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author | André Fabian Silva Delgado <emulatorman@parabola.nu> | 2015-08-05 17:04:01 -0300 |
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committer | André Fabian Silva Delgado <emulatorman@parabola.nu> | 2015-08-05 17:04:01 -0300 |
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tree | 5e910f0e82173f4ef4f51111366a3f1299037a7b /Documentation/DocBook/kgdb.tmpl |
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diff --git a/Documentation/DocBook/kgdb.tmpl b/Documentation/DocBook/kgdb.tmpl new file mode 100644 index 000000000..f3abca7ec --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/DocBook/kgdb.tmpl @@ -0,0 +1,918 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> +<!DOCTYPE book PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook XML V4.1.2//EN" + "http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/xml/4.1.2/docbookx.dtd" []> + +<book id="kgdbOnLinux"> + <bookinfo> + <title>Using kgdb, kdb and the kernel debugger internals</title> + + <authorgroup> + <author> + <firstname>Jason</firstname> + <surname>Wessel</surname> + <affiliation> + <address> + <email>jason.wessel@windriver.com</email> + </address> + </affiliation> + </author> + </authorgroup> + <copyright> + <year>2008,2010</year> + <holder>Wind River Systems, Inc.</holder> + </copyright> + <copyright> + <year>2004-2005</year> + <holder>MontaVista Software, Inc.</holder> + </copyright> + <copyright> + <year>2004</year> + <holder>Amit S. Kale</holder> + </copyright> + + <legalnotice> + <para> + This file is licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License + version 2. This program is licensed "as is" without any warranty of any + kind, whether express or implied. + </para> + + </legalnotice> + </bookinfo> + +<toc></toc> + <chapter id="Introduction"> + <title>Introduction</title> + <para> + The kernel has two different debugger front ends (kdb and kgdb) + which interface to the debug core. It is possible to use either + of the debugger front ends and dynamically transition between them + if you configure the kernel properly at compile and runtime. + </para> + <para> + Kdb is simplistic shell-style interface which you can use on a + system console with a keyboard or serial console. You can use it + to inspect memory, registers, process lists, dmesg, and even set + breakpoints to stop in a certain location. Kdb is not a source + level debugger, although you can set breakpoints and execute some + basic kernel run control. Kdb is mainly aimed at doing some + analysis to aid in development or diagnosing kernel problems. You + can access some symbols by name in kernel built-ins or in kernel + modules if the code was built + with <symbol>CONFIG_KALLSYMS</symbol>. + </para> + <para> + Kgdb is intended to be used as a source level debugger for the + Linux kernel. It is used along with gdb to debug a Linux kernel. + The expectation is that gdb can be used to "break in" to the + kernel to inspect memory, variables and look through call stack + information similar to the way an application developer would use + gdb to debug an application. It is possible to place breakpoints + in kernel code and perform some limited execution stepping. + </para> + <para> + Two machines are required for using kgdb. One of these machines is + a development machine and the other is the target machine. The + kernel to be debugged runs on the target machine. The development + machine runs an instance of gdb against the vmlinux file which + contains the symbols (not a boot image such as bzImage, zImage, + uImage...). In gdb the developer specifies the connection + parameters and connects to kgdb. The type of connection a + developer makes with gdb depends on the availability of kgdb I/O + modules compiled as built-ins or loadable kernel modules in the test + machine's kernel. + </para> + </chapter> + <chapter id="CompilingAKernel"> + <title>Compiling a kernel</title> + <para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>In order to enable compilation of kdb, you must first enable kgdb.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>The kgdb test compile options are described in the kgdb test suite chapter.</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + <sect1 id="CompileKGDB"> + <title>Kernel config options for kgdb</title> + <para> + To enable <symbol>CONFIG_KGDB</symbol> you should look under + "Kernel hacking" / "Kernel debugging" and select "KGDB: kernel debugger". + </para> + <para> + While it is not a hard requirement that you have symbols in your + vmlinux file, gdb tends not to be very useful without the symbolic + data, so you will want to turn + on <symbol>CONFIG_DEBUG_INFO</symbol> which is called "Compile the + kernel with debug info" in the config menu. + </para> + <para> + It is advised, but not required, that you turn on the + <symbol>CONFIG_FRAME_POINTER</symbol> kernel option which is called "Compile the + kernel with frame pointers" in the config menu. This option + inserts code to into the compiled executable which saves the frame + information in registers or on the stack at different points which + allows a debugger such as gdb to more accurately construct + stack back traces while debugging the kernel. + </para> + <para> + If the architecture that you are using supports the kernel option + CONFIG_DEBUG_RODATA, you should consider turning it off. This + option will prevent the use of software breakpoints because