Qt

Connecting Embedded Linux Devices

You can connect embedded Linux devices to the development PC to build, run, debug, and analyze applications on them from Qt Creator.

If you have a tool chain for building applications for embedded Linux devices (with no MADDE support) installed on the development PC, you can add it to Qt Creator. You can then select a kit with Embedded Linux device type to build and run applications on embedded Linux devices.

To be able to run and debug applications on embedded Linux devices, you must add devices and select them in the Qt Creator kit.

You use a wizard to create the connections. You can edit the settings later in Tools > Options > Devices.

"Devices dialog"

You can protect the connections between Qt Creator and a device by using either a password or an SSH key. If you do not have an SSH key, you can create it in Qt Creator. For more information, see Generating SSH Keys.

To configure connections between Qt Creator and an embedded Linux device and to specify build and run settings for the device:

  1. Make sure that your device can be reached via an IP address.
  2. Select Tools > Options > Build & Run > Qt Versions > Add to add the Qt version for the embedded Linux.
  3. Select Tools > Options > Build & Run > Compilers > Add to add the compiler for building the applications.
  4. To deploy applications and run them remotely on devices, specify parameters for accessing the devices:
    1. Select Tools > Options > Devices > Add > Generic Linux Device > Start Wizard.

      "Connection Data wizard"

    2. In the The name to identify this configuration field, enter a name for the connection.
    3. In the The device's host name or IP address field, enter the host name or IP address of the device.
    4. In the The user name to log into the device field, enter the user name to log into the device and run the application as.
    5. In the The authentication type field, select whether to use Password or Key authentication, and enter the user's password or the file that contains the user's private key.
    6. Click Next to create the connection.
  5. Select Tools > Options > Build & Run > Kits > Add to add a kit for building for the device. Select the Qt version, compiler, and device that you added above, and choose Generic Linux Device for the device type.
  6. To specify build settings:
    1. Open a project for an application you want to develop for the device.
    2. Select Projects > Build & Run > Add Kit to add the kit that you specified above.
  7. Select Run to specify run settings.

    "Run settings for embedded Linux devices"

    Usually, you can use the default settings.

    When you run the project, Qt Creator deploys the application as specified by the deploy steps. By default, Qt Creator copies the application files to the device. For more information, see Deploying Applications to Linux-Based Devices.