Welcome to the 31st issue of TMPDIR, a weekly newsletter covering Embedded Linux, IoT systems, and technology in general. Subscribe to future issues at https://tinyletter.com/tmpdir and pass it on to anyone else you think might be interested. Please send any tips or feedback to info@tmpdir.org.

Linux

Systemd is getting a system updater

The next systemd release 251 is in the RC stages. Among many interesting features is a tool called systemd-sysupdate. This can do file, directory, or partition based updates using an A/B scheme. This is interesting given that there are multiple solutions in place to update systems today -- especially embedded Linux systems -- e.g. RAUC, Swupdate, Mender to name a few. This will be interesting option since systemd is shipped as default init system in many embedded Linux systems, it could offer another integrated solution to solve the update issue.

Yoe Distribution 2022.03 - "Orkney" Released

A New release of the Yoe Distribution is available for use. This release comes with the new Clang 14.0.0 release, PEP-517 packaging fixes and many other major changes. This release also aligns well with Yocto Kirkstone (3.5) release.

Content Addressable Data Synchronizer

We have been investigating delta updates for the Yoe Distribution as an enhancement to current Yoe system updater and many technologies are interesting, especially casync, which has multiple implementations as described here Some existing updaters like RAUC already provide options to use casync. There is desysnc which is a casync implementation in Go and is used in the Valve Steam Deck along with RAUC.

IoT

Simple IoT v0.0.44 is released

  • UI: fix bug where copy node crashes UI if not on secure URL or localhost (#341)
  • support clone/duplicate node (as well as mirror) operation (#312). Now when you copy and paste a node, you will be presented with a list of options as shown below. The new duplicate option allows you to easily replicate complex setups (for instance a bunch of modbus points) from an existing site to a new site.

copy options

See documenation or a demo video for more information.

Other

A blog post detailing the real world challenges of business contracts and presents some interesting alternatives to a legal arms race based on based on fostering collaboration and building trust.

Tips for combatting binge watching/reading

Quote for the week

"The most damaging phrase in the language is.. it's always been done this way" - Grace Hopper

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Thanks for reading!

Khem and Cliff