it + marks certain regions of the kernel's memory space as read-only. + If kgdb supports it for the architecture you are using, you can + use hardware breakpoints if you desire to run with the + CONFIG_DEBUG_RODATA option turned on, else you need to turn off + this option. + </para> + <para> + Next you should choose one of more I/O drivers to interconnect + debugging host and debugged target. Early boot debugging requires + a KGDB I/O driver that supports early debugging and the driver + must be built into the kernel directly. Kgdb I/O driver + configuration takes place via kernel or module parameters which + you can learn more about in the in the section that describes the + parameter "kgdboc". + </para> + <para>Here is an example set of .config symbols to enable or + disable for kgdb: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para># CONFIG_DEBUG_RODATA is not set</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>CONFIG_FRAME_POINTER=y</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>CONFIG_KGDB=y</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>CONFIG_KGDB_SERIAL_CONSOLE=y</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + </sect1> + <sect1 id="CompileKDB"> + <title>Kernel config options for kdb</title> + <para>Kdb is quite a bit more complex than the simple gdbstub + sitting on top of the kernel's debug core. Kdb must implement a + shell, and also adds some helper functions in other parts of the + kernel, responsible for printing out interesting data such as what + you would see if you ran "lsmod", or "ps". In order to build kdb + into the kernel you follow the same steps as you would for kgdb. + </para> + <para>The main config option for kdb + is <symbol>CONFIG_KGDB_KDB</symbol> which is called "KGDB_KDB: + include kdb frontend for kgdb" in the config menu. In theory you + would have already also selected an I/O driver such as the + CONFIG_KGDB_SERIAL_CONSOLE interface if you plan on using kdb on a + serial port, when you were configuring kgdb. + </para> + <para>If you want to use a PS/2-style keyboard with kdb, you would + select CONFIG_KDB_KEYBOARD which is called "KGDB_KDB: keyboard as + input device" in the config menu. The CONFIG_KDB_KEYBOARD option + is not used for anything in the gdb interface to kgdb. The + CONFIG_KDB_KEYBOARD option only works with kdb. + </para> + <para>Here is an example set of .config symbols to enable/disable kdb: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para># CONFIG_DEBUG_RODATA is not set</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>CONFIG_FRAME_POINTER=y</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>CONFIG_KGDB=y</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>CONFIG_KGDB_SERIAL_CONSOLE=y</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>CONFIG_KGDB_KDB=y</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>CONFIG_KDB_KEYBOARD=y</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + </sect1> + </chapter> + <chapter id="kgdbKernelArgs"> + <title>Kernel Debugger Boot Arguments</title> + <para>This section describes the various runtime kernel + parameters that affect the configuration of the kernel debugger. + The following chapter covers using kdb and kgdb as well as + providing some examples of the configuration parameters.</para> + <sect1 id="kgdboc"> + <title>Kernel parameter: kgdboc</title> + <para>The kgdboc driver was originally an abbreviation meant to + stand for "kgdb over console". Today it is the primary mechanism + to configure how to communicate from gdb to kgdb as well as the + devices you want to use to interact with the kdb shell. + </para> + <para>For kgdb/gdb, kgdboc is designed to work with a single serial + port. It is intended to cover the circumstance where you want to + use a serial console as your primary console as well as using it to + perform kernel debugging. It is also possible to use kgdb on a + serial port which is not designated as a system console. Kgdboc + may be configured as a kernel built-in or a kernel loadable module. + You can only make use of <constant>kgdbwait</constant> and early + debugging if you build kgdboc into the kernel as a built-in. + </para> + <para>Optionally you can elect to activate kms (Kernel Mode + Setting) integration. When you use kms with kgdboc and you have a + video driver that has atomic mode setting hooks, it is possible to + enter the debugger on the graphics console. When the kernel + execution is resumed, the previous graphics mode will be restored. + This integration can serve as a useful tool to aid in diagnosing + crashes or doing analysis of memory with kdb while allowing the + full graphics console applications to run. + </para> + <sect2 id="kgdbocArgs"> + <title>kgdboc arguments</title> + <para>Usage: <constant>kgdboc=[kms][[,]kbd][[,]serial_device][,baud]</constant></para> + <para>The order listed above must be observed if you use any of the + optional configurations together. + </para> + <para>Abbreviations: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>kms = Kernel Mode Setting</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>kbd = Keyboard</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + <para>You can configure kgdboc to use the keyboard, and/or a serial + device depending on if you are using kdb and/or kgdb, in one of the + following scenarios. The order listed above must be observed if + you use any of the optional configurations together. Using kms + + only gdb is generally not a useful combination.