From 66bb74888eb4bef4ba7c87c931ecb7ecca3a240c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Li Zefan Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 11:40:27 +0800 Subject: tracing: consolidate documents Move kmemtrace.txt, tracepoints.txt, ftrace.txt and mmiotrace.txt to the new trace/ directory. I didnt find any references to those documents in both source files and documents, so no extra work needs to be done. Signed-off-by: Li Zefan Acked-by: Pekka Paalanen Cc: Steven Rostedt Cc: Frederic Weisbecker Cc: Mathieu Desnoyers LKML-Reference: <49DD6E2B.6090200@cn.fujitsu.com> Signed-off-by: Ingo Molnar --- Documentation/ftrace.txt | 1828 ----------------------------------- Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt | 1828 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Documentation/trace/kmemtrace.txt | 126 +++ Documentation/trace/mmiotrace.txt | 163 ++++ Documentation/trace/tracepoints.txt | 116 +++ Documentation/tracepoints.txt | 116 --- Documentation/tracers/mmiotrace.txt | 163 ---- Documentation/vm/kmemtrace.txt | 126 --- 8 files changed, 2233 insertions(+), 2233 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 Documentation/ftrace.txt create mode 100644 Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt create mode 100644 Documentation/trace/kmemtrace.txt create mode 100644 Documentation/trace/mmiotrace.txt create mode 100644 Documentation/trace/tracepoints.txt delete mode 100644 Documentation/tracepoints.txt delete mode 100644 Documentation/tracers/mmiotrace.txt delete mode 100644 Documentation/vm/kmemtrace.txt (limited to 'Documentation') diff --git a/Documentation/ftrace.txt b/Documentation/ftrace.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fd9a3e693813..000000000000 --- a/Documentation/ftrace.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1828 +0,0 @@ - ftrace - Function Tracer - ======================== - -Copyright 2008 Red Hat Inc. - Author: Steven Rostedt - License: The GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 - (dual licensed under the GPL v2) -Reviewers: Elias Oltmanns, Randy Dunlap, Andrew Morton, - John Kacur, and David Teigland. - -Written for: 2.6.28-rc2 - -Introduction ------------- - -Ftrace is an internal tracer designed to help out developers and -designers of systems to find what is going on inside the kernel. -It can be used for debugging or analyzing latencies and -performance issues that take place outside of user-space. - -Although ftrace is the function tracer, it also includes an -infrastructure that allows for other types of tracing. Some of -the tracers that are currently in ftrace include a tracer to -trace context switches, the time it takes for a high priority -task to run after it was woken up, the time interrupts are -disabled, and more (ftrace allows for tracer plugins, which -means that the list of tracers can always grow). - - -The File System ---------------- - -Ftrace uses the debugfs file system to hold the control files as -well as the files to display output. - -To mount the debugfs system: - - # mkdir /debug - # mount -t debugfs nodev /debug - -( Note: it is more common to mount at /sys/kernel/debug, but for - simplicity this document will use /debug) - -That's it! (assuming that you have ftrace configured into your kernel) - -After mounting the debugfs, you can see a directory called -"tracing". This directory contains the control and output files -of ftrace. Here is a list of some of the key files: - - - Note: all time values are in microseconds. - - current_tracer: - - This is used to set or display the current tracer - that is configured. - - available_tracers: - - This holds the different types of tracers that - have been compiled into the kernel. The - tracers listed here can be configured by - echoing their name into current_tracer. - - tracing_enabled: - - This sets or displays whether the current_tracer - is activated and tracing or not. Echo 0 into this - file to disable the tracer or 1 to enable it. - - trace: - - This file holds the output of the trace in a human - readable format (described below). - - latency_trace: - - This file shows the same trace but the information - is organized more to display possible latencies - in the system (described below). - - trace_pipe: - - The output is the same as the "trace" file but this - file is meant to be streamed with live tracing. - Reads from this file will block until new data - is retrieved. Unlike the "trace" and "latency_trace" - files, this file is a consumer. This means reading - from this file causes sequential reads to display - more current data. Once data is read from this - file, it is consumed, and will not be read - again with a sequential read. The "trace" and - "latency_trace" files are static, and if the - tracer is not adding more data, they will display - the same information every time they are read. - - trace_options: - - This file lets the user control the amount of data - that is displayed in one of the above output - files. - - tracing_max_latency: - - Some of the tracers record the max latency. - For example, the time interrupts are disabled. - This time is saved in this file. The max trace - will also be stored, and displayed by either - "trace" or "latency_trace". A new max trace will - only be recorded if the latency is greater than - the value in this file. (in microseconds) - - buffer_size_kb: - - This sets or displays the number of kilobytes each CPU - buffer can hold. The tracer buffers are the same size - for each CPU. The displayed number is the size of the - CPU buffer and not total size of all buffers. The - trace buffers are allocated in pages (blocks of memory - that the kernel uses for allocation, usually 4 KB in size). - If the last page allocated has room for more bytes - than requested, the rest of the page will be used, - making the actual allocation bigger than requested. - ( Note, the size may not be a multiple of the page size - due to buffer managment overhead. ) - - This can only be updated when the current_tracer - is set to "nop". - - tracing_cpumask: - - This is a mask that lets the user only trace - on specified CPUS. The format is a hex string - representing the CPUS. - - set_ftrace_filter: - - When dynamic ftrace is configured in (see the - section below "dynamic ftrace"), the code is dynamically - modified (code text rewrite) to disable calling of the - function profiler (mcount). This lets tracing be configured - in with practically no overhead in performance. This also - has a side effect of enabling or disabling specific functions - to be traced. Echoing names of functions into this file - will limit the trace to only those functions. - - set_ftrace_notrace: - - This has an effect opposite to that of - set_ftrace_filter. Any function that is added here will not - be traced. If a function exists in both set_ftrace_filter - and set_ftrace_notrace, the function will _not_ be traced. - - set_ftrace_pid: - - Have the function tracer only trace a single thread. - - set_graph_function: - - Set a "trigger" function where tracing should start - with the function graph tracer (See the section - "dynamic ftrace" for more details). - - available_filter_functions: - - This lists the functions that ftrace - has processed and can trace. These are the function - names that you can pass to "set_ftrace_filter" or - "set_ftrace_notrace". (See the section "dynamic ftrace" - below for more details.) - - -The Tracers ------------ - -Here is the list of current tracers that may be configured. - - "function" - - Function call tracer to trace all kernel functions. - - "function_graph_tracer" - - Similar to the function tracer except that the - function tracer probes the functions on their entry - whereas the function graph tracer traces on both