Solutions for X86
Operating Systems & Bootloaders for
X86 Single Board Computers

All Technologic Systems X86 single board computers have GS-DOS pre-installed on the A: drive. GS-DOS can be used as the primary OS, or as a backup OS when re-flashing the BIOS. Other compatible DOS versions include MS-DOS, Datalight DOS, and DR-DOS. Contact Technologic Systems for license cost of Datalight DOS or DR-DOS.

DOS Features

• General Software DOS-ROM included
• Full TCP/IP library for DOS (Waterloo TCP/IP) with source code included
• Web server with full source code that can control DIO pins
• Transfer files to and from the SBC with Zmodem
• Console redirection over a serial port
• Example programs with source code included
• BIOS natively supports Matrix Keypad masqueraded as normal keyboard input to applications with alphanumeric LCD masqueraded as Video Output

Supporting Pages

• DOS FAQ - DOS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• DOS OS - Compatible DOS Operating Systems (OS)
• GS-DOS Downloads - GS-DOS manual and system files
• Example Code - Example source code
• Flashup - Utility for saving/restoring Flash memory images
• Ethernet - Ethernet TCP/IP Downloads for DOS
• Application Notes - Application Notes for x86 products
• Test Code - x86 SBC-Test Code for DOS

Each X86 single board computer boots to an embedded PC BIOS which configures the system prior to loading the operating system. Our products use an adapted BIOS made by General Software . The BIOS is designed to provide the standard set of interrupt calls expected of a PC, as well as emulating floppy disks in Flash memory via the standard floppy BIOS call and redirecting the PC console to a COM port.

• BIOS FAQ - BIOS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• BIOS Downloads - BIOS manual and utilities

Technologic Systems is proud to support the Linux operating system on our X86 single board computers. TS-Linux is a PC compatible embedded Linux distribution built from open source. Linux is highly suitable for embedded applications, as it increases driver support and makes network integration easier. There is a tailored Linux Kernel for each our single board computers, along with complete driver support for the hardware. The kernel source is also provided to end users to enable custom changes and development.

Linux Features

• Available with Linux 2.4 kernel installed on 64 MB or higher Compact Flash
• Small Linux Initial Ramdisk can fit into onboard 2 MB Flash Drive

TS-Linux Features

• Glibc version 2.2.5
• Kernel version 2.4.18 and 2.4.23
• Apache web server with PHP
• Telnet server and client
• FTP server and client
• BASH, ASH, minicom, vi, busybox, tinylogin, and other basic utilities included total footprint less than 18 MB (requires 32 MB or larger CF card)
• Based upon Linux From Scratch V3.1

Supporting Pages

• TS-Linux FAQ - TS-Linux Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Example Code - Sample source code
• Documentation - TS-Linux Documentation
• Applications - TS-Linux user space applications
• Filesystems - TS-Linux filesystem archive
• Linux Kernel - TS-Linux kernel archive

Technologic Systems Embedded PCs are compatible with a wide variety of x86-based operating systems. A partial list OSes currently used with our boards by customers includes:

• TNT Embedded Toolsuite, Phar Lap Software
• UCos II
• RTKernel, On Time Software
• RTEMS, On-Line Applications Research Corporation
• DOS with WATTCP, public domain TCP/IP source code for DOS
• Linux 2.6

OS Compatibility List

• uC/OS-II Real-time multi-tasking kernel
• eRTOS embedded Real-Time Operating System
• microCommander Modular HMI & automation software
• MicroDigital SMX Modular RTOS for embedded systems
• QNX Embedded real-time operating system