</para> + <sect3 id="kgdbocArgs1"> + <title>Using loadable module or built-in</title> + <para> + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para>As a kernel built-in:</para> + <para>Use the kernel boot argument: <constant>kgdboc=<tty-device>,[baud]</constant></para></listitem> + <listitem> + <para>As a kernel loadable module:</para> + <para>Use the command: <constant>modprobe kgdboc kgdboc=<tty-device>,[baud]</constant></para> + <para>Here are two examples of how you might format the kgdboc + string. The first is for an x86 target using the first serial port. + The second example is for the ARM Versatile AB using the second + serial port. + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para><constant>kgdboc=ttyS0,115200</constant></para></listitem> + <listitem><para><constant>kgdboc=ttyAMA1,115200</constant></para></listitem> + </orderedlist> + </para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist></para> + </sect3> + <sect3 id="kgdbocArgs2"> + <title>Configure kgdboc at runtime with sysfs</title> + <para>At run time you can enable or disable kgdboc by echoing a + parameters into the sysfs. Here are two examples:</para> + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para>Enable kgdboc on ttyS0</para> + <para><constant>echo ttyS0 > /sys/module/kgdboc/parameters/kgdboc</constant></para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Disable kgdboc</para> + <para><constant>echo "" > /sys/module/kgdboc/parameters/kgdboc</constant></para></listitem> + </orderedlist> + <para>NOTE: You do not need to specify the baud if you are + configuring the console on tty which is already configured or + open.</para> + </sect3> + <sect3 id="kgdbocArgs3"> + <title>More examples</title> + <para>You can configure kgdboc to use the keyboard, and/or a serial device + depending on if you are using kdb and/or kgdb, in one of the + following scenarios. + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para>kdb and kgdb over only a serial port</para> + <para><constant>kgdboc=<serial_device>[,baud]</constant></para> + <para>Example: <constant>kgdboc=ttyS0,115200</constant></para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>kdb and kgdb with keyboard and a serial port</para> + <para><constant>kgdboc=kbd,<serial_device>[,baud]</constant></para> + <para>Example: <constant>kgdboc=kbd,ttyS0,115200</constant></para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>kdb with a keyboard</para> + <para><constant>kgdboc=kbd</constant></para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>kdb with kernel mode setting</para> + <para><constant>kgdboc=kms,kbd</constant></para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>kdb with kernel mode setting and kgdb over a serial port</para> + <para><constant>kgdboc=kms,kbd,ttyS0,115200</constant></para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + </para> + <para>NOTE: Kgdboc does not support interrupting the target via the + gdb remote protocol. You must manually send a sysrq-g unless you + have a proxy that splits console output to a terminal program. + A console proxy has a separate TCP port for the debugger and a separate + TCP port for the "human" console. The proxy can take care of sending + the sysrq-g for you. + </para> + <para>When using kgdboc with no debugger proxy, you can end up + connecting the debugger at one of two entry points. If an + exception occurs after you have loaded kgdboc, a message should + print on the console stating it is waiting for the debugger. In + this case you disconnect your terminal program and then connect the + debugger in its place. If you want to interrupt the target system + and forcibly enter a debug session you have to issue a Sysrq + sequence and then type the letter <constant>g</constant>. Then + you disconnect the terminal session and connect gdb. Your options + if you don't like this are to hack gdb to send the sysrq-g for you + as well as on the initial connect, or to use a debugger proxy that + allows an unmodified gdb to do the debugging. + </para> + </sect3> + </sect2> + </sect1> + <sect1 id="kgdbwait"> + <title>Kernel parameter: kgdbwait</title> + <para> + The Kernel command line option <constant>kgdbwait</constant> makes + kgdb wait for a debugger connection during booting of a kernel. You + can only use this option if you compiled a kgdb I/O driver into the + kernel and you specified the I/O driver configuration as a kernel + command line option. The kgdbwait parameter should always follow the + configuration parameter for the kgdb I/O driver in the kernel + command line else the I/O driver will not be configured prior to + asking the kernel to use it to wait. + </para> + <para> + The kernel will stop and wait as early as the I/O driver and + architecture allows when you use this option. If you build the + kgdb I/O driver as a loadable kernel module kgdbwait will not do + anything. + </para> + </sect1> + <sect1 id="kgdbcon"> + <title>Kernel parameter: kgdbcon</title> + <para> The kgdbcon feature allows you to see printk() messages + inside gdb while gdb is connected to the kernel. Kdb does not make + use of the kgdbcon feature. + </para> + <para>Kgdb supports using the gdb serial protocol to send console + messages to the debugger when the debugger is connected and running. + There are two ways to activate this feature. + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para>Activate with the kernel command line