Why keeping your embedded Linux system healthy for the long run is important
As devices become more and more part of global systems—like high-end devices connected directly or indirectly to IoT hubs, business apps, ERPs, and industrial tools—it’s super important to make sure they don’t have any weak points. That’s why long-term maintenance activities are crucial to prevent vulnerabilities and make sure your product stays top-notch throughout its whole life.
The challenges of embedded Linux system maintenance
Despite the importance of long-term maintenance activities and processes, equipment manufacturers often face challenges in implementing effective methodologies. Challenges include the need for a flexible system versioning strategy, a platforming approach to optimize the time spent on maintenance for multiple products, CVE and LTS update follow-up, and the perception that maintenance is not always an added value activity. To address these challenges, a robust methodology and adapted tooling are essential.
Note that your maintenance activities can be carried out in parallel with your development activities, with regular merging of the two branches for releases.
A key concept: LTS versions
LTS, or long-term support, is a key concept to grasp in software development.
It denotes the extended support provided for all the software layers in your system, akin to what the Yocto Project offers on various kernel versions. This support spans several years, simplifying the task of maintaining stability and reliability in embedded systems. With a maintenance period lasting three to four years, LTS versions serve as the rock-solid foundation for uninterrupted software operation, delivering crucial updates, security patches, and bug fixes. This stability is especially vital in fields like medical devices, where software maintenance may stretch over a decade or more.
The migration strategy from one LTS version to another, involving routine minor updates and periodic shifts to major LTS versions, strikes a balance between embracing new features and upholding a robust foundation.
Building products with security in mind to simplify your maintenance
It’s a must to weave cybersecurity into the very fabric of your solution for keeping your product in good shape over the long run. Don’t wait until your project is out in the wild—make security decisions right from the start. If you don’t know where to start, consult our article on this topic.
Build a reference DevOps platform from the get-go
At The Embedded Kit, we’ve mapped our reference DevOps platform in our commitment to ensuring the long-term health and security of our customers software projects. Anchored in Yocto BSP source code management, it orchestrates a seamless build process, incorporating SonarQube analyses for source code integrity. At its core is CVE scan, our Linux vulnerability scanner that meticulously detects vulnerabilities in the SBOM. The platform facilitates a sophisticated annotation process, allowing for nuanced analysis and differentiation between actual vulnerabilities and false positives.
Automated testing, with Pluma, ensures that every release undergoes rigorous validation, mitigating the risk of major regressions in the system.
With a holistic approach that encompasses development, analysis, and testing, our reference DevOps platform serves as a robust foundation, empowering developers to navigate the complexities of long-term maintenance with efficiency and precision.
