Re: [Vserver] About open Linux phone/SDK Neo1973/OpenMoko & your feedback to run linux-vserver on a Arm9 cpu (Samsung s3c2410 SoC)

From: Herbert Poetzl <herbert_at_13thfloor.at>
Date: Tue 28 Nov 2006 - 15:12:20 GMT
Message-ID: <20061128151220.GE23131@MAIL.13thfloor.at>

On Mon, Nov 27, 2006 at 05:28:36PM +0100, Robert Michel wrote:
> Salve!
>
> I'm a student and for years interested in Gnu/Linux(Debian) and mobile
> communication. By thinking what a modern phone could do and what a
> user realy can do with such phones (developed for the network provider
> and the prospects of the phone sellers...) makes me realy sick. ;(
>
> So I descided to do not spend my time on developing software for such
> resticted devices and to wait for a free open phone.
> Even the first Linux based phones like the A760 from Motorola does
> disapoint me, because the published only the kernel (after a long fight
> to do this) but modification woul'd not be easy, because so much isn't
> published or documented.
>
> Because of the power of the network provider I didn't expected a
> free open (linux) very fast and thought the first free Linux phone
> would be a selfmade one with the combination of PDA and a GSM card.
>
> Surprises of the year:
> #1 Trolltec anounced some month ago the "green phone" for developers.
> With 700$ quite expensive and AFAIK not realy free - it belongs to
> licences with trolltec and probably to use binarys from them.
>
> #2 FIC announced on 2006_11_07 at the "Open Source in Mobile Conference"
> in amsterdam their phone Neo1973 and their open Linux developer
> plattform OpenMoko:
>
> http://www.openmoko.com
> Presentation slides:
> http://www.openmoko.com/files/OpenMoko_Amsterdam.pdf
>
> When I saw this slides via internet, especialy slide #6 ;)
>
> ----------------------------
> Oh and well, one more feature.
> An adaption of my favorite command in all
> of computing.
> root at filebuntu:~# apt-get install _
> ----------------------------
>
> By reading this, I was 100% shure that the people behind this project
> are the right on and that a dream has come true.
> Then I found out that also Harald Welte (you know him from
> gpl-violations issues) was involved in starting this project:
> http://gnumonks.org/~laforge/weblog/2006/11/08/
> :))))
> And he already hacked with the A760 and opentom... ;)))))
>
> So there have been real and good GPL hacker, who have conviced a
> hardware producer (FIC) to use the power of Linux(Debian) for
> their devices and open it like a PC, giving the user the freedom
> which OS to install and which applications and that this could
> now become true (with linux):
>
> smartphone = mobil PC + GSM/GPRS (+ Asissted GPS)
>
> Because the GSM part is on an external chip connected via serial
> interface to the System on a Chip (Samsung s3c2410) and controlled
> with AT-commands like an external device - the kernel could run without
> close source binaries and the phone will be a trustworthy device.
> (As much as you can trust the SoC *g*).
>
> For raise the security level, especialy for the end user market, the
> linux-vserer technics would become IMHO *very* interesting.
>
> The core functions (GSM/GPRS...) could become protected that even when
> an badly programmed application runnig wild - the phone would still be
> usable for basic functions (calling, espeicaly 911/112 emergency calls)
> ...
>
> - close source applications or application from lower trustworthy source
> could become own sandboxes
>
> - applications with a hight security demand "server administration with
> ssh", telebanking could have also a own sandbox
>
> - with "guest suspend to RAM" applications could start faster and could
> run at the same point they have been "paused" like applications on the
> palm pilot ;)
>
> - other users could get a vserver account to run their scripts on the
> mobile PC - the owner could limited and log the BT/GSM/GPRS access...
> Example: an NGO, a university, a company could please their members
> to run their programms... when they pass a BT station they can
> transmitt informations...
> So the guest system could get a limitation for GPRS traffic
> or limitation of CPU power...
>
> Or just share vserver accounts on your mobile with your friends
> (With integrated Wifi and 433Mhz receiver it would become much
> more interesting what to do with this...)
>
> No question, vserver on a smartphone could be usefull. :))
>
>
> Now my questions to you ;)
>
> - I know that vserver does not have the same hardware demand like
> xen or user mode linux - where can I get informations about using
> linux-vserver with arm9 (portable devices)?

well, the samsung s3c2410 accidentially is also in
the HP 1940 I won roughly two years ago, and of course
it runs linux and especially Linux-VServer :)

if you encounter any issues, please let me know ...

HTH,
Herbert

> - Does somebody of you have experiances and could tell me or the
> openmoko community about how much effort/work needed and performace
> would cost to run linux-vserver on the Samsung s3c2410 SoC powered
> linux smart phone Neo1973?
>
> And of course when you like the idea of an open GPL/Linux plattform for
> (GSM/GPRS, AGPS, .. ) mobiles, too - I would like it very much when
> you would participate or just give ideas to the starting OpenMoko
> community, in which ways linux-vserver could power up the securty, potential
> and usability - for experts but also for normal PC|phone users.
> :)
>
> Cheers,
> rob
>
> PS:
> Community mailinglist archive:
> http://lists.openmoko.org/pipermail/community/
>
> Preliminary Specification
>
> Note: These are _not_ final. But since we've had so many questions on
> our mailing lists,
> it's probably best to post them in one place:
>
> Hardware
> * 120.7 x 62 x 18.5 (mm)
> * 2.8" VGA (480x640) TFT Screen
> * Samsung s3c2410 SoC
> * Global Locate AGPS chip
> * Ti GPRS (2.5G not EDGE)
> * Unpowered USB 1.1
> * Touchscreen
> * micro-sd slot
> * 2.5mm audio jack
> * 2 buttons
> * 1200 mAh battery (charged over USB)
> * 128 MB SDRAM
> * 64 MB NAND Flash
>
> Software
> * Dialer
> * Contacts
> * Application Manager
> * Calendar
> * More...
>
> Price: 350 US$ + shipping
>
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Received on Tue Nov 28 15:14:15 2006

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