option:</para> + <para><constant>kgdbcon</constant></para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>Use sysfs before configuring an I/O driver</para> + <para> + <constant>echo 1 > /sys/module/kgdb/parameters/kgdb_use_con</constant> + </para> + <para> + NOTE: If you do this after you configure the kgdb I/O driver, the + setting will not take effect until the next point the I/O is + reconfigured. + </para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + </para> + <para>IMPORTANT NOTE: You cannot use kgdboc + kgdbcon on a tty that is an + active system console. An example of incorrect usage is <constant>console=ttyS0,115200 kgdboc=ttyS0 kgdbcon</constant> + </para> + <para>It is possible to use this option with kgdboc on a tty that is not a system console. + </para> + </sect1> + <sect1 id="kgdbreboot"> + <title>Run time parameter: kgdbreboot</title> + <para> The kgdbreboot feature allows you to change how the debugger + deals with the reboot notification. You have 3 choices for the + behavior. The default behavior is always set to 0.</para> + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para>echo -1 > /sys/module/debug_core/parameters/kgdbreboot</para> + <para>Ignore the reboot notification entirely.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>echo 0 > /sys/module/debug_core/parameters/kgdbreboot</para> + <para>Send the detach message to any attached debugger client.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>echo 1 > /sys/module/debug_core/parameters/kgdbreboot</para> + <para>Enter the debugger on reboot notify.</para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + </sect1> + </chapter> + <chapter id="usingKDB"> + <title>Using kdb</title> + <para> + </para> + <sect1 id="quickKDBserial"> + <title>Quick start for kdb on a serial port</title> + <para>This is a quick example of how to use kdb.</para> + <para><orderedlist> + <listitem><para>Configure kgdboc at boot using kernel parameters: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para><constant>console=ttyS0,115200 kgdboc=ttyS0,115200</constant></para></listitem> + </itemizedlist></para> + <para>OR</para> + <para>Configure kgdboc after the kernel has booted; assuming you are using a serial port console: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para><constant>echo ttyS0 > /sys/module/kgdboc/parameters/kgdboc</constant></para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>Enter the kernel debugger manually or by waiting for an oops or fault. There are several ways you can enter the kernel debugger manually; all involve using the sysrq-g, which means you must have enabled CONFIG_MAGIC_SYSRQ=y in your kernel config.</para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>When logged in as root or with a super user session you can run:</para> + <para><constant>echo g > /proc/sysrq-trigger</constant></para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Example using minicom 2.2</para> + <para>Press: <constant>Control-a</constant></para> + <para>Press: <constant>f</constant></para> + <para>Press: <constant>g</constant></para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>When you have telneted to a terminal server that supports sending a remote break</para> + <para>Press: <constant>Control-]</constant></para> + <para>Type in:<constant>send break</constant></para> + <para>Press: <constant>Enter</constant></para> + <para>Press: <constant>g</constant></para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>From the kdb prompt you can run the "help" command to see a complete list of the commands that are available.</para> + <para>Some useful commands in kdb include: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>lsmod -- Shows where kernel modules are loaded</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>ps -- Displays only the active processes</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>ps A -- Shows all the processes</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>summary -- Shows kernel version info and memory usage</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>bt -- Get a backtrace of the current process using dump_stack()</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>dmesg -- View the kernel syslog buffer</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>go -- Continue the system</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>When you are done using kdb you need to consider rebooting the + system or using the "go" command to resuming normal kernel + execution. If you have paused the kernel for a lengthy period of + time, applications that rely on timely networking or anything to do + with real wall clock time could be adversely affected, so you + should take this into consideration when using the kernel + debugger.</para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist></para> + </sect1> + <sect1 id="quickKDBkeyboard"> + <title>Quick start for kdb using a keyboard connected console</title> + <para>This is a quick example of how to use kdb with a keyboard.</para> + <para><orderedlist> + <listitem><para>Configure kgdboc at boot using kernel parameters: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para><constant>kgdboc=kbd</constant></para></listitem> + </itemizedlist></para> + <para>OR</para> + <para>Configure kgdboc after the kernel has booted: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para><constant>echo kbd > /sys/module/kgdboc/parameters/kgdboc</constant></para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>Enter the kernel debugger manually or by waiting for an oops or fault. There are several ways you can enter the kernel debugger manually; all involve using the sysrq-g, which means you must have enabled CONFIG_MAGIC_SYSRQ=y in your kernel config.