the same architecture as the target. Thus a native
tool set can be used. These are the disadvantages.
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none
This leads to a whole host (pardon the pun) of advantages.
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Programs compiled natively on the host can run on the target.
Programs need never be cross compiled.
Native tools are easy to obtain and are usually supplied as part of the system package, for example GCC on
any Linux system.
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Programs can be tested on the host system before the need to download them for final testing.
The host and target both have the same touch and feel, i.e. both are the same architecture, and both can run
the same Linux OS.
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The number of times downloading to the target is reduced.
3.2 Network File System (NFS)
There are four methods for supplying a root file system for a Linux target. (And possibly more)
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Local hard drive
— Subject to corruption by a renegade kernel
— Difficult to build or recover
— Requires an IDE or SCSI driver
Genesi Pegasos II Kernel and NFS Facility, Rev. 0
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Freescale Semiconductor