Computer/Embedded Technology


OS comparison: QNX vs Linux

10 October 2001 Computer/Embedded Technology

The QNX realtime platform is highly compatible with Linux, and uses many of the same industry-standard APIs and tools. In fact, any Linux developer can become productive almost immediately on QNX. So why should developers and OEMs choose QNX over Linux when creating embedded products? This article outlines several reasons.

QNX better understands the needs of embedded OEMs

QNX Software Systems has been serving the embedded market for over 20 years. Since most commercial Linux vendors are basically retail operations; they do not have the deep experience needed to address the fundamental, and often complex, requirements of embedded OEMs. QNX Software knows the needs of OEMs intimately, and has a proven track of helping them build everything from Internet appliances to life-critical medical instruments.

QNX's smaller size can save OEMs millions

Thanks to unique technologies like the Photon microGUI, QNX uses a small fraction of the memory required by Linux. That's key, since even a $2 reduction in memory costs per unit can save millions of dollars in a high-volume embedded device, such as an Internet appliance or an in-car computing system.

OEMs can keep their IP

By mixing their code with the GPL and LGPL code that comes with Linux, embedded OEMs risk losing or compromising their hard-earned intellectual property (IP). In fact, many OEMs refuse to use Linux for that reason. In comparison, OEMs can freely use QNX source code and applications, while maintaining the rights to their IP.

Embedded OEMs have a faster head-start with QNX

While Linux OS code is freely distributed, it is rarely usable for specific projects in its existing state. Engineering expertise is required to take the raw Linux source and turn it into a core of a useful embedded product. QNX, on the other hand, provides OEMs with a large suite of applications and OS components that are thoroughly tested and highly optimised for embedded use. No re-engineering required. This gives developers a head-start: instead of losing time on low-level kernel issues (and spending money on OS maintenance teams), OEMs using QNX can focus right away on creating unique features and applications for their embedded device.

Easier to customise and extend

In Linux, all system-level software - drivers, protocol stacks, and so on - runs in the same address space as the OS kernel. As a result, developing these components requires kernel tools (hard to use), kernel rebuilds (time-consuming), and kernel programmers (expensive). With QNX, however, all these system-level components run as optional, memory-protected processes outside the kernel. As a result, developing drivers and OS extensions do not require specialised debuggers or specialised developers. The OS is inherently more open to customisation.

QNX can target a greater variety of embedded systems

This is true for several reasons. For example, QNX is designed from the ground up for realtime performance, which is essential for a large number of embedded products - Internet routers, medical instruments, multimedia appliances, automotive safety systems, factory robots, to name a few. QNX can also target a greater variety of embedded systems because of its much smaller memory footprint; see next point.

It is better suited to 7/24 embedded systems

While Linux has a reputation for reliability, it cannot match QNX's inherent ability to enable the 99,999% availability (ie less than five minutes downtime a year) required by embedded products like Internet routers and medical instruments. For example, because Linux drivers and protocol stacks are all bound to the OS kernel, a single programming error in any driver can cause a kernel fault and crash the system. In QNX, these components are all memory-protected; they cannot corrupt the kernel. Better yet, they can all be upgraded 'on the fly' without a reboot - critical for any system that must stay running 24 hours, 365 days a year.





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

First NVMe SSD Built with 8th-gen BiCS FLASH
EBV Electrolink Computer/Embedded Technology
KIOXIA recently announced the development and prototype demonstration of its new KIOXIA CM9 Series PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs, which incorporates CMOS directly Bonded to Array technology.

Read more...
QuecPi smart development board
iCorp Technologies Computer/Embedded Technology
The QuecPi Alpha smart MOB development board is Quectel’s smart development board based on Qualcomm’s QCS6490 high-performance 64-bit octa-core processor.

Read more...
Eskom announces PV registration extension
Computer/Embedded Technology
The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association has welcomed Eskom’s decision to extend its zero-registration fee policy and free smart meter installation for residential Small-Scale Embedded Generation customers until March 2026.

Read more...
Unlock enhanced wireless performance
Computer/Embedded Technology
Duxbury Networking has introduced Cambium Networks’ Deep Virtual Circuit (Deep VC) technology, a free upgrade for the PMP 450 platform that will transform wireless broadband performance across the country.

Read more...
Computing in industrial environments
Vepac Electronics Computer/Embedded Technology
The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33/CF33 Tablet is a 12,0-inch fully rugged device with hot-swappable twin batteries and highly configurable capabilities.

Read more...
DDR5 DRAM series
Vepac Electronics Computer/Embedded Technology
Innodisk has announced its DDR5 6400 DRAM series featuring the industry’s largest 64GB single-module capacity.

Read more...
Generate waveforms at 10 GS/s
Vepac Electronics Computer/Embedded Technology
New flagship arbitrary waveform generator cards from Spectrum Instrumentation generate waveforms with 2,5 GHz bandwidth and 16-bit vertical resolution.

Read more...
Quad-port 10GBASE-T controller
Rugged Interconnect Technologies Computer/Embedded Technology
he SN4-DJEMBE, available from Rugged Interconnect, is a networking adaptor card for CompactPCI Serial systems, equipped with four individual controllers for 10GBASE-T.

Read more...
HPE policy management platform
Computer/Embedded Technology
Duxbury Networking has announced the availability of the HPE Aruba ClearPass policy management platform, that enables business and personal devices to connect to an organisational level, in compliance with corporate security policies.

Read more...
IoT gateways
Brandwagon Distribution Computer/Embedded Technology
IoT Gateways are hardware and software devices that are responsible for collecting data from connected devices, managing communication between devices and the cloud, and processing and analysing the data before sending it to the cloud for further analysis.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved