Getting Started with VxWorks 7 on QEMU: Step-by-Step Guide #
Running VxWorks on real hardware isn’t always convenient — development boards can be costly, and setting up hardware debugging takes time. Fortunately, with QEMU (Quick EMUlator), you can emulate a supported platform and start experimenting with VxWorks 7 on your laptop.
In this guide, we’ll walk step-by-step through setting up QEMU for VxWorks development, so you can get hands-on quickly without hardware.
Why Use QEMU for VxWorks? #
- Cost-effective: No physical hardware required.
- Faster iteration: Debug, reboot, and test configurations quickly.
- Learning-friendly: Great for training, experimenting with drivers, or exploring BSPs.
- Portable: Run the same environment across Windows, Linux, or macOS.
Prerequisites #
Before starting, make sure you have:
- Host System: Linux (Ubuntu recommended) or Windows with WSL2.
- QEMU installed (v7.0 or newer preferred).
- VxWorks 7 Development Kit (SDK) from Wind River.
- Basic knowledge of RTOS concepts and command-line usage.
Step 1: Install QEMU #
On Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install qemu-system-arm qemu-system-x86 qemu-utils
On Fedora:
sudo dnf install qemu qemu-system-arm qemu-system-x86
On macOS (with Homebrew):
brew install qemu
Verify installation:
qemu-system-arm --version
Step 2: Prepare VxWorks Bootable Image #
From your VxWorks 7 SDK, you’ll need to build or locate the appropriate boot image for QEMU.
Typical file formats include:
vxWorks(kernel image)vxWorks.st(bootable image with symbol table)bootrom(for some targets)
For ARM emulation, copy the vxWorks image into your working directory.
Step 3: Launch VxWorks in QEMU #
Run QEMU with the right machine type. For example, to emulate an ARM VersatilePB board:
qemu-system-arm -M versatilepb -kernel vxWorks -nographic -append "console=ttyAMA0"
Explanation:
-M versatilepb→ Emulates the ARM VersatilePB board.-kernel vxWorks→ Loads the VxWorks kernel image.-nographic→ Runs in console mode (no GUI).-append "console=ttyAMA0"→ Redirects output to serial console.
If everything works, you should see the VxWorks boot console in your terminal. 🎉
Step 4: Interact with the VxWorks Shell #
Once booted, you’ll drop into the VxWorks kernel shell (C-interpreter). Try a few commands:
-> i
Shows active tasks.
-> sp(taskDelay, 100)
Spawns a new task that delays.
-> version
Displays the VxWorks version running inside QEMU.
Step 5: Enable Networking (Optional) #
QEMU supports virtual networking so you can test TCP/IP inside VxWorks. Example:
qemu-system-arm -M versatilepb -kernel vxWorks -net nic -net user -nographic
Inside VxWorks, configure the interface:
-> ifconfig "fei0", "inet 192.168.0.10", "up"
-> ping "192.168.0.1"
This allows testing sockets, servers, and client applications — all within emulation.
Common Issues & Fixes #
- QEMU freezes on boot → Ensure you’re using a board type (
-M) supported by your VxWorks BSP. - No console output → Add
-serial mon:stdioto force console redirection. - Image not loading → Verify the image matches the emulated board (ARM vs x86).
Next Steps #
Now that you have VxWorks running in QEMU, you can:
- Explore task scheduling and memory management.
- Experiment with custom BSPs.
- Test drivers and networking without hardware.
- Prepare for deployment to physical boards with minimal changes.
Final Thoughts #
Running VxWorks 7 on QEMU is a powerful way to learn, prototype, and test without depending on hardware. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced embedded engineer, QEMU provides a flexible sandbox to explore the world of real-time operating systems.
👉 In future tutorials, we’ll dive deeper into BSP customization, device drivers, and performance testing on QEMU.