entry - and exit of the functions. It then provides the ability - to draw a graph of function calls similar to C code - source. - - "sched_switch" - - Traces the context switches and wakeups between tasks. - - "irqsoff" - - Traces the areas that disable interrupts and saves - the trace with the longest max latency. - See tracing_max_latency. When a new max is recorded, - it replaces the old trace. It is best to view this - trace via the latency_trace file. - - "preemptoff" - - Similar to irqsoff but traces and records the amount of - time for which preemption is disabled. - - "preemptirqsoff" - - Similar to irqsoff and preemptoff, but traces and - records the largest time for which irqs and/or preemption - is disabled. - - "wakeup" - - Traces and records the max latency that it takes for - the highest priority task to get scheduled after - it has been woken up. - - "hw-branch-tracer" - - Uses the BTS CPU feature on x86 CPUs to traces all - branches executed. - - "nop" - - This is the "trace nothing" tracer. To remove all - tracers from tracing simply echo "nop" into - current_tracer. - - -Examples of using the tracer ----------------------------- - -Here are typical examples of using the tracers when controlling -them only with the debugfs interface (without using any -user-land utilities). - -Output format: --------------- - -Here is an example of the output format of the file "trace" - - -------- -# tracer: function -# -# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION -# | | | | | - bash-4251 [01] 10152.583854: path_put <-path_walk - bash-4251 [01] 10152.583855: dput <-path_put - bash-4251 [01] 10152.583855: _atomic_dec_and_lock <-dput - -------- - -A header is printed with the tracer name that is represented by -the trace. In this case the tracer is "function". Then a header -showing the format. Task name "bash", the task PID "4251", the -CPU that it was running on "01", the timestamp in . -format, the function name that was traced "path_put" and the -parent function that called this function "path_walk". The -timestamp is the time at which the function was entered. - -The sched_switch tracer also includes tracing of task wakeups -and context switches. - - ksoftirqd/1-7 [01] 1453.070013: 7:115:R + 2916:115:S - ksoftirqd/1-7 [01] 1453.070013: 7:115:R + 10:115:S - ksoftirqd/1-7 [01] 1453.070013: 7:115:R ==> 10:115:R - events/1-10 [01] 1453.070013: 10:115:S ==> 2916:115:R - kondemand/1-2916 [01] 1453.070013: 2916:115:S ==> 7:115:R - ksoftirqd/1-7 [01] 1453.070013: 7:115:S ==> 0:140:R - -Wake ups are represented by a "+" and the context switches are -shown as "==>". The format is: - - Context switches: - - Previous task Next Task - - :: ==> :: - - Wake ups: - - Current task Task waking up - - :: + :: - -The prio is the internal kernel priority, which is the inverse -of the priority that is usually displayed by user-space tools. -Zero represents the highest priority (99). Prio 100 starts the -"nice" priorities with 100 being equal to nice -20 and 139 being -nice 19. The prio "140" is reserved for the idle task which is -the lowest priority thread (pid 0). - - -Latency trace format --------------------- - -For traces that display latency times, the latency_trace file -gives somewhat more information to see why a latency happened. -Here is a typical trace. - -# tracer: irqsoff -# -irqsoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 --------------------------------------------------------------------- - latency: 97 us, #3/3, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) - ----------------- - | task: swapper-0 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) - ----------------- - => started at: apic_timer_interrupt - => ended at: do_softirq - -# _------=> CPU# -# / _-----=> irqs-off -# | / _----=> need-resched -# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq -# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth -# |||| / -# ||||| delay -# cmd pid ||||| time | caller -# \ / ||||| \ | / - -0 0d..1 0us+: trace_hardirqs_off_thunk (apic_timer_interrupt) - -0 0d.s. 97us : __do_softirq (do_softirq) - -0 0d.s1 98us : trace_hardirqs_on (do_softirq) - - -This shows that the current tracer is "irqsoff" tracing the time -for which interrupts were disabled. It gives the trace version -and the version of the kernel upon which this was executed on -(2.6.26-rc8). Then it displays the max latency in microsecs (97 -us). The number of trace entries displayed and the total number -recorded (both are three: #3/3). The type of preemption that was -used (PREEMPT). VP, KP, SP, and HP are always zero and are -reserved for later use. #P is the number of online CPUS (#P:2). - -The task is the process that was running when the latency -occurred. (swapper pid: 0). - -The start and stop (the functions in which the interrupts were -disabled and enabled respectively) that caused the latencies: - - apic_timer_interrupt is where the interrupts were disabled. - do_softirq is where they were enabled again. - -The next lines after the header are the trace itself. The header -explains which is which. - - cmd: The name of the process in the trace. - - pid: The PID of that process. - - CPU#: The CPU which the process was running on. - - irqs-off: 'd' interrupts are disabled. '.' otherwise. - Note: If the architecture does not support a way to - read the irq flags variable, an 'X' will always - be printed here. - - need-resched: 'N' task need_resched is set, '.' otherwise. - - hardirq/softirq: - 'H' - hard irq occurred inside a softirq. - 'h' - hard irq is running - 's' - soft irq is running - '.' - normal context. - - preempt-depth: The level of preempt_disabled - -The above is mostly meaningful for kernel developers. - - time: This differs from the trace file output. The trace file output - includes an absolute timestamp. The timestamp used by the - latency_trace file is relative to the start of the trace. - - delay: This is just to help catch your eye a bit better. And - needs to be fixed to be only relative to the same CPU. - The marks are determined by the difference between this - current trace and the next trace. - '!' - greater than preempt_mark_thresh (default 100) - '+' - greater than 1 microsecond - ' ' - less than or equal to 1 microsecond. - - The rest is the same as the 'trace' file. - - -trace_options -------------- - -The trace_options file is used to control what gets printed in -the trace output. To see what is available, simply cat the file: - - cat /debug/tracing/trace_options - print-parent nosym-offset nosym-addr noverbose noraw nohex nobin \ - noblock nostacktrace nosched-tree nouserstacktrace nosym-userobj - -To disable one of the options, echo in the option prepended with -"no". - - echo noprint-parent > /debug/tracing/trace_options - -To enable an option, leave off the "no". - - echo sym-offset > /debug/tracing/trace_options - -Here are the available options: - - print-parent - On function traces, display the calling (parent) - function as well as the function being traced. - - print-parent: - bash-4000 [01] 1477.606694: simple_strtoul <-strict_strtoul - - noprint-parent: - bash-4000 [01] 1477.606694: simple_strtoul - - - sym-offset - Display not only the function name, but also the - offset in the function. For example, instead of - seeing just "ktime_get", you will see - "ktime_get+0xb/0x20". - - sym-offset: - bash-4000 [01] 1477.606694: simple_strtoul+0x6/0xa0 - - sym-addr - this will also display the function address as well - as the function name. - - sym-addr: - bash-4000 [01] 1477.606694: simple_strtoul - - verbose - This deals with the latency_trace file. - - bash 4000 1 0 00000000 00010a95 [58127d26] 1720.415ms \ - (+0.000ms): simple_strtoul (strict_strtoul) - - raw - This will display raw numbers. This option is