This guide walks you through building and deploying the Python runtime in Wind River VxWorks 7.
Overview #
VxWorks is a real-time operating system (RTOS) developed by Wind River. Python is a widely-used open-source programming language maintained by the Python Software Foundation.
Wind River provides Python support for PowerPC, ARM, and Intel architectures.
Prerequisites #
Ensure you have the following before starting:
- Wind River VxWorks 7 SR0620
- Intel target with UEFI BIOS boot support
- USB flash drive (minimum 4 GB)
Step 1: Create and Build the VSB (VxWorks Source Build) Project #
Open a DOS shell and set up your environment:
cd <WIND_HOME> # Your VxWorks installation directory
wrenv -p vxworks-7
cd <YOUR_WORKSPACE> # Your workspace directory
vxprj vsb create python_vsb -bsp itl_generic -smp -force -S
cd python_vsb
vxprj vsb add PYTHON # Add the Python layer
make -j 32 # Build the VSB
After the build, verify that the Python runtime exists:
<YOUR_WORKSPACE>/python_vsb/usr/3pp/deploy
Step 2: Create and Build the VIP (VxWorks Image Project) #
Now create the VIP:
cd ..
vxprj create -smp itl_generic python_vip -profile PROFILE_INTEL_GENERIC -vsb python_vsb
cd python_vip
vxprj vip component add INCLUDE_MULTI_STAGE_WARM_REBOOT
vxprj vip bundle add BUNDLE_STANDALONE_SHELL
vxprj parameter set DOSFS_COMPAT_NT TRUE
vxprj build
Note: At this stage, Python support has not yet been added to the image.
Step 3: Boot VxWorks on the Target #
Deploy the Bootloader and Kernel #
Follow the itl_generic BSP readme for bootloader deployment:
<WIND_HOME>/vxworks-7/pkgs_v2/os/board/intel/itl_generic-a.b.c.d/itl_generic_readme.md
Files expected on USB:
- EFI/
- BOOT/
- bootapp.sys
- BOOTIA32.EFI
- BOOTX64.EFI
Prepare the Target #
- Configure BIOS to boot from USB.
- Insert the USB flash drive.
- Power on the target to enter the kernel shell:
->
Step 4: Identify the USB Device in VxWorks #
Run the following:
-> devs
-> cd "/bd0a"
-> ls
Note the USB device path (e.g., /bd0a). Power off and return the USB drive to your workstation.
Step 5: Copy Python Runtime to USB #
Copy this directory to the root of the USB drive:
<YOUR_WORKSPACE>/python_vsb/usr/3pp/deploy
Step 6: Add Python to the VxWorks Image #
Return to your VIP project and configure Python support:
cd <YOUR_WORKSPACE>/python_vip
vxprj component add INCLUDE_PYTHON_SUPPORT
vxprj component add INCLUDE_FILESYSTEM_SYMLINK_CONFIG
vxprj parameter setstring FILESYSTEM_SYMLINK_CONFIG_STR "<def>=/bd0a/deploy;/bin=<def>/bin;/usr=<def>/usr;/etc=<def>/etc;/lib=<def>/lib;"
vxprj build
Step 7: Update the Boot Image #
Copy the new VxWorks image to your USB drive:
<YOUR_WORKSPACE>/python_vip/default/vxWorks → EFI/BOOT/bootapp.sys
Step 8: Create a Python Hello World Script #
Save the following as helloworld.py at the root of the USB flash drive:
# helloworld.py
import os
import sys
print("Hello World!")
Step 9: Run Python on the Target #
Reboot the target and run the script:
-> cd "/bd0a"
-> ls
-> cmd
[vxWorks *]# python3 helloworld.py
Launching process 'python3' ...
Process 'python3' (process Id = 0x809aa340) launched.
Hello World!
You may also run Python interactively:
[vxWorks *]# python3
Python 3.8.0 (default, Apr 27 2020)
>>> import os
>>> import sys
>>> print("Hello World!")
Hello World!
>>>
This completes the Python deployment process on a VxWorks 7 target.