published The production of the project ELKS 0.6 (EmbedDable Linux Kernel Subset), developing Linux-like operating system for 16-bit processors Intel 8086, 8088, 80188, 80186, 80286 and NEC V20/V3. OS can be used both on old IBM-PC XT / AT computers, and on SBC / SOC / FPGA, recreating the IA16 architecture.
The project has been developing since 1995 and began as a Linux core branch for devices without a memory control unit (MMU). The initial texts are distributed under the GPLV2 license. The system is supplied in the form of images for recording on floppy-disk or launching in the emulator Qemu.
Two options for a network stack are offered – the standard TCP/IP of the Linux core and the stack KTCP, which works in the user space. Of network cards, Ethernet adaptors compatible with NE2K and SMC are supported. It is also possible to create communication channels through a sequential port using SLIP and CSLIP. Minix V1, FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32 are supported from file systems. The download process is set through the script /etc/rc.d/rc.sys.
In addition to the Linux nucleus, adapted for 16-bit systems, the project develops a set of standard utilities (PS, BC, TAR, DU, Diff, Netstat, Mount, SED, Xargs, GREP, FIND, TELNET, MEMINFO, etc.), including Compatible with Bash command interpreter, Screen console manager, text editors kilo and VI, graphic surroundings on the basis of the X-server nano-x . Many components of the user space are borrowed from minix , including the format of executable files.
In the new issue:
- added an interpreter of the Basic language suitable for workstations and systems stitched in ROM. Including commands for working with files (Load/Save/Dir) and graphics (Mode, Plot, Circle and Draw).
- Added a program for working with archives TAR.
- Added MAN and EMAN commands for showing man-breeding, as well as support for the show of compressed MAN pages.
- The Bash implementation is built -in the Test (“[“).
- Added command “Net Restart”. The team is rewritten NSLOOKUP.
- The Mount team added the possibility of showing information about targeted sections.
- increased speed of the LS command in sections with FS Fat.
- The work and support of 8-bit systems in the NE2K network driver.
- Ricked the FTPD FTP server, in which the SITE team and the possibility of setting timeouts appeared.
- For all network applications, support for resolving DNS names through an in_getbystbyname call is implemented.
- SuS support for copying the entire disk.
- Added a new SETUP team for quick tuning named after host and IP address.
is significantly improved.