best for - use with user applications that can translate the raw - numbers better than having it done in the kernel. - - hex - Similar to raw, but the numbers will be in a hexadecimal - format. - - bin - This will print out the formats in raw binary. - - block - TBD (needs update) - - stacktrace - This is one of the options that changes the trace - itself. When a trace is recorded, so is the stack - of functions. This allows for back traces of - trace sites. - - userstacktrace - This option changes the trace. It records a - stacktrace of the current userspace thread. - - sym-userobj - when user stacktrace are enabled, look up which - object the address belongs to, and print a - relative address. This is especially useful when - ASLR is on, otherwise you don't get a chance to - resolve the address to object/file/line after - the app is no longer running - - The lookup is performed when you read - trace,trace_pipe,latency_trace. Example: - - a.out-1623 [000] 40874.465068: /root/a.out[+0x480] <-/root/a.out[+0 -x494] <- /root/a.out[+0x4a8] <- /lib/libc-2.7.so[+0x1e1a6] - - sched-tree - trace all tasks that are on the runqueue, at - every scheduling event. Will add overhead if - there's a lot of tasks running at once. - - -sched_switch ------------- - -This tracer simply records schedule switches. Here is an example -of how to use it. - - # echo sched_switch > /debug/tracing/current_tracer - # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # sleep 1 - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # cat /debug/tracing/trace - -# tracer: sched_switch -# -# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION -# | | | | | - bash-3997 [01] 240.132281: 3997:120:R + 4055:120:R - bash-3997 [01] 240.132284: 3997:120:R ==> 4055:120:R - sleep-4055 [01] 240.132371: 4055:120:S ==> 3997:120:R - bash-3997 [01] 240.132454: 3997:120:R + 4055:120:S - bash-3997 [01] 240.132457: 3997:120:R ==> 4055:120:R - sleep-4055 [01] 240.132460: 4055:120:D ==> 3997:120:R - bash-3997 [01] 240.132463: 3997:120:R + 4055:120:D - bash-3997 [01] 240.132465: 3997:120:R ==> 4055:120:R - -0 [00] 240.132589: 0:140:R + 4:115:S - -0 [00] 240.132591: 0:140:R ==> 4:115:R - ksoftirqd/0-4 [00] 240.132595: 4:115:S ==> 0:140:R - -0 [00] 240.132598: 0:140:R + 4:115:S - -0 [00] 240.132599: 0:140:R ==> 4:115:R - ksoftirqd/0-4 [00] 240.132603: 4:115:S ==> 0:140:R - sleep-4055 [01] 240.133058: 4055:120:S ==> 3997:120:R - [...] - - -As we have discussed previously about this format, the header -shows the name of the trace and points to the options. The -"FUNCTION" is a misnomer since here it represents the wake ups -and context switches. - -The sched_switch file only lists the wake ups (represented with -'+') and context switches ('==>') with the previous task or -current task first followed by the next task or task waking up. -The format for both of these is PID:KERNEL-PRIO:TASK-STATE. -Remember that the KERNEL-PRIO is the inverse of the actual -priority with zero (0) being the highest priority and the nice -values starting at 100 (nice -20). Below is a quick chart to map -the kernel priority to user land priorities. - - Kernel priority: 0 to 99 ==> user RT priority 99 to 0 - Kernel priority: 100 to 139 ==> user nice -20 to 19 - Kernel priority: 140 ==> idle task priority - -The task states are: - - R - running : wants to run, may not actually be running - S - sleep : process is waiting to be woken up (handles signals) - D - disk sleep (uninterruptible sleep) : process must be woken up - (ignores signals) - T - stopped : process suspended - t - traced : process is being traced (with something like gdb) - Z - zombie : process waiting to be cleaned up - X - unknown - - -ftrace_enabled --------------- - -The following tracers (listed below) give different output -depending on whether or not the sysctl ftrace_enabled is set. To -set ftrace_enabled, one can either use the sysctl function or -set it via the proc file system interface. - - sysctl kernel.ftrace_enabled=1 - - or - - echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/ftrace_enabled - -To disable ftrace_enabled simply replace the '1' with '0' in the -above commands. - -When ftrace_enabled is set the tracers will also record the -functions that are within the trace. The descriptions of the -tracers will also show an example with ftrace enabled. - - -irqsoff -------- - -When interrupts are disabled, the CPU can not react to any other -external event (besides NMIs and SMIs). This prevents the timer -interrupt from triggering or the mouse interrupt from letting -the kernel know of a new mouse event. The result is a latency -with the reaction time. - -The irqsoff tracer tracks the time for which interrupts are -disabled. When a new maximum latency is hit, the tracer saves -the trace leading up to that latency point so that every time a -new maximum is reached, the old saved trace is discarded and the -new trace is saved. - -To reset the maximum, echo 0 into tracing_max_latency. Here is -an example: - - # echo irqsoff > /debug/tracing/current_tracer - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_max_latency - # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # ls -ltr - [...] - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # cat /debug/tracing/latency_trace -# tracer: irqsoff -# -irqsoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26 --------------------------------------------------------------------- - latency: 12 us, #3/3, CPU#1 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) - ----------------- - | task: bash-3730 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) - ----------------- - => started at: sys_setpgid - => ended at: sys_setpgid - -# _------=> CPU# -# / _-----=> irqs-off -# | / _----=> need-resched -# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq -# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth -# |||| / -# ||||| delay -# cmd pid ||||| time | caller -# \ / ||||| \ | / - bash-3730 1d... 0us : _write_lock_irq (sys_setpgid) - bash-3730 1d..1 1us+: _write_unlock_irq (sys_setpgid) - bash-3730 1d..2 14us : trace_hardirqs_on (sys_setpgid) - - -Here we see that that we had a latency of 12 microsecs (which is -very good). The _write_lock_irq in sys_setpgid disabled -interrupts. The difference between the 12 and the displayed -timestamp 14us occurred because the clock was incremented -between the time of recording the max latency and the time of -recording the function that had that latency. - -Note the above example had ftrace_enabled not set. If we set the -ftrace_enabled, we get a much larger output: - -# tracer: irqsoff -# -irqsoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 --------------------------------------------------------------------- - latency: 50 us, #101/101, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) - ----------------- - | task: ls-4339 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) - ----------------- - => started at: __alloc_pages_internal - => ended at: __alloc_pages_internal - -# _------=> CPU# -# / _-----=> irqs-off -# | / _----=> need-resched -# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq -# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth -# |||| / -# ||||| delay -# cmd pid ||||| time | caller -# \ / ||||| \ | / - ls-4339 0...1 0us+: get_page_from_freelist (__alloc_pages_internal) - ls-4339 0d..1 3us : rmqueue_bulk (get_page_from_freelist) - ls-4339 0d..1 3us : _spin_lock (rmqueue_bulk) - ls-4339 0d..1 4us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock) - ls-4339 0d..2 4us : __rmqueue (rmqueue_bulk) - ls-4339 0d..2 5us : __rmqueue_smallest (__rmqueue) - ls-4339 0d..2 5us : __mod_zone_page_state (__rmqueue_smallest) - ls-4339 0d..2 6us : __rmqueue (rmqueue_bulk) - ls-4339 0d..2 6us : __rmqueue_smallest (__rmqueue) - ls-4339 0d..2 7us : __mod_zone_page_state (__rmqueue_smallest) - ls-4339 0d..2 7us : __rmqueue (rmqueue_bulk) - ls-4339 0d..2 8us : __rmqueue_smallest (__rmqueue) -[...] - ls-4339 0d..2 46us : __rmqueue_smallest (__rmqueue) - ls-4339 0d..2 47us : __mod_zone_page_state (__rmqueue_smallest) - ls-4339 0d..2 47us : __rmqueue (rmqueue_bulk) - ls-4339 0d..2 48us : __rmqueue_smallest (__rmqueue) - ls-4339 0d..2 48us : __mod_zone_page_state (__rmqueue_smallest) - ls-4339 0d..2 49us : _spin_unlock (rmqueue_bulk) - ls-4339 0d..2 49us : sub_preempt_count (_spin_unlock) - ls-4339 0d..1 50us : get_page_from_freelist (__alloc_pages_internal) - ls-4339 0d..2 51us : trace_hardirqs_on (__alloc_pages_internal) - - - -Here we traced a 50 microsecond latency. But we also see all the -functions that were called during that time. Note that by -enabling function tracing, we incur an added overhead. This -overhead may extend the latency times. But nevertheless, this -trace has provided some very helpful debugging information. - - -preemptoff ----------- - -When preemption is disabled, we may be able to receive -interrupts but the task cannot be preempted and a higher -priority task must wait for preemption to be enabled again -before it can preempt a lower priority task. - -The preemptoff tracer traces the places that disable preemption. -Like the irqsoff tracer, it records the maximum latency for -which preemption was disabled. The control of preemptoff tracer -is much like the irqsoff tracer. - - # echo preemptoff > /debug/tracing/current_tracer - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_max_latency - # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # ls -ltr - [...] - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # cat /debug/tracing/latency_trace -# tracer: preemptoff -# -preemptoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 --------------------------------------------------------------------- - latency: 29 us, #3/3, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) - ----------------- - | task: sshd-4261 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) - ----------------- - => started at: do_IRQ - => ended at: __do_softirq - -# _------=> CPU# -# / _-----=> irqs-off -# | / _----=> need-resched -# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq -# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth -# |||| / -# ||||| delay -# cmd pid ||||| time | caller -# \ / ||||| \ | / - sshd-4261 0d.h. 0us+: irq_enter (do_IRQ) - sshd-4261 0d.s. 29us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) - sshd-4261 0d.s1 30us : trace_preempt_on (__do_softirq) - - -This has some more changes. Preemption was disabled when an -interrupt came in (notice the 'h'), and was enabled while doing -a softirq. (notice the 's'). But we also see that interrupts -have been disabled when entering the preempt off section and -leaving it (the 'd'). We do not know if interrupts were enabled -in the mean time. - -# tracer: preemptoff -# -preemptoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 --------------------------------------------------------------------- - latency: 63 us, #87/87, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) - ----------------- - | task: sshd-4261 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) - ----------------- - => started at: remove_wait_queue - => ended at: __do_softirq - -# _------=> CPU# -# / _-----=> irqs-off -# | / _----=> need-resched -# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq -# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth -# |||| / -# ||||| delay -# cmd pid ||||| time | caller -# \ / ||||| \ | / - sshd-4261 0d..1 0us : _spin_lock_irqsave (remove_wait_queue) - sshd-4261 0d..1 1us : _spin_unlock_irqrestore (remove_wait_queue) - sshd-4261 0d..1 2us : do_IRQ (common_interrupt) - sshd-4261 0d..1 2us : irq_enter (do_IRQ) - sshd-4261 0d..1 2us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) - sshd-4261 0d..1 3us : add_preempt_count (irq_enter) - sshd-4261 0d.h1 3us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) - sshd-4261 0d.h. 4us : handle_fasteoi_irq (do_IRQ) -[...] - sshd-4261 0d.h. 12us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock) - sshd-4261 0d.h1 12us : ack_ioapic_quirk_irq (handle_fasteoi_irq) - sshd-4261 0d.h1 13us : move_native_irq (ack_ioapic_quirk_irq) - sshd-4261 0d.h1 13us : _spin_unlock (handle_fasteoi_irq) - sshd-4261 0d.h1 14us : sub_preempt_count (_spin_unlock) - sshd-4261 0d.h1 14us : irq_exit (do_IRQ) - sshd-4261 0d.h1 15us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) - sshd-4261 0d..2 15us : do_softirq (irq_exit) - sshd-4261 0d... 15us : __do_softirq (do_softirq) - sshd-4261 0d... 16us : __local_bh_disable (__do_softirq) - sshd-4261 0d... 16us+: add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) - sshd-4261 0d.s4 20us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) - sshd-4261 0d.s4 21us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable) - sshd-4261 0d.s5 21us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable) -[...] - sshd-4261 0d.s6 41us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) - sshd-4261 0d.s6 42us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable) - sshd-4261 0d.s7 42us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable) - sshd-4261 0d.s5 43us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) - sshd-4261 0d.s5 43us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable_ip) - sshd-4261 0d.s6 44us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable_ip) - sshd-4261 0d.s5 44us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) - sshd-4261 0d.s5 45us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable) -[...] - sshd-4261 0d.s. 63us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) - sshd-4261 0d.s1 64us : trace_preempt_on (__do_softirq) - - -The above is an example of the preemptoff trace with -ftrace_enabled set. Here we see that interrupts were disabled -the entire time. The irq_enter code lets us know that we entered -an interrupt 'h'. Before that, the functions being traced still -show that it is not in an interrupt, but we can see from the -functions themselves that this is not the case. - -Notice that __do_softirq when called does not have a -preempt_count. It may seem that we missed a preempt enabling. -What really happened is that the preempt count is held on the -thread's stack and we switched to the softirq stack (4K stacks -in effect). The code does not copy the preempt count, but -because interrupts are disabled, we do not need to worry about -it. Having a tracer like this is good for letting people know -what really happens inside the kernel. - - -preemptirqsoff --------------- - -Knowing the locations that have interrupts disabled or -preemption disabled for the longest times is helpful. But -sometimes we would like to know when either preemption and/or -interrupts are disabled. - -Consider the following code: - - local_irq_disable(); - call_function_with_irqs_off(); - preempt_disable(); - call_function_with_irqs_and_preemption_off(); - local_irq_enable(); - call_function_with_preemption_off(); - preempt_enable(); - -The irqsoff tracer will record the total length of -call_function_with_irqs_off() and -call_function_with_irqs_and_preemption_off(). - -The preemptoff tracer will record the total length of -call_function_with_irqs_and_preemption_off() and -call_function_with_preemption_off(). - -But neither will trace the time that interrupts and/or -preemption is disabled. This total time is the time that we can -not schedule. To record this time, use the preemptirqsoff -tracer. - -Again, using this trace is much like the irqsoff and preemptoff -tracers. - - # echo preemptirqsoff > /debug/tracing/current_tracer - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_max_latency - # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # ls -ltr - [...] - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # cat /debug/tracing/latency_trace -# tracer: preemptirqsoff -# -preemptirqsoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 --------------------------------------------------------------------- - latency: 293 us, #3/3, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) - ----------------- - | task: ls-4860 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) - ----------------- - => started at: apic_timer_interrupt - => ended at: __do_softirq - -# _------=> CPU# -# / _-----=> irqs-off -# | / _----=> need-resched -# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq -# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth -# |||| / -# ||||| delay -# cmd pid ||||| time | caller -# \ / ||||| \ | / - ls-4860 0d... 0us!: trace_hardirqs_off_thunk (apic_timer_interrupt) - ls-4860 0d.s. 294us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) - ls-4860 0d.s1 294us : trace_preempt_on (__do_softirq) - - - -The trace_hardirqs_off_thunk is called from assembly on x86 when -interrupts are disabled in the assembly code. Without the -function tracing, we do not know if interrupts were enabled -within the preemption points. We do see that it started with -preemption enabled. - -Here is a trace with ftrace_enabled set: - - -# tracer: preemptirqsoff -# -preemptirqsoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 --------------------------------------------------------------------- - latency: 105 us, #183/183, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) - ----------------- - | task: sshd-4261 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) - ----------------- - => started at: write_chan - => ended at: __do_softirq - -# _------=> CPU# -# / _-----=> irqs-off -# | / _----=> need-resched -# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq -# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth -# |||| / -# ||||| delay -# cmd pid ||||| time | caller -# \ / ||||| \ | / - ls-4473 0.N.. 0us : preempt_schedule (write_chan) - ls-4473 0dN.1 1us : _spin_lock (schedule) - ls-4473 0dN.1 2us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock) - ls-4473 0d..2 2us : put_prev_task_fair (schedule) -[...] - ls-4473 0d..2 13us : set_normalized_timespec (ktime_get_ts) - ls-4473 0d..2 13us : __switch_to (schedule) - sshd-4261 0d..2 14us : finish_task_switch (schedule) - sshd-4261 0d..2 14us : _spin_unlock_irq (finish_task_switch) - sshd-4261 0d..1 15us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock_irqsave) - sshd-4261 0d..2 16us : _spin_unlock_irqrestore (hrtick_set) - sshd-4261 0d..2 16us : do_IRQ (common_interrupt) - sshd-4261 0d..2 17us : irq_enter (do_IRQ) - sshd-4261 0d..2 17us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) - sshd-4261 0d..2 18us : add_preempt_count (irq_enter) - sshd-4261 0d.h2 18us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) - sshd-4261 0d.h. 18us : handle_fasteoi_irq (do_IRQ) - sshd-4261 0d.h. 19us : _spin_lock (handle_fasteoi_irq) - sshd-4261 0d.h. 19us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock) - sshd-4261 0d.h1 20us : _spin_unlock (handle_fasteoi_irq) - sshd-4261 0d.h1 20us : sub_preempt_count (_spin_unlock) -[...] - sshd-4261 0d.h1 28us : _spin_unlock (handle_fasteoi_irq) - sshd-4261 0d.h1 29us : sub_preempt_count (_spin_unlock) - sshd-4261 0d.h2 29us : irq_exit (do_IRQ) - sshd-4261 0d.h2 29us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) - sshd-4261 0d..3 30us : do_softirq (irq_exit) - sshd-4261 0d... 30us : __do_softirq (do_softirq) - sshd-4261 0d... 31us : __local_bh_disable (__do_softirq) - sshd-4261 0d... 31us+: add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) - sshd-4261 0d.s4 34us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) -[...] - sshd-4261 0d.s3 43us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable_ip) - sshd-4261 0d.s4 44us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable_ip) - sshd-4261 0d.s3 44us : smp_apic_timer_interrupt (apic_timer_interrupt) - sshd-4261 0d.s3 45us : irq_enter (smp_apic_timer_interrupt) - sshd-4261 0d.s3 45us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) - sshd-4261 0d.s3 46us : add_preempt_count (irq_enter) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 46us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 47us : hrtimer_interrupt (smp_apic_timer_interrupt) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 47us : ktime_get (hrtimer_interrupt) -[...] - sshd-4261 0d.H3 81us : tick_program_event (hrtimer_interrupt) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 82us : ktime_get (tick_program_event) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 82us : ktime_get_ts (ktime_get) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 83us : getnstimeofday (ktime_get_ts) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 83us : set_normalized_timespec (ktime_get_ts) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 84us : clockevents_program_event (tick_program_event) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 84us : lapic_next_event (clockevents_program_event) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 85us : irq_exit (smp_apic_timer_interrupt) - sshd-4261 0d.H3 85us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) - sshd-4261 0d.s4 86us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) - sshd-4261 0d.s3 86us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) -[...] - sshd-4261 0d.s1 98us : sub_preempt_count (net_rx_action) - sshd-4261 0d.s. 99us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock_irq) - sshd-4261 0d.s1 99us+: _spin_unlock_irq (run_timer_softirq) - sshd-4261 0d.s. 104us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) - sshd-4261 0d.s. 104us : sub_preempt_count (_local_bh_enable) - sshd-4261 0d.s. 105us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) - sshd-4261 0d.s1 105us : trace_preempt_on (__do_softirq) - - -This is a very interesting trace. It started with the preemption -of the ls task. We see that the task had the "need_resched" bit -set via the 'N' in the trace. Interrupts were disabled before -the spin_lock at the beginning of the trace. We see that a -schedule took place to run sshd. When the interrupts were -enabled, we took an interrupt. On return from the interrupt -handler, the softirq ran. We took another interrupt while -running the softirq as we see from the capital 'H'. - - -wakeup ------- - -In a Real-Time environment it is very important to know the -wakeup time it takes for the highest priority task that is woken -up to the time that it executes. This is also known as "schedule -latency". I stress the point that this is about RT tasks. It is -also important to know the scheduling latency of non-RT tasks, -but the average schedule latency is better for non-RT tasks. -Tools like LatencyTop are more appropriate for such -measurements. - -Real-Time environments are interested in the worst case latency. -That is the longest latency it takes for something to happen, -and not the average. We can have a very fast scheduler that may -only have a large latency once in a while, but that would not -work well with Real-Time tasks. The wakeup tracer was designed -to record the worst case wakeups of RT tasks. Non-RT tasks are -not recorded because the tracer only records one worst case and -tracing non-RT tasks that are unpredictable will overwrite the -worst case latency of RT tasks. - -Since this tracer only deals with RT tasks, we will run this -slightly differently than we did with the previous tracers. -Instead of performing an 'ls', we will run 'sleep 1' under -'chrt' which changes the priority of the