Changing Your Operating System Is Easy

New operating systems that are launched in the Embedded Software market are theoretically enhancements of the older version. Product developers often discover that older operating systems are no longer supported by the OS vendor, hardware manufacturers have stopped supporting the OS or that end-customers are requesting that the application be moved to a modern or popular operating system. Some requested enhancements to “application software” might not be possible on the old OS version.


There can be innumerable reasons for changing your operating system. Sometimes the need arises from nothing more than the passage of time. After a product has been manufactured for a few years, it can become impossible to add a new feature to the application code if the feature is not supported by the old OS. Hardware is also constantly changing, new hardware might not support existing product features, new features, or the old OS. New hardware can also require moving to a newer version of the same OS. Therefore, regardless of the reason for change, it is essential to ensure that your new OS:


* Runs on your next-generation hardware

* Is more economical and possibly royalty free

* Is open-source and free

* Offers advanced development tools

* Provides a wide selection of protocol, driver and middleware assistance

* Provides improved performance and a smaller memory footprint

* Meets your certification standards


Changing your operating system is not a complicated process anymore.  Today there are companies that have introduced advanced porting kits that make changing your OS simple and easy. They enable you to re-use the software developed for VxWorks, pSOS, Linux/POSIX, Windows, Nucleus and μITRON on another OS while simultaneously offering real time performance. They save money, lessen the time to market and reduce or eliminate the manual porting effort. The porting kit enables a seamless OS change by connecting a new OS interface to a user’s existing application.


OS change porting kits can be installed on either Linux or Windows host platforms. Depending on the application, developers can select a porting kit catering to their requirements. If the application requires access to more than one kind of API set, then developers can browse through the Cross-OS development platform offered by companies. OS change solution providers’ offer developers the freedom to switch or upgrade embedded operating systems thereby allowing developers to leverage their software investments while averting expensive porting concerns. It further enables developers to write code utilizing a familiar API and operate the application on a wide range of supported target OS platforms.


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