diff --git a/arch/arm/src/armv7-m/Kconfig b/arch/arm/src/armv7-m/Kconfig
index 0652771567..404dce0753 100644
--- a/arch/arm/src/armv7-m/Kconfig
+++ b/arch/arm/src/armv7-m/Kconfig
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ config ARMV7M_STACKCHECK
 config ARMV7M_ITMSYSLOG
 	bool "ITM SYSLOG support"
 	default n
-	select ARCH_HAVE_SYSLOG
+	select ARCH_SYSLOG
 	select SYSLOG
 	---help---
 		Enable hooks to support ITM syslog output.  This requires additional
diff --git a/drivers/syslog/Kconfig b/drivers/syslog/Kconfig
index e8a426383a..9046b3d261 100644
--- a/drivers/syslog/Kconfig
+++ b/drivers/syslog/Kconfig
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ comment "System Logging"
 
 # Selected if the architecture has its own, built-in SYSLOGgin enabled
 
-config ARCH_HAVE_SYSLOG
+config ARCH_SYSLOG
 	bool
 	default n
 
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ if RAMLOG
 config RAMLOG_SYSLOG
 	bool "Use RAMLOG for SYSLOG"
 	default n
-	depends on SYSLOG && !ARCH_HAVE_SYSLOG
+	depends on SYSLOG && !ARCH_SYSLOG
 	---help---
 		Use the RAM logging device for the syslogging interface.  If this feature
 		is enabled (along with SYSLOG), then all debug output (only) will be re-directed
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ if SYSLOG
 config SYSLOG_CHAR
 	bool "System log character device support"
 	default y
-	depends on !ARCH_HAVE_SYSLOG
+	depends on !ARCH_SYSLOG
 	---help---
 		Enable the generic character device for the SYSLOG. The full path to the
 		SYSLOG device is provided by SYSLOG_DEVPATH. A valid character device (or
diff --git a/drivers/syslog/Make.defs b/drivers/syslog/Make.defs
index d736da5927..b9d04c2dec 100644
--- a/drivers/syslog/Make.defs
+++ b/drivers/syslog/Make.defs
@@ -39,6 +39,10 @@
 
 CSRCS += syslog_initialize.c vsyslog.c vlowsyslog.c syslogstream.c
 
+ifneq ($(CONFIG_ARCH_SYSLOG),y)
+  CSRCS += syslog_initialize.c
+endif
+
 # The note driver is hosted in this directory, but is not associated with
 # SYSLOGging
 
diff --git a/drivers/syslog/syslog_device.c b/drivers/syslog/syslog_device.c
index 360edc61af..bebc8f38e6 100644
--- a/drivers/syslog/syslog_device.c
+++ b/drivers/syslog/syslog_device.c
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@
 
 /* This enumeration represents the state of the SYSLOG device interface */
 
-enum syslog_state_e
+enum syslog_dev_state
 {
   SYSLOG_UNINITIALIZED = 0, /* SYSLOG has not been initialized */
   SYSLOG_INITIALIZING,      /* SYSLOG is being initialized */
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ enum syslog_state_e
 
 struct syslog_dev_s
 {
-  uint8_t     sl_state;     /* See enum syslog_state_e */
+  uint8_t     sl_state;     /* See enum syslog_dev_state */
   sem_t       sl_sem;       /* Enforces mutually exclusive access */
   pid_t       sl_holder;    /* PID of the thread that holds the semaphore */
   struct file sl_file;      /* The syslog file structure */
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ struct syslog_dev_s
 
 /* This is the device structure for the console or syslogging function. */
 
-static struct syslog_dev_s g_sysdev;
+static struct syslog_dev_s g_syslog_dev;
 static const uint8_t g_syscrlf[2] =
 {
   '\r', '\n'
@@ -112,25 +112,25 @@ static const uint8_t g_syscrlf[2] =
  ****************************************************************************/
 
 /****************************************************************************
- * Name: syslog_takesem
+ * Name: syslog_dev_takesem
  *
  * Description:
  *   Write to the syslog device
  *
  ****************************************************************************/
 