task. - - # echo wakeup > /debug/tracing/current_tracer - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_max_latency - # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # chrt -f 5 sleep 1 - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # cat /debug/tracing/latency_trace -# tracer: wakeup -# -wakeup latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 --------------------------------------------------------------------- - latency: 4 us, #2/2, CPU#1 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) - ----------------- - | task: sleep-4901 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:1 rt_prio:5) - ----------------- - -# _------=> CPU# -# / _-----=> irqs-off -# | / _----=> need-resched -# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq -# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth -# |||| / -# ||||| delay -# cmd pid ||||| time | caller -# \ / ||||| \ | / - -0 1d.h4 0us+: try_to_wake_up (wake_up_process) - -0 1d..4 4us : schedule (cpu_idle) - - -Running this on an idle system, we see that it only took 4 -microseconds to perform the task switch. Note, since the trace -marker in the schedule is before the actual "switch", we stop -the tracing when the recorded task is about to schedule in. This -may change if we add a new marker at the end of the scheduler. - -Notice that the recorded task is 'sleep' with the PID of 4901 -and it has an rt_prio of 5. This priority is user-space priority -and not the internal kernel priority. The policy is 1 for -SCHED_FIFO and 2 for SCHED_RR. - -Doing the same with chrt -r 5 and ftrace_enabled set. - -# tracer: wakeup -# -wakeup latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 --------------------------------------------------------------------- - latency: 50 us, #60/60, CPU#1 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) - ----------------- - | task: sleep-4068 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:2 rt_prio:5) - ----------------- - -# _------=> CPU# -# / _-----=> irqs-off -# | / _----=> need-resched -# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq -# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth -# |||| / -# ||||| delay -# cmd pid ||||| time | caller -# \ / ||||| \ | / -ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 0us : try_to_wake_up (wake_up_process) -ksoftirq-7 1d.H4 1us : sub_preempt_count (marker_probe_cb) -ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 2us : check_preempt_wakeup (try_to_wake_up) -ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 3us : update_curr (check_preempt_wakeup) -ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 4us : calc_delta_mine (update_curr) -ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 5us : __resched_task (check_preempt_wakeup) -ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 6us : task_wake_up_rt (try_to_wake_up) -ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 7us : _spin_unlock_irqrestore (try_to_wake_up) -[...] -ksoftirq-7 1d.H2 17us : irq_exit (smp_apic_timer_interrupt) -ksoftirq-7 1d.H2 18us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) -ksoftirq-7 1d.s3 19us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) -ksoftirq-7 1..s2 20us : rcu_process_callbacks (__do_softirq) -[...] -ksoftirq-7 1..s2 26us : __rcu_process_callbacks (rcu_process_callbacks) -ksoftirq-7 1d.s2 27us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) -ksoftirq-7 1d.s2 28us : sub_preempt_count (_local_bh_enable) -ksoftirq-7 1.N.3 29us : sub_preempt_count (ksoftirqd) -ksoftirq-7 1.N.2 30us : _cond_resched (ksoftirqd) -ksoftirq-7 1.N.2 31us : __cond_resched (_cond_resched) -ksoftirq-7 1.N.2 32us : add_preempt_count (__cond_resched) -ksoftirq-7 1.N.2 33us : schedule (__cond_resched) -ksoftirq-7 1.N.2 33us : add_preempt_count (schedule) -ksoftirq-7 1.N.3 34us : hrtick_clear (schedule) -ksoftirq-7 1dN.3 35us : _spin_lock (schedule) -ksoftirq-7 1dN.3 36us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock) -ksoftirq-7 1d..4 37us : put_prev_task_fair (schedule) -ksoftirq-7 1d..4 38us : update_curr (put_prev_task_fair) -[...] -ksoftirq-7 1d..5 47us : _spin_trylock (tracing_record_cmdline) -ksoftirq-7 1d..5 48us : add_preempt_count (_spin_trylock) -ksoftirq-7 1d..6 49us : _spin_unlock (tracing_record_cmdline) -ksoftirq-7 1d..6 49us : sub_preempt_count (_spin_unlock) -ksoftirq-7 1d..4 50us : schedule (__cond_resched) - -The interrupt went off while running ksoftirqd. This task runs -at SCHED_OTHER. Why did not we see the 'N' set early? This may -be a harmless bug with x86_32 and 4K stacks. On x86_32 with 4K -stacks configured, the interrupt and softirq run with their own -stack. Some information is held on the top of the task's stack -(need_resched and preempt_count are both stored there). The -setting of the NEED_RESCHED bit is done directly to the task's -stack, but the reading of the NEED_RESCHED is done by looking at -the current stack, which in this case is the stack for the hard -interrupt. This hides the fact that NEED_RESCHED has been set. -We do not see the 'N' until we switch back to the task's -assigned stack. - -function --------- - -This tracer is the function tracer. Enabling the function tracer -can be done from the debug file system. Make sure the -ftrace_enabled is set; otherwise this tracer is a nop. - - # sysctl kernel.ftrace_enabled=1 - # echo function > /debug/tracing/current_tracer - # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # usleep 1 - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # cat /debug/tracing/trace -# tracer: function -# -# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION -# | | | | | - bash-4003 [00] 123.638713: finish_task_switch <-schedule - bash-4003 [00] 123.638714: _spin_unlock_irq <-finish_task_switch - bash-4003 [00] 123.638714: sub_preempt_count <-_spin_unlock_irq - bash-4003 [00] 123.638715: hrtick_set <-schedule - bash-4003 [00] 123.638715: _spin_lock_irqsave <-hrtick_set - bash-4003 [00] 123.638716: add_preempt_count <-_spin_lock_irqsave - bash-4003 [00] 123.638716: _spin_unlock_irqrestore <-hrtick_set - bash-4003 [00] 123.638717: sub_preempt_count <-_spin_unlock_irqrestore - bash-4003 [00] 123.638717: hrtick_clear <-hrtick_set - bash-4003 [00] 123.638718: sub_preempt_count <-schedule - bash-4003 [00] 123.638718: sub_preempt_count <-preempt_schedule - bash-4003 [00] 123.638719: wait_for_completion <-__stop_machine_run - bash-4003 [00] 123.638719: wait_for_common <-wait_for_completion - bash-4003 [00] 123.638720: _spin_lock_irq <-wait_for_common - bash-4003 [00] 123.638720: add_preempt_count <-_spin_lock_irq -[...] - - -Note: function tracer uses ring buffers to store the above -entries. The newest data may overwrite the oldest data. -Sometimes using echo to stop the trace is not sufficient because -the tracing could have overwritten the data that you wanted to -record. For this reason, it is sometimes better to disable -tracing directly from a program. This allows you to stop the -tracing at the point that you hit the part that you are -interested in. To disable the tracing directly from a C program, -something like following code snippet can be used: - -int trace_fd; -[...] -int main(int argc, char *argv[]) { - [...] - trace_fd = open("/debug/tracing/tracing_enabled", O_WRONLY); - [...] - if (condition_hit()) { - write(trace_fd, "0", 1); - } - [...] -} - -Note: Here we hard coded the path name. The debugfs mount is not -guaranteed to be at /debug (and is more commonly at -/sys/kernel/debug). For simple one time traces, the above is -sufficent. For anything else, a search through /proc/mounts may -be needed to find where the debugfs file-system is mounted. - - -Single thread tracing ---------------------- - -By writing into /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid you can trace a -single thread. For example: - -# cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid -no pid -# echo 3111 > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid -# cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid -3111 -# echo function > /debug/tracing/current_tracer -# cat /debug/tracing/trace | head - # tracer: function - # - # TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION - # | | | | | - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254676: finish_task_switch <-thread_return - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254681: hrtimer_cancel <-schedule_hrtimeout_range - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254682: hrtimer_try_to_cancel <-hrtimer_cancel - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254683: lock_hrtimer_base <-hrtimer_try_to_cancel - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254685: fget_light <-do_sys_poll - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254686: pipe_poll <-do_sys_poll -# echo -1 > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid -# cat /debug/tracing/trace |head - # tracer: function - # - # TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION - # | | | | | - ##### CPU 3 buffer started #### - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1701.957688: free_poll_entry <-poll_freewait - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1701.957689: remove_wait_queue <-free_poll_entry - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1701.957691: fput <-free_poll_entry - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1701.957692: audit_syscall_exit <-sysret_audit - yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1701.957693: path_put <-audit_syscall_exit - -If you want to trace a function when executing, you could use -something like this simple program: - -#include -#include -#include -#include -#include -#include - -int main (int argc, char **argv) -{ - if (argc < 1) - exit(-1); - - if (fork() > 0) { - int fd, ffd; - char line[64]; - int s; - - ffd = open("/debug/tracing/current_tracer", O_WRONLY); - if (ffd < 0) - exit(-1); - write(ffd, "nop", 3); - - fd = open("/debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid", O_WRONLY); - s = sprintf(line, "%d\n", getpid()); - write(fd, line, s); - - write(ffd, "function", 8); - - close(fd); - close(ffd); - - execvp(argv[1], argv+1); - } - - return 0; -} - - -hw-branch-tracer (x86 only) ---------------------------- - -This tracer uses the x86 last branch tracing hardware feature to -collect a branch trace on all cpus with relatively low overhead. - -The tracer uses a fixed-size circular buffer per cpu and only -traces ring 0 branches. The trace file dumps that buffer in the -following format: - -# tracer: hw-branch-tracer -# -# CPU# TO <- FROM - 0 scheduler_tick+0xb5/0x1bf <- task_tick_idle+0x5/0x6 - 2 run_posix_cpu_timers+0x2b/0x72a <- run_posix_cpu_timers+0x25/0x72a - 0 scheduler_tick+0x139/0x1bf <- scheduler_tick+0xed/0x1bf - 0 scheduler_tick+0x17c/0x1bf <- scheduler_tick+0x148/0x1bf - 2 run_posix_cpu_timers+0x9e/0x72a <- run_posix_cpu_timers+0x5e/0x72a - 0 scheduler_tick+0x1b6/0x1bf <- scheduler_tick+0x1aa/0x1bf - - -The tracer may be used to dump the trace for the oops'ing cpu on -a kernel oops into the system log. To enable this, -ftrace_dump_on_oops must be set. To set ftrace_dump_on_oops, one -can either use the sysctl function or set it via the proc system -interface. - - sysctl kernel.ftrace_dump_on_oops=1 - -or - - echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/ftrace_dump_on_oops - - -Here's an example of such a dump after a null pointer -dereference in a kernel module: - -[57848.105921] BUG: unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at 0000000000000000 -[57848.106019] IP: [] open+0x6/0x14 [oops] -[57848.106019] PGD 2354e9067 PUD 2375e7067 PMD 0 -[57848.106019] Oops: 0002 [#1] SMP -[57848.106019] last sysfs file: /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1e.0/0000:20:05.0/local_cpus -[57848.106019] Dumping ftrace buffer: -[57848.106019] --------------------------------- -[...] -[57848.106019] 0 chrdev_open+0xe6/0x165 <- cdev_put+0x23/0x24 -[57848.106019] 0 chrdev_open+0x117/0x165 <- chrdev_open+0xfa/0x165 -[57848.106019] 0 chrdev_open+0x120/0x165 <- chrdev_open+0x11c/0x165 -[57848.106019] 0 chrdev_open+0x134/0x165 <- chrdev_open+0x12b/0x165 -[57848.106019] 0 open+0x0/0x14 [oops] <- chrdev_open+0x144/0x165 -[57848.106019] 0 page_fault+0x0/0x30 <- open+0x6/0x14 [oops] -[57848.106019] 0 error_entry+0x0/0x5b <- page_fault+0x4/0x30 -[57848.106019] 0 error_kernelspace+0x0/0x31 <- error_entry+0x59/0x5b -[57848.106019] 0 error_sti+0x0/0x1 <- error_kernelspace+0x2d/0x31 -[57848.106019] 0 page_fault+0x9/0x30 <- error_sti+0x0/0x1 -[57848.106019] 0 do_page_fault+0x0/0x881 <- page_fault+0x1a/0x30 -[...] -[57848.106019] 0 do_page_fault+0x66b/0x881 <- is_prefetch+0x1ee/0x1f2 -[57848.106019] 0 do_page_fault+0x6e0/0x881 <- do_page_fault+0x67a/0x881 -[57848.106019] 0 oops_begin+0x0/0x96 <- do_page_fault+0x6e0/0x881 -[57848.106019] 0 trace_hw_branch_oops+0x0/0x2d <- oops_begin+0x9/0x96 -[...] -[57848.106019] 0 ds_suspend_bts+0x2a/0xe3 <- ds_suspend_bts+0x1a/0xe3 -[57848.106019] --------------------------------- -[57848.106019] CPU 0 -[57848.106019] Modules linked in: oops -[57848.106019] Pid: 5542, comm: cat Tainted: G W 2.6.28 #23 -[57848.106019] RIP: 0010:[] [] open+0x6/0x14 [oops] -[57848.106019] RSP: 0018:ffff880235457d48 EFLAGS: 00010246 -[...] - - -function graph tracer ---------------------------- - -This tracer is similar to the function tracer except that it -probes a function on its entry and its exit. This is done by -using a dynamically allocated stack of return addresses in each -task_struct. On function entry the tracer overwrites the return -address of each function traced to set a custom probe. Thus the -original return address is stored on the stack of return address -in the task_struct. - -Probing on both ends of a function leads to special features -such as: - -- measure of a function's time execution -- having a reliable call stack to draw function calls graph - -This tracer is useful in several situations: - -- you want to find the reason of a strange kernel behavior and - need to see what happens in detail on any areas (or specific - ones). - -- you are experiencing weird latencies but it's difficult to - find its origin. - -- you want to find quickly which path is taken by a specific - function - -- you just want to peek inside a working kernel and want to see - what happens there. - -# tracer: function_graph -# -# CPU DURATION FUNCTION CALLS -# | | | | | | | - - 0) | sys_open() { - 0) | do_sys_open() { - 0) | getname() { - 0) | kmem_cache_alloc() { - 0) 1.382 us | __might_sleep(); - 0) 2.478 us | } - 0) | strncpy_from_user() { - 0) | might_fault() { - 0) 1.389 us | __might_sleep(); - 0) 2.553 us | } - 0) 3.807 us | } - 0) 7.876 us | } - 0) | alloc_fd() { - 0) 0.668 us | _spin_lock(); - 0) 0.570 us | expand_files(); - 0) 0.586 us | _spin_unlock(); - - -There are several columns that can be dynamically -enabled/disabled. You can use every combination of options you -want, depending on your needs. - -- The cpu number on which the function executed is default - enabled. It is sometimes better to only trace one cpu (see - tracing_cpu_mask file) or you might sometimes see unordered - function calls while cpu tracing switch. - - hide: echo nofuncgraph-cpu > /debug/tracing/trace_options - show: echo funcgraph-cpu > /debug/tracing/trace_options - -- The duration (function's time of execution) is displayed on - the closing bracket line of a function or on the same line - than the current function in case of a leaf one. It is default - enabled. - - hide: echo nofuncgraph-duration > /debug/tracing/trace_options - show: echo funcgraph-duration > /debug/tracing/trace_options - -- The overhead field precedes the duration field in case of - reached duration thresholds. - - hide: echo nofuncgraph-overhead > /debug/tracing/trace_options - show: echo funcgraph-overhead > /debug/tracing/trace_options - depends on: funcgraph-duration - - ie: - - 0) | up_write() { - 0) 0.646 us | _spin_lock_irqsave(); - 0) 0.684 us | _spin_unlock_irqrestore(); - 0) 3.123 us | } - 0) 0.548 us | fput(); - 0) + 58.628 us | } - - [...] - - 0) | putname() { - 0) | kmem_cache_free() { - 0) 0.518 us | __phys_addr(); - 0) 1.757 us | } - 0) 2.861 us | } - 0) ! 