[evla-sw-discuss] Updated RTOS & Network Software Info
Bill Sahr
bsahr at cv3.cv.nrao.edu
Mon Apr 1 19:24:19 EST 2002
I was able to add some info on the network stack offered
by Elmic Systems. An updated version of the comparison
sheet for the two RTOSes & the network stack software is
included in this posting.
Bill
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file: ~/MIB_rtos.txt
author: Bill Sahr
date: 4/1/2002
RTOS KERNELS
product name Nucleus PLUS ThreadX
vendor ATI Express Logic
image size avg size ranges 25KB to 30KB max,
from 12KB to 45KB i.e., if all OS services
are included
additional RAM
requirements ? ?
memory model ? flat, unprotected
MMUs not supported
(see comment 3)
price $12,495.00 $12,500 for 3 seats
unlimited seats (?)
currently
ported to TriCore yes no
architecture
additional fee
for TriCore or probable, amount not possible, amount not
TC11IB port yet known yet known
time to port 2 - 4 weeks 8 weeks (max)
royalty fees none none
support ? 3 months
source code yes, included in yes, included in
purchase price purchase price
comments: 1. The preemption threshold model implemented in ThreadX may be useful.
2. The same individual, Bill Lamie, was the author of both
Nucleus Plus & ThreadX. ThreadX was written after Nucleus PLUS.
These two RTOSes are so similar that the third party network vendor
named Interniche uses the same build for both. ThreadX claims to
be smaller & faster. Those claims are probably true.
3. I put the following question to the Express Logic (ThreadX) sales
rep - "Will the kernel (& tool sets) merge the 512KB and 1 MB
chunks of memory on the TC11IB into a "unified" memory space ?"
The reply was - "If the TC11IB has the ability to remap memory areas
then it's certainly possible to put them together. If not, it is
very simple for ThreadX to manage memory in non-contiguous areas."
NETWORKING, NETWORK STACKS
product name Nucleus NET Niche Stack
vendor ATI Interniche
OS Support Nucleus PLUS Nucleus PLUS,
ThreadX,
VxWorks,
& others
protocols TCP, UDP, IP, BOOTP client, TCP, UDP, IP, BOOTP,
IGMP, ICMP, ARP, RARP, IGMP available as an
DNS client/resolver, option, ICMP, ARP,
DHCP client, DNS client, DHCP client,
RIP II, TFTP client TFTP
socket API Not specified. Appears to based on BSD 4.4, non-
be a fairly complete blocking versions of
implementation of BSD sockets, all functions available
including a Select call.
image size avg size of 50KB to 75KB With all of the above
listed protocols, incl
the sockets API, but not
incl IGMP, total ROM &
RAM requirements are
51.5 KB on an ARM 32
processor.
additional RAM ? ?
requirements
price $15,000.00 $12,000 ($9K if bundled
with their web server
product.)
license model single product per project, per RTOS,
per architecture
royalty fees no no
support ? 1 yr - email, www, fax
& telephone
source code yes yes
comments: 1. IGMP is required to support multicasting. Multicasting is not
identical to broadcasting.
2. The Interniche products include "NicheTool", a menu driven
debugging/optimizing tool.
3. The Interniche products are zero copy stacks. Their claim for
speed is that for most target systems, TCP/IP transfer rates are
limited by processor speed. Is this claim an oxymoron ?
4. Adding IGMP to NicheStack to support multicasting will increase its
footprint. I currently have conflicting information as to how much
of an increase. I am seeking clarification.
NETWORKING, NETWORK STACKS, continued
product name Niche Lite Turbo Treck TCP/IP
(see comment 1) (see comment 3)
vendor Interniche Elmic Systems
OS Support Nucleus PLUS, Nucleus PLUS
ThreadX, ThreadX,
VxWorks, VxWorks & others
& others (see comment 4)
protocols TCP, UDP, IP, TCP, (see comment 5)
ICMP, ARP UDP, IPv4, ICMP, ARP
TFTP Ethernet, SLIP, RIPv2
Listener, Ping app,
IGMP, TFTP, DHCP, &
BOOTP avail as opptions.
(see comment 6)
socket API subset of BSD 4.4 BSD 4.4 sockets
(see comment 2)
image size approx 12KB TBD
additional RAM TBD TBD
requirements
price $12,000.00 $14,500, includes
integration files
& Ethernet drivers
license model as per NicheStack TBD
royalty fees no no
support 1yr - email, www, TBD
fax & phone
source code yes yes
comments: 1. NicheStack supports an unlimited number of devices. NicheLite
supports only one hardware device. IGMP and multicasting are not
included in NicheLite. I do not know if they can be added as options.
2. Descriptions of the socket APIs for NicheStack & NicheLite are
available in my office.
3. Very cheesey name.
4. Elmic's TCP/IP stack uses an integration file to port to various
operating systems. A pre-configured integration file for ThreadX
is available from Elmic. The sales rep could not tell me if an
integration file is available for Nucleus PLUS. She is
researching that question. She was sure that some of their
customers are using the Turbo Treck TCP/IP stack with Nucleus
PLUS (& with VxWorks). A tech note on porting is to be sent.
5. For its TCP/IP stack Elmic Systems claims zero copy to/from the
application, inside the protocol stack, and to/from the device
driver. The TCP/IP stack requires a timer to signal the protocol.
6. The IGMP package costs $5K. The TFTP package costs $3K. A package
containing the DHCP client, relay agent, & BOOTP is available for
$5K. The RAM requirements for these optional packages have been
requested.
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