Putting a Slug to Work

In this article, the authors explore various uses of inexpensive embedded Linux devices such as the Linksys NSLU2 ("slug"). Embedded computing is a topic of growing interest. Although novel architectures such as cell processors, graphics processors (GPUs), and FPGAs are growing in popularity, conventional microproessor designs such as Intel's Xscale (ARM) and Atom pack a punch in a small footprint, not to mention being widely supported by commodity operating system and development tools. We're convinced that this entire space is a tool worth keeping in the scientific programmer's and software developer's toolchests.