T2 SDE
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- The correct title of this article is T2 SDE. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.
| Image:T2logo.png | |
| Website: | t2-project.org |
| Company/ developer: |
T2 community/ExactCODE |
| OS family: | GNU/Linux |
| Source model: | Open Source |
| Latest stable release: | 6.0.3 / 29 March 2007 |
| Update method: | Tar_(file_format), Source |
| Supported platforms: | Alpha, ARM, AVR32, Blackfin, IA64, MIPS, MIPS64, PowerPC, PowerPC64, SPARC, SPARC64, SuperH, x86, x86-64 |
| Kernel type: | Linux, Minix |
| Default user interface: | KDE, Gnome, XFCE, etc. |
| License: | GPL |
| Working state: | Current |
T2 is a flexible Open Source System Development Environment (short SDE) that allows the automated creation of Linux-based system. Sometimes this kind of system is also referred to as Distribution Build Kit.
It is not just a common Linux distribution; it is an automated build process capable that builds for these CPU architectures supported by GCC/Linux: Alpha, ARM, AVR32, Blackfin, IA64, MIPS, MIPS64, PowerPC, PowerPC64, SPARC, SPARC64, SuperH, x86 (i386), and x86-64 (AMD64). A subset of the included packages (primarily the ones useful in Embedded Systems including X Window System) can be cross compiled.
Because of the flexibility of the T2 build system the T2 Project current works on expanding to support Minix, Hurd, OpenDarwin, and BSD kernels such as OpenBSD.
Contents |
[edit] Field use
While maintaining a high level of stability with quality assurance and regular release cycles T2 made it into several external products, such as the compact Linux Distribution named Puppy Linux as well as a commercial archiving solution manufactured by the Swiss company Archivista.
[edit] History
The Open T2 SDE was started as a community driven fork from the ROCK Linux Project with the aim to create a decentralized development and clean a framework for spin-off projects and customized distributions and is released under the terms of the GNU General Public License.
T2 is an intern project name for "try two - (second try)" or "technology two" but as it became too well-known within the first month it was not changed later on and eventually became the official name.
[edit] Overview
T2 is a flexible open source build kit for Linux based Systems supporting the creation of custom distributions. Whether embedded systems with low memory footprint, secure and highly specialized server setups or complete desktop systems - the modular framework of T2 can easily be adapted.
[edit] Standard compliant
Packages are kept clean and distribution specific patches are avoided. Furthermore T2 adheres to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) and Linux Standard Base (LSB). Package configurations are kept simple with focus on security. Inconsistencies and historical cruft is evaded by making as few assumptions about the past as possible.
[edit] The Build System
T2 features an automated build system which manages the whole compilation process including an optional installer CD creation. After initial creation of the build-toolchain, all packages are built inside a sandbox environment to monitor installed files and dependencies automatically.
Optionally a cross-build between different architectures can be done, for example to use a fast machine to build a system for a thin client. The build system can also modify the execution of various programs to provide a generic way to transform control compiler flags and file manipulations.
[edit] Framework
The T2 framework allows for the creation of individual custom build target definitions, including the package selection and C library to be used and to customize their configuration. The build system merges those definitions together and generates a build process. Dependencies of packages are traced and resolved during the compilation process to take away this burden from the user. There is full control of the build output such as to create a installable CD or ROM images for embedded use or distributing the compiled system over the network.
[edit] Portability
Due to the nature of the clean source packages and its automatic build system, T2 is highly portable. It includes support for ARM, Alpha, HPPA, HPPA64, IA-64, MIPS, MIPS64, PowerPC, PowerPC64, SPARC, Ultra SPARC, SuperH and x86, x86-64. The user can add definitions for other architectures to the SDE if desired.
Since the automatic build system controls the whole build, it can transform compiler arguments used by the various packages on-the-fly. This allows adapting the optimization for the specified CPU platform.
[edit] Packaging system
Instead of relying on common packaging systems like RPM or DEB, T2 instead uses ASCII format to specify the package parameters.
T2 already ships with more than 2500 packages, including the X.Org windowing system, desktop environments like KDE, GNOME and many other server and security additions and many specialized embedded packages.
[edit] System development
T2 can be used to build custom Linux distribution.
[edit] Hardware auto-detection
T2 uses Linux's hotplug mechanism.
[edit] Network configuration
For network configuration a modular framework is included in T2 supporting: profiles, basic IP configuration, multiple interfaces, static routing, stateful firewalling, W-LAN, PPP incl. analog modems, PPPoE (cable and DSL) as well as CSD and GPRS for use with mobile phones.
[edit] Administration
T2 features an Install CD target with a installer supporting partitioning hard-drives, creating file-systems, defining mount points, package selection. The config tool STONE allows administrators to configure system services, network and behavior. STONE is compatible with the system's standard config files, manual changes in those files are mostly preserved.
[edit] Embedded Systems
T2 supports custom targets. When updating binary packages, there is a backup mode for modified files, so no config file is accidentally lost. Together the support for different compilers and options like dietLibC and uClibC and other space-optimized packages.
During T2 development, the sandbox environment is used to review the content installed by the packages, as well as the preconditions needed to build the package. In addition, a regression tester verifies cross builds. Since the system builds itself up in the sandbox environment it is guaranteed to be stable to selfhosting - to bootstrap itself.
[edit] External links
[edit] Official Project Resources
- t2-project.org Official T2 Project Website
- Targets Targets included in T2
- Architectures Supported Architectures
[edit] Distributions based on T2
- Puppy Linux Live CD and Multi-Session CD/DVD
[edit] Additional Information
- DistroWatch T2 SDE on DistroWatch
[edit] Field use
- ExactCODE A professional platform provider, located in Berlin, Germany
- Archivista A commercial archiving solution manufactured by the Swiss company Archivista
