Embedded Linux training in Avignon, France

Training session in Avignon, South of France

Free Electrons organizes a training session on embedded Linux system development in Avignon, south of France, on December 3-7, 2012.

See the other public sessions that we organize, in the same and in other locations.

Objectives and target audience

This course targets engineers who wish to use the Linux system in new embedded projects, and people supporting customers developing such systems. In five days, through theory and practical labs, the course makes you familiar with the architecture of an embedded Linux system, how to build such a system, how to take advantage of open source components to implement system features and reduce development costs, and details how to develop and debug your own applications in an embedded environment.

At the end of this course, you will be ready to start a project using embedded Linux, from system building to application development.

Outline

Here are the main topics that we cover:

Introduction to embedded Linux
C libraries. Building a cross-compiling toolchain
Bootloaders. Focus on U-boot.
Configuring, (cross)compiling and booting a Linux kernel
Creating a simple, BusyBox based root filesystem from scratch
Block filesystems
Flash filesystems – Manipulating flash partitions
Cross-compiling libraries and applications
Embedded system building tools
Lightweight tools for embedded systems. Graphical toolkits
Developing and debugging applications for the embedded system
Implementing realtime requirements
Hotplugging
System optimizations

See our agenda for content details.

The training materials we use during this course are all freely available. Before the session, you can then check that they correspond to your needs.

Practical labs

Each lecture in our course is followed by a practical implementation, representing 50% to 60% of the whole course time. Labs are performed on an embedded ARM board (IGEPv2 board from ISEE), on which you will progressively implement an embedded Linux system.

The electronic board is yours to keep at the end of the session. Even long after the course, this allows you to continue to learn and experiment using a well known working base. You can even use your board and what you created during the course to develop your own prototypes.

The IGEPv2 board is very powerful and has very complete connectivity. It will really allow you to develop all sorts of prototypes. You could even use it as a desktop or server!

Note: we won’t be able to guarantee that you will receive a board with WIFI and Bluetooth functionality. The corresponding component may not be available when we order your boards. If this happened, you will receive an extra accessory to compensate.

Prerequisites

Participants should be familiar with the UNIX or Linux command line interface. Those who aren’t should do some self training using our training materials on this topic). Without being absolutely necessary, this will make them more productive in your practical labs.

Language

Lectures and oral explanations will be given in English. French speakers could still have direct discussions with the trainer in French during practical labs.

Trainer

This training session will be performed by Michael Opdenacker. Embedded Linux engineer since 2003 and founder of Free Electrons, Michael has already performed more than 60 embedded Linux and kernel training sessions in 12 countries, in Europe, Asia and in North America.

For more information about your trainer, see our trainers page. You can also consult evaluations from previous sessions.

Location

The session will happen in Avignon, in the Mercure Pont d’Avignon Hotel in the historical center, 100 m away from the Popes Palace.

Address: Rue Ferruce, Quartier Balance, 84000 Avignon
Phone: 04 90 80 93 93
Map

You can reach Avignon:

From Marseille’s airport. You can come by car (approximately 1 hour), or by public transportation (shuttle + train, 1 hour to 1 1/2 hour).
By train from many cities in France, in particular with the TGV fast train. This way you can arrive in Lyon or Paris, and take the TGV train to reach Avignon.

See all practical details about how to reach Avignon.

Environment

The Avignon area is perfect to go out in the evening or during the week-end. You are in the heart of Provence, a region that attracts visitors from the entire world. Details.

Last but not least, Avignon is 2 hours and 40 minutes away from Paris with the TGV fast train. You may land in Paris, go to Avignon for the week, and get back to Paris for the week-end before you leave France.

Schedule

This course is from Monday to Friday (five days), from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. If some participants have to leave earlier on the last day, we can make sure that all key lectures and labs are complete by 4:00 pm on that day.

Cost

The training cost is 1990 € per person for 5 days. A discounted rate of 1690 € (-15%) is available:

For extra people from the same company (same billing address)
For any registration confirmed at least 2 months before the session starts.
For individuals who pay training expenses by themselves (with no refund from their company). This compensates for the fact that we have to add 19.6% V.A.T. to their training costs.

This rate includes the course, laptop rental, lunch as well as morning and afternoon breaks. Each participant walks away with his own electronic board. For more details about our rates, see this page.

Note that dinner, breakfast, accommodation, and traveling costs are not included in our price. Each participant will have to pay for such expenses by themselves.

Registration

Questions and answers

Q: How to arrive from Marseille’s airport?
A: You can either rent a car, or take public transportation. All details here.

Q: How easy is it to travel to Marseille? Are low-cost flights available?
A: Marseille is one of the biggest airports in France in terms of traffic. There are lots of direct flights from many European cities, and from most capitals, including a significant number of low-cost flights. Depending on where you are, it could be cheaper to fly to Marseille that to other parts of your country!

Q: Would you have any hotel to recommend?
A: Yes. We recommend to stay at the Mercure Pont d’Avignon hotel where the course takes place. If this hotel is full, you may also try other very close hotels in the historical center of Avignon: Mercure Cite des Papes, Hotel de l’Horloge, Kyriad Avignon Palais des Papes or Hotel du Palais des Papes. Many more hotels are available in Avignon, but perhaps not within walking distance.

Q: Does the Mercure Pont d’Avignon hotel offer special conditions for training participants?
A: Yes. Special rates may be available, depending on how full the hotel is. When you book your room, make sure you tell the hotel crew that you participate to Free Electrons’ Linux session, and ask whether a special rate is available.

Q: Should I rent a car?
A: If you are interested in visiting Provence in the evenings or during the week-ends, we strongly recommend to rent a car if you can. Unfortuately, public transportation is not well developed there, and you would have trouble getting back to Avignon after going out in the evening. On the other hand, if you prefer to stay at your hotel, relax and just visit Avignon by foot, you won’t need a car.

See our page on all our public sessions for more questions and answers common to all training locations.