FOSS Outreach Program for Women (OPW)

attachment:pinktux.png

Welcome OPW applicants! The Linux Foundation is sponsoring internships for women to work on the Linux kernel. The kernel is the most basic layer of the Linux operating system. It encompasses many things: hardware drivers, filesystems, security, task scheduling, and much more.

The official deadline for applying to OPW is May 1st. However, the kernel project joined late, so that deadline is flexible. Please fill our your [https://live.gnome.org/OutreachProgramForWomen#Application_Process initial application], and then update by May 17th with your initial patch. Applicants will be notified by May 27th if they have been accepted.

If you are interested in being a Linux kernel intern, please:

• Complete the [https://live.gnome.org/OutreachProgramForWomen#Application_Process application form]

• Join the [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/opw-kernel opw-kernel mailing list] and introduce yourself to the list

• Join the #opw IRC channel on irc.gnome.org
• Join the #kernel-opw IRC channel (coming soon)

Participating Linux kernel projects

Interns may switch between projects, depending on how much work each project provides. This will allow interns the opportunity to learn about multiple kernel subsystems. Mentors from all three projects will be participating in patch review, answering questions, and providing advice for interacting with the kernel community.

Applicants for all projects should have basic experience with C or C++. Optionally, we would love it if you have basic operating system knowledge, know your way around a Linux/UNIX command line, and/or know the revision system called git. Please note that these three skills can be learned during the internship.

Ethernet

[http://lh6.ggpht.com/_KnE2M8e3X8Q/S6z4IPztwSI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/7O7nJuT8deQ/s200/130659908_922e26a071_b.jpg]

The Linux kernel ethernet drivers communicate with network hardware, to give you access to the Internet. Ethernet devices can be as simple as the 1 gigabit ethernet controllers in your laptop, to much faster ethernet controllers in servers.

Interns would work on the Intel 1 gigabit ethernet driver, igb and/or ethtool, the networking configuration userspace application that works with the drivers. Wired ethernet devices supported by igb are found in some laptops and most servers, but hardware will be provided if you don't have access to it. What will be required is a PCIe slot to put the any hardware you need into and at least one other system (laptop is fine, as long as it has an RJ45 network drop) to use as a link partner and a network cable to link them.

Required skills: Experience with Linux network configuation and basic C programming stills

Optional but learnable skills: Knowledge of networking and networking features found in most ethernet devices.

Mentors: Carolyn Wyborny [:CarolynWyborny:(contact info)] Anjali Jain [:AnjaliJain:(contact info)]

USB

attachment:usb-sushi.jpg

The Linux kernel includes a USB stack that communicates with the hardware behind your USB ports (USB host controller drivers), and includes USB device drivers that talk to your USB devices (USB device drivers).

Interns would work on the USB 3.0 host controller driver. The Linux kernel USB 3.0 host driver works 10 times faster than USB 2.0 host driver. The USB 3.0 driver still needs a lot of work, so there are plenty of small bug fixes that interns can tackle. If time permits, interns could also work on small to medium features.

USB 3.0 hardware will be provided to accepted interns if you don't have access to it.

Required skills: Experience with manipulating linked lists in C, knowledge of basic boolean algrebra (bit masks and manipulating bits)

Optional but learnable skills: Knowledge of USB or other low-level busses

Mentor: Sarah Sharp [:SarahSharp:(contact info)]

Suggested reading for accepted interns: [http://lwn.net/Kernel/LDD3/ Linux Device Drivers] and [http://www.beyondlogic.org/usbnutshell/usb1.shtml USB in a Nutshell]

x86 core

attachment:tux-hardware.jpg

In the heart of the Linux kernel is code that runs directly on x86 processors. This includes early boot code, etc.

This part of the kernel is usually considered one of the more complex areas of the operating system. However, with a bit of guidance, it's really fascinating to see how a computer begins the journey from powered off to a blinking cursor at your login prompt.

Interns would work alongside PJ on central boot code in the Linux kernel. Today, the kernel brings CPU's online one by one in a serial fashion. We can do better. Several stages of changes are planned to go from a completely serial approach to a fully parallel approach to bringing CPU's up. Interns would work on some of these planned changes.

Required skills: Knowledge of how to use and manipulate pointers and function pointers in C is a must.

Optional but learnable skills: Knowledge of computer architecture, x86 assembly

Mentors: Peter Waskiewicz Jr (PJ) [:PeterWaskiewicz:(contact info)]

Yeah, that sounds cool!

If you're interested in our Linux kernel projects, please read the guide to [:OPWfirstpatch:sending your first patch].

Creative Commons Photo Credits

[http://tux.crystalxp.net/ Pink Tux], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/pfly/130659908/ Ethernet], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/zopeuse/56910709/ Tux on Hardware]