</para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>When logged in as root or with a super user session you can run:</para> + <para><constant>echo g > /proc/sysrq-trigger</constant></para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Example using a laptop keyboard</para> + <para>Press and hold down: <constant>Alt</constant></para> + <para>Press and hold down: <constant>Fn</constant></para> + <para>Press and release the key with the label: <constant>SysRq</constant></para> + <para>Release: <constant>Fn</constant></para> + <para>Press and release: <constant>g</constant></para> + <para>Release: <constant>Alt</constant></para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>Example using a PS/2 101-key keyboard</para> + <para>Press and hold down: <constant>Alt</constant></para> + <para>Press and release the key with the label: <constant>SysRq</constant></para> + <para>Press and release: <constant>g</constant></para> + <para>Release: <constant>Alt</constant></para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Now type in a kdb command such as "help", "dmesg", "bt" or "go" to continue kernel execution.</para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist></para> + </sect1> + </chapter> + <chapter id="EnableKGDB"> + <title>Using kgdb / gdb</title> + <para>In order to use kgdb you must activate it by passing + configuration information to one of the kgdb I/O drivers. If you + do not pass any configuration information kgdb will not do anything + at all. Kgdb will only actively hook up to the kernel trap hooks + if a kgdb I/O driver is loaded and configured. If you unconfigure + a kgdb I/O driver, kgdb will unregister all the kernel hook points. + </para> + <para> All kgdb I/O drivers can be reconfigured at run time, if + <symbol>CONFIG_SYSFS</symbol> and <symbol>CONFIG_MODULES</symbol> + are enabled, by echo'ing a new config string to + <constant>/sys/module/<driver>/parameter/<option></constant>. + The driver can be unconfigured by passing an empty string. You cannot + change the configuration while the debugger is attached. Make sure + to detach the debugger with the <constant>detach</constant> command + prior to trying to unconfigure a kgdb I/O driver. + </para> + <sect1 id="ConnectingGDB"> + <title>Connecting with gdb to a serial port</title> + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para>Configure kgdboc</para> + <para>Configure kgdboc at boot using kernel parameters: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para><constant>kgdboc=ttyS0,115200</constant></para></listitem> + </itemizedlist></para> + <para>OR</para> + <para>Configure kgdboc after the kernel has booted: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para><constant>echo ttyS0 > /sys/module/kgdboc/parameters/kgdboc</constant></para></listitem> + </itemizedlist></para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Stop kernel execution (break into the debugger)</para> + <para>In order to connect to gdb via kgdboc, the kernel must + first be stopped. There are several ways to stop the kernel which + include using kgdbwait as a boot argument, via a sysrq-g, or running + the kernel until it takes an exception where it waits for the + debugger to attach. + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>When logged in as root or with a super user session you can run:</para> + <para><constant>echo g > /proc/sysrq-trigger</constant></para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Example using minicom 2.2</para> + <para>Press: <constant>Control-a</constant></para> + <para>Press: <constant>f</constant></para> + <para>Press: <constant>g</constant></para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>When you have telneted to a terminal server that supports sending a remote break</para> + <para>Press: <constant>Control-]</constant></para> + <para>Type in:<constant>send break</constant></para> + <para>Press: <constant>Enter</constant></para> + <para>Press: <constant>g</constant></para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Connect from gdb</para> + <para> + Example (using a directly connected port): + </para> + <programlisting> + % gdb ./vmlinux + (gdb) set remotebaud 115200 + (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyS0 + </programlisting> + <para> + Example (kgdb to a terminal server on TCP port 2012): + </para> + <programlisting> + % gdb ./vmlinux + (gdb) target remote 192.168.2.2:2012 + </programlisting> + <para> + Once connected, you can debug a kernel the way you would debug an + application program. + </para> + <para> + If you are having problems connecting or something is going + seriously wrong while debugging, it will most often be the case + that you want to enable gdb to be verbose about its target + communications. You do this prior to issuing the <constant>target + remote</constant> command by typing in: <constant>set debug remote 1</constant> + </para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + <para>Remember if you continue in gdb, and need to "break in" again, + you need to issue an other sysrq-g. It is easy to create a simple + entry point by putting a breakpoint at <constant>sys_sync</constant> + and then you can run "sync" from a shell or script to break into the + debugger.