-static inline int syslog_takesem(void)
+static inline int syslog_dev_takesem(void)
 {
   pid_t me = getpid();
   int ret;
 
   /* Does this thread already hold the semaphore?  That could happen if
    * we wer called recursively, i.e., if the logic kicked off by
-   * syslog_write() where to generate more debug output.  Return an error
+   * syslog_dev_write() where to generate more debug output.  Return an error
    * in that case.
    */
 
-  if (g_sysdev.sl_holder == me)
+  if (g_syslog_dev.sl_holder == me)
     {
       /* Return an error (instead of deadlocking) */
 
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ static inline int syslog_takesem(void)
    * thread.  Wait for it to become available.
    */
 
-  ret = sem_wait(&g_sysdev.sl_sem);
+  ret = sem_wait(&g_syslog_dev.sl_sem);
   if (ret < 0)
     {
       return -get_errno();
@@ -151,53 +151,53 @@ static inline int syslog_takesem(void)
    * of the semaphore.
    */
 
-  g_sysdev.sl_holder = me;
+  g_syslog_dev.sl_holder = me;
   return OK;
 }
 
 /****************************************************************************
- * Name: syslog_givesem
+ * Name: syslog_dev_givesem
  *
  * Description:
  *   Write to the syslog device
  *
  ****************************************************************************/
 
-static inline void syslog_givesem(void)
+static inline void syslog_dev_givesem(void)
 {
 #ifdef CONFIG_DEBUG_ASSERTIONS
   pid_t me = getpid();
-  DEBUGASSERT(g_sysdev.sl_holder == me);
+  DEBUGASSERT(g_syslog_dev.sl_holder == me);
 #endif
 
   /* Relinquish the semaphore */
 
-  g_sysdev.sl_holder = NO_HOLDER;
-  sem_post(&g_sysdev.sl_sem);
+  g_syslog_dev.sl_holder = NO_HOLDER;
+  sem_post(&g_syslog_dev.sl_sem);
 }
 
 /****************************************************************************
- * Name: syslog_write
+ * Name: syslog_dev_write
  *
  * Description:
  *   Write to the syslog device
  *
  ****************************************************************************/
 
-static inline ssize_t syslog_write(FAR const void *buf, size_t nbytes)
+static inline ssize_t syslog_dev_write(FAR const void *buf, size_t nbytes)
 {
   FAR struct inode *inode;
 
   /* Let the driver perform the write */
 
-  inode = g_sysdev.sl_file.f_inode;
+  inode = g_syslog_dev.sl_file.f_inode;
   DEBUGASSERT(inode != NULL);
 
-  return inode->u.i_ops->write(&g_sysdev.sl_file, buf, nbytes);
+  return inode->u.i_ops->write(&g_syslog_dev.sl_file, buf, nbytes);
 }
 
 /****************************************************************************
- * Name: syslog_flush
+ * Name: syslog_dev_flush
  *
  * Description:
  *   Flush any buffer data in the file system to media.
@@ -205,9 +205,9 @@ static inline ssize_t syslog_write(FAR const void *buf, size_t nbytes)
  ****************************************************************************/
 
 #ifndef CONFIG_DISABLE_MOUNTPOINT
-static inline void syslog_flush(void)
+static inline void syslog_dev_flush(void)
 {
-  FAR struct inode *inode = g_sysdev.sl_file.f_inode;
+  FAR struct inode *inode = g_syslog_dev.sl_file.f_inode;
 
   /* Is this a mountpoint? Does it support the sync method? */
 
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ static inline void syslog_flush(void)
     {
       /* Yes... synchronize to the stream */
 
-      (void)inode->u.i_mops->sync(&g_sysdev.sl_file);
+      (void)inode->u.i_mops->sync(&g_syslog_dev.sl_file);
     }
 }
 #endif
@@ -259,10 +259,10 @@ int syslog_dev_initialize(void)
    * SYSLOG_REOPEN..  Not SYSLOG_INITIALIZING, SYSLOG_FAILURE, SYSLOG_OPENED.
    */
 
