Conference helix::vxworks

    You didn't provide a budget.  That will dictate everything.

    Nevertheless, and with my Digital ERT flag waving, I'd suggest Alpha
    VME SBCs or the Alpha DMCCs as the realtime target(s).  They are both
    popular formfactors now (with a third being CompactPCI, but we have no
    product [yet]). I wouldn't recommend the AXPpci mainly because
    they're based on the 21066/68 which is idiosynchratic and long
    obsolete.  I'd be afraid they would set a less than complimentary taint
    for the next generation of realtime programmers.  They are cheap
    though! 

    For hosts, I'd recommend the  Digital Personal Workstation like the
    433A or 500A running Digital UNIX (come this summer sometime) or buy
    the soon-to-be EOL AlphaStation 255/300 at "fire-sale" prices.  You
    could also put a DMCC or VME box together as a host -- a good
    "configuration" exercise for students. 

    For "hard" realtime software on Alpha from Digital, there isn't much
    choice.  It's WindRiver, in spite of our relationship.  It's popular. 
    Skills learned would be in demand based on its popularity.

    You also might consider targets running "diskless" UNIX.  Programming
    in POSIX 1003.1b (realtime) and with sufficient memory to not page
    provides very fast (almost hard) response and all the tools and
    facilities of a mature, fully featured OS that students might need.

    With my Alpha hat off, you might look at the tools available for
    StrongARM.  If you search Altavista you will start to find all kinds of
    software (including realtime), eval.boards, etc. for "embedded" (which
    is often realtime) environments.  Search for ARM and well as StrongARM. 
    There is a lot out there.
    
    --Steve
    

    PWSa running UNIX should be orderable now, announced real soon. Beware
    the interesting slot restrictions if you intend to add anything in.
    
    As well as VxWorks, I hear that uCOS is also available if you want a
    real low-end kernel. Software free, makes money by selling the book.
    Depending on whether teacher wants to teach "how to use" or "how they
    work" this might be appropriate.
    
    regards
    john

    I guess I agree with most of what Steve said.
    
>    1. Would you suggest to go forward considering the DEC/Wind River
>       relations ?
    
    There's been some good news on this front lately. It looks like
    there'll be a Tornado release for Alpha this year. See note 276.1 for
    more information.
    
    M

>                           -< uCOS too (reportedly) >-
>
>    As well as VxWorks, I hear that uCOS is also available if you want a
>    real low-end kernel. Software free, makes money by selling the book.
>    Depending on whether teacher wants to teach "how to use" or "how they
>    work" this might be appropriate.
>    

Is there any special pricing of VxWorks for education (it is listed as 
"Royalty" in the DECcampus list).

Re uCOS: can you say few words about it? I can see in 
		ftp://ftp.cygnus.com/pub/embedded/ucos
That it has an Alpha port. What targets does it support? Is it widely
used by students (I graduated on '81, so...)? Do you recommend it for 
non-commercial use?

Thx,
Yossi.

    Sorry Yossi, I don't know much more than I've already said. I have one
    ex-VxWorks customer (joint academic/CERN project) who is using it. They
    seem happy, especially as the price fits their budget.
    
    regards
    john

    I'm sure special pricing of VxWorks can be arranged for an educational
    institution -- especially if it includes some hardware. Send mail to
    HELIX::REALTIME and we'll put you in touch with a Product Manager.
    
    M