</para> + </sect1> + </chapter> + <chapter id="switchKdbKgdb"> + <title>kgdb and kdb interoperability</title> + <para>It is possible to transition between kdb and kgdb dynamically. + The debug core will remember which you used the last time and + automatically start in the same mode.</para> + <sect1> + <title>Switching between kdb and kgdb</title> + <sect2> + <title>Switching from kgdb to kdb</title> + <para> + There are two ways to switch from kgdb to kdb: you can use gdb to + issue a maintenance packet, or you can blindly type the command $3#33. + Whenever the kernel debugger stops in kgdb mode it will print the + message <constant>KGDB or $3#33 for KDB</constant>. It is important + to note that you have to type the sequence correctly in one pass. + You cannot type a backspace or delete because kgdb will interpret + that as part of the debug stream. + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para>Change from kgdb to kdb by blindly typing:</para> + <para><constant>$3#33</constant></para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Change from kgdb to kdb with gdb</para> + <para><constant>maintenance packet 3</constant></para> + <para>NOTE: Now you must kill gdb. Typically you press control-z and + issue the command: kill -9 %</para></listitem> + </orderedlist> + </para> + </sect2> + <sect2> + <title>Change from kdb to kgdb</title> + <para>There are two ways you can change from kdb to kgdb. You can + manually enter kgdb mode by issuing the kgdb command from the kdb + shell prompt, or you can connect gdb while the kdb shell prompt is + active. The kdb shell looks for the typical first commands that gdb + would issue with the gdb remote protocol and if it sees one of those + commands it automatically changes into kgdb mode.</para> + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para>From kdb issue the command:</para> + <para><constant>kgdb</constant></para> + <para>Now disconnect your terminal program and connect gdb in its place</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>At the kdb prompt, disconnect the terminal program and connect gdb in its place.</para></listitem> + </orderedlist> + </sect2> + </sect1> + <sect1> + <title>Running kdb commands from gdb</title> + <para>It is possible to run a limited set of kdb commands from gdb, + using the gdb monitor command. You don't want to execute any of the + run control or breakpoint operations, because it can disrupt the + state of the kernel debugger. You should be using gdb for + breakpoints and run control operations if you have gdb connected. + The more useful commands to run are things like lsmod, dmesg, ps or + possibly some of the memory information commands. To see all the kdb + commands you can run <constant>monitor help</constant>.</para> + <para>Example: + <informalexample><programlisting> +(gdb) monitor ps +1 idle process (state I) and +27 sleeping system daemon (state M) processes suppressed, +use 'ps A' to see all. +Task Addr Pid Parent [*] cpu State Thread Command + +0xc78291d0 1 0 0 0 S 0xc7829404 init +0xc7954150 942 1 0 0 S 0xc7954384 dropbear +0xc78789c0 944 1 0 0 S 0xc7878bf4 sh +(gdb) + </programlisting></informalexample> + </para> + </sect1> + </chapter> + <chapter id="KGDBTestSuite"> + <title>kgdb Test Suite</title> + <para> + When kgdb is enabled in the kernel config you can also elect to + enable the config parameter KGDB_TESTS. Turning this on will + enable a special kgdb I/O module which is designed to test the + kgdb internal functions. + </para> + <para> + The kgdb tests are mainly intended for developers to test the kgdb + internals as well as a tool for developing a new kgdb architecture + specific implementation. These tests are not really for end users + of the Linux kernel. The primary source of documentation would be + to look in the drivers/misc/kgdbts.c file. + </para> + <para> + The kgdb test suite can also be configured at compile time to run + the core set of tests by setting the kernel config parameter + KGDB_TESTS_ON_BOOT. This particular option is aimed at automated + regression testing and does not require modifying the kernel boot + config arguments. If this is turned on, the kgdb test suite can + be disabled by specifying "kgdbts=" as a kernel boot argument. + </para> + </chapter> + <chapter id="CommonBackEndReq"> + <title>Kernel Debugger Internals</title> + <sect1 id="kgdbArchitecture"> + <title>Architecture Specifics</title> + <para> + The kernel debugger is organized into a number of components: + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para>The debug core</para> + <para> + The debug core is found in kernel/debugger/debug_core.c. It contains: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>A generic OS exception handler which includes + sync'ing the processors into a stopped state on an multi-CPU + system.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>The API to talk to the kgdb I/O drivers</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>The API to make calls to the arch-specific kgdb implementation</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>The logic to perform safe memory reads and writes to memory while using the debugger</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>A full implementation for software breakpoints unless overridden by the arch</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>The API to invoke either the kdb or kgdb frontend to the debug core.