-  DEBUGASSERT(g_sysdev.sl_state == SYSLOG_UNINITIALIZED ||
-              g_sysdev.sl_state == SYSLOG_REOPEN);
+  DEBUGASSERT(g_syslog_dev.sl_state == SYSLOG_UNINITIALIZED ||
+              g_syslog_dev.sl_state == SYSLOG_REOPEN);
 
-  g_sysdev.sl_state = SYSLOG_INITIALIZING;
+  g_syslog_dev.sl_state = SYSLOG_INITIALIZING;
 
   /* Open the device driver. */
 
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ int syslog_dev_initialize(void)
        * not yet been installed.
        */
 
-      g_sysdev.sl_state = SYSLOG_REOPEN;
+      g_syslog_dev.sl_state = SYSLOG_REOPEN;
       return -errcode;
     }
 
@@ -291,23 +291,23 @@ int syslog_dev_initialize(void)
    * descriptor allows us to use the device on all threads in all tasks.
    */
 
-  ret = file_detach(fd, &g_sysdev.sl_file);
+  ret = file_detach(fd, &g_syslog_dev.sl_file);
   if (ret < 0)
     {
       /* This should not happen and means that something very bad has
        * occurred.
        */
 
-      g_sysdev.sl_state = SYSLOG_FAILURE;
+      g_syslog_dev.sl_state = SYSLOG_FAILURE;
       close(fd);
       return ret;
     }
 
   /* The SYSLOG device is open and ready for writing. */
 
-  sem_init(&g_sysdev.sl_sem, 0, 1);
-  g_sysdev.sl_holder = NO_HOLDER;
-  g_sysdev.sl_state  = SYSLOG_OPENED;
+  sem_init(&g_syslog_dev.sl_sem, 0, 1);
+  g_syslog_dev.sl_holder = NO_HOLDER;
+  g_syslog_dev.sl_state  = SYSLOG_OPENED;
   return OK;
 }
 
@@ -368,12 +368,12 @@ int syslog_putc(int ch)
    * has been successfully opened.
    */
 
-  if (g_sysdev.sl_state != SYSLOG_OPENED)
+  if (g_syslog_dev.sl_state != SYSLOG_OPENED)
     {
       /* Case (1) and (2) */
 
-      if (g_sysdev.sl_state == SYSLOG_UNINITIALIZED ||
-          g_sysdev.sl_state == SYSLOG_INITIALIZING)
+      if (g_syslog_dev.sl_state == SYSLOG_UNINITIALIZED ||
+          g_syslog_dev.sl_state == SYSLOG_INITIALIZING)
        {
          errcode = EAGAIN; /* Can't access the SYSLOG now... maybe next time? */
          goto errout_with_errcode;
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ int syslog_putc(int ch)
 
       /* Case (6) */
 
-      if (g_sysdev.sl_state == SYSLOG_FAILURE)
+      if (g_syslog_dev.sl_state == SYSLOG_FAILURE)
         {
           errcode = ENXIO;  /* There is no SYSLOG device */
           goto errout_with_errcode;
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ int syslog_putc(int ch)
        */
 
       sched_lock();
-      if (g_sysdev.sl_state == SYSLOG_REOPEN)
+      if (g_syslog_dev.sl_state == SYSLOG_REOPEN)
         {
           /* Try again to initialize the device.  We may do this repeatedly
            * because the log device might be something that was not ready
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ int syslog_putc(int ch)
         }
 
       sched_unlock();
-      DEBUGASSERT(g_sysdev.sl_state == SYSLOG_OPENED);
+      DEBUGASSERT(g_syslog_dev.sl_state == SYSLOG_OPENED);
     }
 
   /* Ignore carriage returns */
@@ -432,11 +432,11 @@ int syslog_putc(int ch)
    * value to write.
    */
 
-  ret = syslog_takesem();
+  ret = syslog_dev_takesem();
   if (ret < 0)
     {
       /* We probably already hold the semaphore and were probably
-       * re-entered by the logic kicked off by syslog_write().
+       * re-entered by the logic kicked off by syslog_dev_write().
        * We might also have been interrupted by a signal.  Either
        * way, we are outta here.
        */
@@ -451,7 +451,7 @@ int syslog_putc(int ch)
     {
       /* Write the CR-LF sequence */
 
