Follow-up: Linux, Dell Access Point, and the GPL.
[Apology: I'm not subscribed to the LKML, so please CC me on any replies.]
Last June, Colm MacCárthaigh reported that he had requested the Linux kernel sources used to build the kernel for the Dell 1184 wireless access point. Dell responded by sending a CD containing "vanilla Linux 2.2.14 with the 2.2.14-rmk4 patch". (See: http://lkml.org/archive/2003/6/8/76/)
That code is now included on the CDs that Dell distributes with the 1184 APs.
As it turns out, however, that is not the correct kernel source. The ARM chip in the Dell 1184 is an ARM7TDMI, which has no MMU. It is likely that the 1184 kernel is originally based on uClinux. It's certainly not 2.2.14-rmk4.
It appears, currently, as though Dell are the unlucky ones caught in the middle. The folks I've spoken with at Dell were not aware that the product was even running Linux.
We've been discussing this on the LinuxAP-Dev mailing list. (See:
http://ksmith.com/pipermail/linuxap-dev/2003-July/thread.html) Here's what we've determined so far:
Logging in to the 1184 via the TTL serial connection or telnet via port 333, we can run "sysconf view", which lists the manufacturer as "Gemtek Taiwan".
The source for vLinux, as Colm reported, is On Software International of Taiwan (previously known as OnLinux Technology Corp.). It appears that they are partnered with Vital Systems, Inc., of South Korea. Vital Systems is probably the producer of the development boards used for design and for testing the software used in the APs.
On Software is here: http://www.onsoftwarei.com/
Vital Systems is here: http://www.armlinux.net/
The likely development
board is here: http://www.armlinux.net/Eng/solution/vls_4510_ap.htm
I have sent a request to Vital Systems to ask about obtaining a development kit, but have had no response. Others have reported evasive replies from On Software. I do not know whether anyone has contacted Gemtek.
The upshot is that it appears that Dell is not in GPL compliance, but it may not be entirely their fault. It is, however, Dell's responsibility at this point to obtain and release the correct source since they sell the product that contains the binaries. I imagine that this whole thing has caught Dell off-guard, and the folks I've spoken to at Dell all appear to be working toward finding a good solution.
I would like to continue to provide Dell with good, positive encouragement. I am posting this message to find out whether there is anyone else following up on this, and to let people know the current status from my perspective. I've purchased one of these Dell boxes and I'd love to reflash it with my own build (I'd really like to get a working network bootloader in there).
Thoughts? Guidance?
Let me know.
Thanks.
Chris -)-----
--
"Implementing CIFS - the Common Internet FileSystem" ISBN: 013047116X
Samba Team -- http://www.samba.org/ -)----- Christopher R. Hertel jCIFS Team -- http://jcifs.samba.org/ -)----- ubiqx development, uninq. ubiqx Team -- http://www.ubiqx.org/ -)----- [email protected] OnLineBook -- http://ubiqx.org/cifs/ -)----- [email protected]
Good afternoon, Chris,
Quoted 4 lines · On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 [email protected] wrote:
[Apology: I'm not subscribed to the LKML, so please CC me on any replies.]
Last June, Colm MacCárthaigh reported that he had requested the Linux kernel sources used to build the kernel for the Dell 1184 wireless access
Had you considered getting in touch with the Dell tech team leader
first before posting to Linux-kernel? If you had been subscribed to Linux-kernel you would have known that Matt Domsch is a semi-regular contributor and quite willing to look into issues like this.
I've CC'd him. Please consider getting in touch with him first in
the future before trying to get the entire linux-kernel list involved. He may or may not have the answers you need, but at least he'd be more able to identify the right person to contact.
Cheers,
- Bill
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William Stearns ([email protected]). Mason, Buildkernel, freedups, p0f,
rsync-backup, ssh-keyinstall, dns-check, more at: http://www.stearns.org
Linux articles at: http://www.opensourcedigest.com
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Quoted 4 lines · William Stearns
I've CC'd him. Please consider getting in touch with him first in
the future before trying to get the entire linux-kernel list involved. He may or may not have the answers you need, but at least he'd be more able to identify the right person to contact.
Is there some place where the copyright holders of the concerned code can keep in touch with what's happening in this area? (eg, mailing list, etc.)
Signature · 2 lines
Russell King ([email protected]) The developer of ARM Linux http://www.arm.linux.org.uk/personal/aboutme.html