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>The structures and callback API for atomic kernel mode setting.</para> + <para>NOTE: kgdboc is where the kms callbacks are invoked.</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>kgdb arch-specific implementation</para> + <para> + This implementation is generally found in arch/*/kernel/kgdb.c. + As an example, arch/x86/kernel/kgdb.c contains the specifics to + implement HW breakpoint as well as the initialization to + dynamically register and unregister for the trap handlers on + this architecture. The arch-specific portion implements: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>contains an arch-specific trap catcher which + invokes kgdb_handle_exception() to start kgdb about doing its + work</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>translation to and from gdb specific packet format to pt_regs</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Registration and unregistration of architecture specific trap hooks</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Any special exception handling and cleanup</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>NMI exception handling and cleanup</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>(optional) HW breakpoints</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>gdbstub frontend (aka kgdb)</para> + <para>The gdbstub is located in kernel/debug/gdbstub.c. It contains:</para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>All the logic to implement the gdb serial protocol</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>kdb frontend</para> + <para>The kdb debugger shell is broken down into a number of + components. The kdb core is located in kernel/debug/kdb. There + are a number of helper functions in some of the other kernel + components to make it possible for kdb to examine and report + information about the kernel without taking locks that could + cause a kernel deadlock. The kdb core contains implements the following functionality.</para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>A simple shell</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>The kdb core command set</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>A registration API to register additional kdb shell commands.</para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>A good example of a self-contained kdb module + is the "ftdump" command for dumping the ftrace buffer. See: + kernel/trace/trace_kdb.c</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>For an example of how to dynamically register + a new kdb command you can build the kdb_hello.ko kernel module + from samples/kdb/kdb_hello.c. To build this example you can + set CONFIG_SAMPLES=y and CONFIG_SAMPLE_KDB=m in your kernel + config. Later run "modprobe kdb_hello" and the next time you + enter the kdb shell, you can run the "hello" + command.</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist></listitem> + <listitem><para>The implementation for kdb_printf() which + emits messages directly to I/O drivers, bypassing the kernel + log.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>SW / HW breakpoint management for the kdb shell</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </listitem> + <listitem><para>kgdb I/O driver</para> + <para> + Each kgdb I/O driver has to provide an implementation for the following: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>configuration via built-in or module</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>dynamic configuration and kgdb hook registration calls</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>read and write character interface</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>A cleanup handler for unconfiguring from the kgdb core</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>(optional) Early debug methodology</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + Any given kgdb I/O driver has to operate very closely with the + hardware and must do it in such a way that does not enable + interrupts or change other parts of the system context without + completely restoring them. The kgdb core will repeatedly "poll" + a kgdb I/O driver for characters when it needs input. The I/O + driver is expected to return immediately if there is no data + available. Doing so allows for the future possibility to touch + watchdog hardware in such a way as to have a target system not + reset when these are enabled. + </para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + </para> + <para> + If you are intent on adding kgdb architecture specific support + for a new architecture, the architecture should define + <constant>HAVE_ARCH_KGDB</constant> in the architecture specific + Kconfig file. This will enable kgdb for the architecture, and + at that point you must create an architecture specific kgdb + implementation. + </para> + <para> + There are a few flags which must be set on every architecture in + their <asm/kgdb.h> file. These are: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem> + <para> + NUMREGBYTES: The size in bytes of all of the registers, so + that we can ensure they will all fit into a packet. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para> + BUFMAX: The size in bytes of the buffer GDB will read into. + This must be larger than NUMREGBYTES. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para> + CACHE_FLUSH_IS_SAFE: Set to 1 if it is always safe to call + flush_cache_range or flush_icache_range. On some architectures, + these functions may not be safe to call on SMP since we keep other + CPUs in a holding pattern. + </para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + <para> + There are also the following functions for the common backend, + found in kernel/kgdb.c, that must be supplied by the + architecture-specific backend unless marked as (optional), in + which case a default function maybe used if the architecture + does not need to provide a specific implementation. + </para> +!Iinclude/linux/kgdb.h + </sect1> + <sect1 id="kgdbocDesign"> + <title>kgdboc internals</title> + <sect2> + <title>kgdboc and uarts</title> + <para> + The kgdboc driver is actually a very thin driver that relies on the + underlying low level to the hardware driver having "polling hooks" + to which the tty driver is attached. In the initial + implementation of kgdboc the serial_core was changed to expose a + low level UART hook for doing polled mode reading and writing of a + single character while in an atomic context. When kgdb makes an I/O + request to the debugger, kgdboc invokes a callback in the serial + core which in turn uses the callback in the UART driver.</para> + <para> + When using kgdboc with a UART, the UART driver must implement two callbacks in the <constant>struct uart_ops</constant>. Example from drivers/8250.c:<programlisting> +#ifdef CONFIG_CONSOLE_POLL + .poll_get_char = serial8250_get_poll_char, + .poll_put_char = serial8250_put_poll_char, +#endif + </programlisting> + Any implementation specifics around creating a polling driver use the + <constant>#ifdef CONFIG_CONSOLE_POLL</constant>, as shown above. + Keep in mind that polling hooks have to be implemented in such a way + that they can be called from an atomic context and have to restore + the state of the UART chip on return such that the system can return + to normal when the debugger detaches. You need to be very careful + with any kind of lock you consider, because failing here is most likely + going to mean pressing the reset button. + </para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="kgdbocKbd"> + <title>kgdboc and keyboards</title> + <para>The kgdboc driver contains logic to configure communications + with an attached keyboard. The keyboard infrastructure is only + compiled into the kernel when CONFIG_KDB_KEYBOARD=y is set in the + kernel configuration.</para> + <para>The core polled keyboard driver driver for PS/2 type keyboards + is in drivers/char/kdb_keyboard.c. This driver is hooked into the + debug core when kgdboc populates the callback in the array + called <constant>kdb_poll_funcs[]</constant>. The + kdb_get_kbd_char() is the top-level function which polls hardware + for single character input. + </para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="kgdbocKms"> + <title>kgdboc and kms</title> + <para>The kgdboc driver contains logic to request the graphics + display to switch to a text context when you are using + "kgdboc=kms,kbd", provided that you have a video driver which has a + frame buffer console and atomic kernel mode setting support.</para> + <para> + Every time the kernel + debugger is entered it calls kgdboc_pre_exp_handler() which in turn + calls con_debug_enter() in the virtual console layer. On resuming kernel + execution, the kernel debugger calls kgdboc_post_exp_handler() which + in turn calls con_debug_leave().</para> + <para>Any video driver that wants to be compatible with the kernel + debugger and the atomic kms callbacks must implement the + mode_set_base_atomic, fb_debug_enter and fb_debug_leave operations. + For the fb_debug_enter and fb_debug_leave the option exists to use + the generic drm fb helper functions or implement something custom for + the hardware. The following example shows the initialization of the + .mode_set_base_atomic operation in + drivers/gpu/drm/i915/intel_display.c: + <informalexample> + <programlisting> +static const struct drm_crtc_helper_funcs intel_helper_funcs = { +[...] + .mode_set_base_atomic = intel_pipe_set_base_atomic, +[...] +}; + </programlisting> + </informalexample> + </para> + <para>Here is an example of how the i915 driver initializes the fb_debug_enter and fb_debug_leave functions to use the generic drm helpers in + drivers/gpu/drm/i915/intel_fb.c: + <informalexample> + <programlisting> +static struct fb_ops intelfb_ops = { +[...] + .fb_debug_enter = drm_fb_helper_debug_enter, + .fb_debug_leave = drm_fb_helper_debug_leave, +[...] +}; + </programlisting> + </informalexample> + </para> + </sect2> + </sect1> + </chapter> + <chapter id="credits"> + <title>Credits</title> + <para> + The following people have contributed to this document: + <orderedlist> + <listitem><para>Amit Kale<email>amitkale@linsyssoft.com</email></para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Tom Rini<email>trini@kernel.crashing.org</email></para></listitem> + </orderedlist> + In March 2008 this document was completely rewritten by: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>Jason Wessel<email>jason.wessel@windriver.com</email></para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + In Jan 2010 this document was updated to include kdb. + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>Jason Wessel<email>jason.wessel@windriver.com</email></para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + </chapter> +</book> + |