68300

On Thu, Jul 17, 2003 at 04:27:33PM -0500, Scott Newell wrote:
> Will the common low-end parallel port BDM units work on anything other
> than an x86 based host PC?

with GNU, so you're contractually obligated to have the source and do
with it as you please within the bounds of the GPL.  provided such a
platform has a parallel port, it's theoretically possible to port an the
device driver.

> I've noticed that SingleStep is available for unix, but I've never
> heard of anyone using a wiggler under Solaris/Sparc or HP-UX.  I've
> read about people using wigglers with gdb, but it seems like they're
> running under Linux or Windows on x86 based host hardware.

the other option is an ethernet-based wiggler like the visionICE II or
cybertec's coldfire bench unit (http://www.cybertec.com.au/sfpbdm.htm).
with a little work, you could even cobble your own ethernet to BDM box
from castoff x86 hardware.

> My motivation is that my >4 year old PC is due for an upgrade.  From
> reading the Wind River FAQs, it's gonna be _really_ pricey if I have
> to get new node-locked licenses issued for the compiler (diab) and
> debugger (singlestep).  Enough that I'll consider migrating new
> development to gcc/gdb/rtems.  If I do that, there's not much else
> stopping me from moving to a unix based primary workstation, assuming
> I can debug my '332 hardware!

if you can get over the learning curve of the GNU tools, they can be
extremely rewarding to use, since you don't have to worry about support
contracts or per-seat licenses, and there's enough momentum in the
community that you don't have to worry about support being dropped.  in
the worst case scenario with the GNU tools, you have the code, which
means that either you can fix the problem your self, or hire someone
else to.  with proprietary toolchains your options in the face of vendor
discontinuatino are much more limited.  I have received better support
from other GNU tool and RTEMS users than I ever did from EST, and I
never even paid the GNU users for a support contract.  (:

-- 
  Aaron J. Grier  |   Frye Electronics, Tigard, OR   |  aaron@...