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This page outlines the Plug Computing workshop held at [http://fsoss.ca/2010 FSOSS 2010] - Thursday, October 28, 2010, room T2108.
= ARM Chips, Plug Computers, and Fedora, Oh My! ==
== The ARM Processor ==
ARM CPUs were originally created as 32-bit desktop RISC processors. They have become highly valued as low-power-consumption processors, and are widely used in cellphones, tablets, and embedded systems; over 5 billion ARM devices are now manufactured anually.
ARM Ltd. does not actually produce any physical chips -- they license the designs to various chipmakers, who then incorporate them into their products, often integrating other peripherals in the process -- peripherals such as camera controllers, network interfaces, or cellphone logic. ARM licensees include Marvell, Texas Instruments, Samsung, Freescale, and many others.
== Plug Computing ==
The PlugComputing concept was created by Marvell to promote the use of ARM processors in non-mobile environments -- as a power-saving server option. Each PlugComputer contains a Marvell system-on-a-chip (SOC) and flash-based storage.
The model of PlugComputer we're using today is the GuruPlug Server Plus, made by GlobalScale Technologies, Inc. This unit features 512MB of RAM, 512MB of built-in NAND flash, support for microSD/microSDHC cards, dual gigabit ethernet interfaces, eSATA, two USB ports, 802.11bg wireless, and bluetooth. The total power consumption of the GuruPlug is typically under 5W - about the power of a small nightlight.
== Fedora ==
The Fedora Project is a community sponsored by Red Hat which produces a Linux distribution. The Fedora distribution is typically used on 32- and 64-bit Intel/AMD-compatible processors, which are known as the "Primary Architectures". However, there are a number of special interest groups within Fedora which compile the distribution for use on other processors, including SPARC, MIPS, IBM mainframe (Z9), and ARM systems.
Fedora software is maintained as a large collection of separate packages -- over 15,000 at the present time. These packages can be combined in various combinations to meet different needs (desktop, server, mobile).
Fedora utilizes a client-server based build system which permits any package
= Setting up the GuruPlug =
