Embedded Linux Conference & OpenIoT Summit North America 2018

Debian is one of the oldest Linux based operating systems in widespread use.


As embedded hardware becomes more capable, Debian becomes an attractive OS for projects. Debian provides clear licensing, a solid technical foundation, and over twenty-five thousand software projects already available within Debian.


Unfortunately, embedded system projects may make changes to a customized Debian OS in ways that make it difficult to apply security updates or system upgrades. This can lead to an unmaintained fork of Debian with long-standing security vulnerabilities unfixed in the hands of end-users. Nobody likes bit-rot.


Many of these common pitfalls can be mitigated or avoided entirely by understanding Debian's culture, infrastructure, technical norms, and contribution processes. These understandings will improve embedded systems using Debian over the long-term.