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Linux Kernel Programming and Introduction to Yocto Project

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Linux Kernel Programming and Introduction to Yocto Project

This course is part of Advanced Embedded Linux Development Specialization

Instructor: Daniel Walkes

10,197 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

27 reviews

Advanced level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

4 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

Build toward a degree

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

27 reviews

Advanced level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

4 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

Build toward a degree

Learn more

What you'll learn

Fundamentals of Linux kernel development.
How to build a custom Linux kernel driver and deploy on an Embedded Device.
How to use the Yocto project to build Embedded Device images

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Advanced Embedded Linux Development Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

This course provides an introduction to Kernel Driver development for the Linux operating system. The Yocto build system is introduced, which students use to build their own custom Embedded Linux system through programming assignments. This course builds on the assignments and knowledge obtained in the Linux System Programming and Introduction to Buildroot, which must be completed before starting this course.

In this module, you will learn the basics of Linux Device Drivers, including how to build and run a Linux Device Driver. You will modify the socket application you developed in the previous course and add threading. You will also be introduced to the Yocto Project and build a custom Yocto image which includes your custom socket application developed in the previous course.

What's included

11 videos6 readings2 assignments1 peer review

11 videos Total 132 minutes

Introduction to Device Drivers 10 minutes
Device Drivers Overview 12 minutes
Introduction to Kernel Modules 15 minutes
Building and Loading Kernel Modules 12 minutes
Kernel Module Design Basics 13 minutes
Introduction to Yocto 14 minutes
Building a Yocto Image 19 minutes
Yocto/Buildroot Comparison 8 minutes
Assignment 6 Part 1: Threading and Linked Lists 11 minutes
Assignment 6 Part 1: Socket Server Threading Demo 9 minutes
Assignment 6 Part 2: Yocto Environment Bringup Demo 9 minutes

6 readings Total 51 minutes

Course Updates and Accessibility Support 1 minute
Non-Credit Students: Welcome and Where to Find Help 10 minutes
Introducing Honorlock for For-Credit Exam Proctoring 10 minutes
Hardware & Software Requirements 10 minutes
Assignment 6 Part 1 Instructions 10 minutes
Assignment 6 Part 2 Instructions 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 20 minutes

Intro to Device Drivers 10 minutes
Building and Running Kernel Modules 10 minutes

1 peer review Total 360 minutes

Assignment 6 Peer Review 360 minutes

In this module, you will learn about the different types of Linux Kernel drivers and the kernel support for character device drivers. You will learn about fundamental driver data structures and functions for interacting with user space. You will understand the basics of Kernel debugging and how this differs from application debugging. You will implement a unit-tested circular buffer which will be used in future assignments. Finally, you will build a Yocto embedded device image with support for an out of tree kernel module.

What's included

7 videos2 readings2 assignments1 peer review

7 videos Total 80 minutes

Connecting to Userspace 15 minutes
Device Driver File Operations 17 minutes
Device Driver and Userspace Continued 8 minutes
Circular Buffer Implementation 11 minutes
Assignment 7 Part 1 Demo: Circular Buffer Assignment overview and demo 2 minutes
Kernel Debugging 16 minutes
Assignment 7 Part 2 Demo: Yocto and Buildroot Kernel Driver Builds 10 minutes

2 readings Total 20 minutes

Assignment 7 Part 1 Instructions 10 minutes
Assignment 7 Part 2 Instructions 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 20 minutes

Character Device Drivers 10 minutes
Kernel Debugging Techniques 10 minutes

1 peer review Total 360 minutes

Assignment 7 Peer Review 360 minutes

In this module, you will learn the basics of concurrency in the Linux kernel, and how to use semaphore and mutex in your device driver to design for concurrent access. You will learn the difference between atomic and non atomic context and strategies for locking in each context. You will modify your socket application to interact with a custom character device based on your tested circular buffer implementation using the concurrency concepts discussed in the module.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review

8 videos Total 99 minutes

Concurrency and Race Conditions 10 minutes
Kernel Critical Sections 15 minutes
Additional Kernel Locking Options 12 minutes
More fun with Locking 15 minutes
Assignment 8 Overview 26 minutes
Additional Kernel Debug 8 minutes
Assignment 8 FAQ 12 minutes
Assignment 8 Demo: Char Driver and Multithreading Concepts 2 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Assignment 8 Instructions 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 10 minutes

Concurrency 10 minutes

1 peer review Total 600 minutes

Assignment 8 Peer Review 600 minutes

In this module, you will learn the purpose and use of the ioctl command for Linux drivers and how the ioctl command is implemented in a driver. You will learn the basics of sleeping and waking up in the Linux kernel and how to handle blocking and non-blocking IO. You will modify your custom Linux kernel driver and Linux application to include ioctl support.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review

6 videos Total 71 minutes

ioctl 15 minutes
Sleeping in the Kernel 10 minutes
Kernel Sleep Continued 13 minutes
Poll and Select 10 minutes
Assignment 9 Overview 16 minutes
Assignment 9 Demo: Advanced Char Driver Operations 7 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Assignment 9 Instructions 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 10 minutes

Advanced Char Driver Operations 10 minutes

1 peer review Total 600 minutes

Assignment 9: Advanced Char Driver Operations 600 minutes

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Build toward a degree

This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

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(12 ratings)

Daniel Walkes

University of Colorado Boulder

3 Courses 29,757 learners

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University of Colorado Boulder

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Reviewed on Apr 11, 2023

The course is not easy, but it worth invested time. IMO, the main advantage is the experience gained.

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Frequently asked questions

System Requirements

You must have access to a computer configured with the following specifications to complete this specialization:

Operating System:

Ubuntu 22.04 (64-bit) is required, but Ubuntu 20.04 (64-bit) may also be used. Other versions of Ubuntu, or other distributions, are not officially supported and may not work properly with assignment instructions.

The build system host must use an x86_64 (amd64) architecture. ARM-based systems are not supported.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is not supported for ECEA 5306: Linux Kernel Programming and Introduction to Yocto Project, which includes Linux kernel development and Yocto projects. If you plan to continue to this course, please prepare a dedicated build host or virtual machine.

Memory (RAM):

At least 8 GB RAM is recommended. You may be able to complete assignments with less, but 4 GB or less may cause build failures.

Disk Space:

At least 200 GB of free disk space is recommended.

Hardware Requirements

While hardware is not required to complete ECEA 5305: Linux Systems Programming and Introduction to Buildroot or ECEA 5306: Linux Kernel Programming and Introduction to Yocto Project, the final course in this specialization, ECEA 5307: Linux Embedded System Topics and Projects, will require students to use embedded hardware of their choosing for the final project.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.