[ILUG] Embedded x86 bootup

[Padraig Brady]

 > Howdy folks!
 >
 > I've got an embedded x86 system running Linux.  I've got to configure 
 > this to withstand possible on and off switching by plebs.

Just mount your fs' readonly.

 > What hardware would I need to accomplish this?

what hardware used is irrelevant.

 > If FLASH memory is the way to go (as initially recommended by
 > Kevin et al), how is it used?  How do I boot from it?

The advantage of flash is high MTBF, disadvantages are cost, speed
and you need software support to stop any parts of the flash being
written to too often.

The handiest way is to use existing software
interfaces and emulate the flash as a hard disk.
This is most easily done with compact flash as it is
supports a subset of ATAPI. I.E. it has an IDE contoller
built in. Therefore you need just a simple ($20) passive
addapter to plug it into the IDE controller on your motherboard.
A list of possible adapters I've compiled is below.

Padraig.

http://www.versalogic.com/Products/DS.asp?ProductID=108
http://mesanet.com/diskcardinfo.html
http://www.projectplasma.com/cf2ide/
http://www.dansdata.com/cfide.htm
http://www.pcengines.com/cflash.htm
http://www.psism.com/pci_rear_reader.htm
http://www.tapr.org/tapr/html/Fcfa.html
http://www.adtron.com/pdsdda.htm
http://www.m-sys.com/
http://www.douglas.com/hardware/pcbs/pc104/6deidef104.html
http://www.advantech.com/products/product_list.asp?category_name=Solid%20State%20Disks
http://www.chase-at.com/cartportmain.htm
http://www.sti-oem.com