-      nbytes = syslog_write(g_syscrlf, 2);
+      nbytes = syslog_dev_write(g_syscrlf, 2);
 
       /* Synchronize the file when each CR-LF is encountered (i.e.,
        * implements line buffering always).
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ int syslog_putc(int ch)
 #ifndef CONFIG_DISABLE_MOUNTPOINT
       if (nbytes > 0)
         {
-          syslog_flush();
+          syslog_dev_flush();
         }
 #endif
     }
@@ -469,10 +469,10 @@ int syslog_putc(int ch)
       /* Write the non-newline character (and don't flush) */
 
       uch = (uint8_t)ch;
-      nbytes = syslog_write(&uch, 1);
+      nbytes = syslog_dev_write(&uch, 1);
     }
 
-  syslog_givesem();
+  syslog_dev_givesem();
 
   /* Check if the write was successful.  If not, nbytes will be
    * a negated errno value.
diff --git a/drivers/syslog/syslog_initialize.c b/drivers/syslog/syslog_initialize.c
index 7c4956c6af..21bf757464 100644
--- a/drivers/syslog/syslog_initialize.c
+++ b/drivers/syslog/syslog_initialize.c
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@
 
 #include "syslog.h"
 
+#ifndef CONFIG_ARCH_SYSLOG
+
 /****************************************************************************
  * Public Functions
  ****************************************************************************/
@@ -54,10 +56,19 @@
  *
  * Description:
  *   One power up, the SYSLOG facility is non-existent or limited to very
- *   low-level output.  This function is called later in the intialization
+ *   low-level output.  This function is called later in the initialization
  *   sequence after full driver support has been initialized.  It installs
  *   the configured SYSLOG drivers and enables full SYSLOGing capability.
  *
+ *   This function performs these basic operations:
+ *
+ *   - Initialize the SYSLOG device
+ *   - Call syslog_channel() to begin using that device.
+ *
+ *   If CONFIG_ARCH_SYSLOG is selected, then the architecture-specifica
+ *   logic will provide its own SYSLOG device initialize which must include
+ *   as a minimum a call to syslog_channel() to use the device.
+ *
  * Input Parameters:
  *   None
  *
@@ -92,3 +103,5 @@ int syslog_initialize(void)
 
   return ret;
 }
+
+#endif /* CONFIG_ARCH_SYSLOG */
diff --git a/include/nuttx/syslog/syslog.h b/include/nuttx/syslog/syslog.h
index e9572ba790..c18a714676 100644
--- a/include/nuttx/syslog/syslog.h
+++ b/include/nuttx/syslog/syslog.h
@@ -97,15 +97,25 @@ extern "C"
 /****************************************************************************
  * Public Function Prototypes
  ****************************************************************************/
+
 /****************************************************************************
  * Name: syslog_initialize
  *
  * Description:
  *   One power up, the SYSLOG facility is non-existent or limited to very
- *   low-level output.  This function is called later in the intialization
+ *   low-level output.  This function is called later in the initialization
  *   sequence after full driver support has been initialized.  It installs
  *   the configured SYSLOG drivers and enables full SYSLOGing capability.
  *
+ *   This function performs these basic operations:
+ *
+ *   - Initialize the SYSLOG device
+ *   - Call syslog_channel() to begin using that device.
+ *
+ *   If CONFIG_ARCH_SYSLOG is selected, then the architecture-specifica
+ *   logic will provide its own SYSLOG device initialize which must include
+ *   as a minimum a call to syslog_channel() to use the device.
+ *
  * Input Parameters:
  *   None
  *
@@ -115,7 +125,11 @@ extern "C"
  *
  ****************************************************************************/
 
+#ifndef CONFIG_ARCH_SYSLOG
 int syslog_initialize(void);
+#else
+#  define syslog_initialize()
+#endif
 
 /****************************************************************************
  * Name: syslog_putc