One of the strengths of Linux is that it can support a wide range of root filesystems, and so it can be tailored to suit a wide range of needs. We have seen that it is possible to construct a simple root filesystem manually with a small number of components and that BusyBox is especially useful in this regard. By going through the process one step at a time, it has given us insight into some of the basic workings of Linux systems, including network configuration and user accounts. However, the task rapidly becomes unmanageable as devices get more complex. And, there is the ever-present worry that there may be a security hole in the implementation, which we have not noticed.
In the next chapter, I will show you how using an embedded build system can make the process of creating an embedded Linux system much easier and more reliable. I will start by looking at Buildroot...
