SDK/Docs/1.2/Setting up netbook

Latest revision as of 10:21, 24 May 2011

This page explains how to prepare a netbook so it can be used as a deployment target for MeeGo development.

If you don't have access to a netbook which can run MeeGo, you can use QEMU or Xephyr as a deployment target instead:

• Using a QEMU runtime
• Using Xephyr for development (Linux only)

Preparing the netbook

First you need to install MeeGo on the netbook. Instructions are available here.

You will need a working network connection on the netbook, to make it accessible to the development host machine.

Next, add some extra packages and configuration so you can deploy to the netbook from Qt Creator. The following steps require a command line on the netbook; this is available from the Applications zone, under System Tools > Terminal.

On the command line:

1. Deployment from Qt Creator to a netbook uses SSH for file copying, so you need OpenSSH server on the device. It should be available with a default netbook image; if it's not, install it with:

   sudo zypper install openssh-server

   Then start the SSH server manually (you'll need to do this just after you've installed it, otherwise it won't be available until you reboot):

   sudo /etc/init.d/sshd start

   And add it to the init sequence so it starts at boot time:

   sudo chkconfig --add sshd

2. Qt Creator also needs the mad-developer package to be installed on the target device. This enables access to the device for deploying applications:

   sudo zypper install mad-developer

3. If you want to debug applications remotely, you need gdbserver on the netbook. If not available, install it with:

   sudo zypper install gdb-gdbserver

4. The root user needs to be able to access the X server on the netbook. Configure this with:

   xhost +SI:localuser:root

   You will need to do this each time you want to use the netbook as a deployment target (i.e. each time you reboot it).

The netbook should now be ready for work as a deployment target. See the hello world for an example of how to deploy to the netbook from Qt Creator.

Configuring device access in Qt Creator

To configure device access:

1. Open Tools > Options > Projects > MeeGo Device Configurations.
2. Create a new Device Configuration by clicking on Add.
3. Give the new Device Configuration a name in the Configuration Name text field, and add the following settings in the other test fields:
   • Device type: Remote device
   • Authentication type: select Password
   • Host Name: <device IP address>
   • SSH Port: 22
   • Free ports: 10000-10100

     These will be used to connect Qt Creator to the gdb debugging server.

     Note: If some ports in this range are not free, select a different range.

   • Connection Timeout: 30
   • Username: root
   • Password: meego
4. Click Apply.
5. To test the settings, click Test.

   The message "Device configuration okay" is displayed in Device Configuration Test window.

6. Click Close and OK.

If the message "Could not connect to host" is displayed, check your setting selections and make sure that the network is connected.