115.305 us | } - 0) ! 116.402 us | } - - + means that the function exceeded 10 usecs. - ! means that the function exceeded 100 usecs. - - -- The task/pid field displays the thread cmdline and pid which - executed the function. It is default disabled. - - hide: echo nofuncgraph-proc > /debug/tracing/trace_options - show: echo funcgraph-proc > /debug/tracing/trace_options - - ie: - - # tracer: function_graph - # - # CPU TASK/PID DURATION FUNCTION CALLS - # | | | | | | | | | - 0) sh-4802 | | d_free() { - 0) sh-4802 | | call_rcu() { - 0) sh-4802 | | __call_rcu() { - 0) sh-4802 | 0.616 us | rcu_process_gp_end(); - 0) sh-4802 | 0.586 us | check_for_new_grace_period(); - 0) sh-4802 | 2.899 us | } - 0) sh-4802 | 4.040 us | } - 0) sh-4802 | 5.151 us | } - 0) sh-4802 | + 49.370 us | } - - -- The absolute time field is an absolute timestamp given by the - system clock since it started. A snapshot of this time is - given on each entry/exit of functions - - hide: echo nofuncgraph-abstime > /debug/tracing/trace_options - show: echo funcgraph-abstime > /debug/tracing/trace_options - - ie: - - # - # TIME CPU DURATION FUNCTION CALLS - # | | | | | | | | - 360.774522 | 1) 0.541 us | } - 360.774522 | 1) 4.663 us | } - 360.774523 | 1) 0.541 us | __wake_up_bit(); - 360.774524 | 1) 6.796 us | } - 360.774524 | 1) 7.952 us | } - 360.774525 | 1) 9.063 us | } - 360.774525 | 1) 0.615 us | journal_mark_dirty(); - 360.774527 | 1) 0.578 us | __brelse(); - 360.774528 | 1) | reiserfs_prepare_for_journal() { - 360.774528 | 1) | unlock_buffer() { - 360.774529 | 1) | wake_up_bit() { - 360.774529 | 1) | bit_waitqueue() { - 360.774530 | 1) 0.594 us | __phys_addr(); - - -You can put some comments on specific functions by using -trace_printk() For example, if you want to put a comment inside -the __might_sleep() function, you just have to include - and call trace_printk() inside __might_sleep() - -trace_printk("I'm a comment!\n") - -will produce: - - 1) | __might_sleep() { - 1) | /* I'm a comment! */ - 1) 1.449 us | } - - -You might find other useful features for this tracer in the -following "dynamic ftrace" section such as tracing only specific -functions or tasks. - -dynamic ftrace --------------- - -If CONFIG_DYNAMIC_FTRACE is set, the system will run with -virtually no overhead when function tracing is disabled. The way -this works is the mcount function call (placed at the start of -every kernel function, produced by the -pg switch in gcc), -starts of pointing to a simple return. (Enabling FTRACE will -include the -pg switch in the compiling of the kernel.) - -At compile time every C file object is run through the -recordmcount.pl script (located in the scripts directory). This -script will process the C object using objdump to find all the -locations in the .text section that call mcount. (Note, only the -.text section is processed, since processing other sections like -.init.text may cause races due to those sections being freed). - -A new section called "__mcount_loc" is created that holds -references to all the mcount call sites in the .text section. -This section is compiled back into the original object. The -final linker will add all these references into a single table. - -On boot up, before SMP is initialized, the dynamic ftrace code -scans this table and updates all the locations into nops. It -also records the locations, which are added to the -available_filter_functions list. Modules are processed as they -are loaded and before they are executed. When a module is -unloaded, it also removes its functions from the ftrace function -list. This is automatic in the module unload code, and the -module author does not need to worry about it. - -When tracing is enabled, kstop_machine is called to prevent -races with the CPUS executing code being modified (which can -cause the CPU to do undesireable things), and the nops are -patched back to calls. But this time, they do not call mcount -(which is just a function stub). They now call into the ftrace -infrastructure. - -One special side-effect to the recording of the functions being -traced is that we can now selectively choose which functions we -wish to trace and which ones we want the mcount calls to remain -as nops. - -Two files are used, one for enabling and one for disabling the -tracing of specified functions. They are: - - set_ftrace_filter - -and - - set_ftrace_notrace - -A list of available functions that you can add to these files is -listed in: - - available_filter_functions - - # cat /debug/tracing/available_filter_functions -put_prev_task_idle -kmem_cache_create -pick_next_task_rt -get_online_cpus -pick_next_task_fair -mutex_lock -[...] - -If I am only interested in sys_nanosleep and hrtimer_interrupt: - - # echo sys_nanosleep hrtimer_interrupt \ - > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter - # echo ftrace > /debug/tracing/current_tracer - # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # usleep 1 - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # cat /debug/tracing/trace -# tracer: ftrace -# -# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION -# | | | | | - usleep-4134 [00] 1317.070017: hrtimer_interrupt <-smp_apic_timer_interrupt - usleep-4134 [00] 1317.070111: sys_nanosleep <-syscall_call - -0 [00] 1317.070115: hrtimer_interrupt <-smp_apic_timer_interrupt - -To see which functions are being traced, you can cat the file: - - # cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter -hrtimer_interrupt -sys_nanosleep - - -Perhaps this is not enough. The filters also allow simple wild -cards. Only the following are currently available - - * - will match functions that begin with - * - will match functions that end with - ** - will match functions that have in it - -These are the only wild cards which are supported. - - * will not work. - -Note: It is better to use quotes to enclose the wild cards, - otherwise the shell may expand the parameters into names - of files in the local directory. - - # echo 'hrtimer_*' > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter - -Produces: - -# tracer: ftrace -# -# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION -# | | | | | - bash-4003 [00] 1480.611794: hrtimer_init <-copy_process - bash-4003 [00] 1480.611941: hrtimer_start <-hrtick_set - bash-4003 [00] 1480.611956: hrtimer_cancel <-hrtick_clear - bash-4003 [00] 1480.611956: hrtimer_try_to_cancel <-hrtimer_cancel - -0 [00] 1480.612019: hrtimer_get_next_event <-get_next_timer_interrupt - -0 [00] 1480.612025: hrtimer_get_next_event <-get_next_timer_interrupt - -0 [00] 1480.612032: hrtimer_get_next_event <-get_next_timer_interrupt - -0 [00] 1480.612037: hrtimer_get_next_event <-get_next_timer_interrupt - -0 [00] 1480.612382: hrtimer_get_next_event <-get_next_timer_interrupt - - -Notice that we lost the sys_nanosleep. - - # cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter -hrtimer_run_queues -hrtimer_run_pending -hrtimer_init -hrtimer_cancel -hrtimer_try_to_cancel -hrtimer_forward -hrtimer_start -hrtimer_reprogram -hrtimer_force_reprogram -hrtimer_get_next_event -hrtimer_interrupt -hrtimer_nanosleep -hrtimer_wakeup -hrtimer_get_remaining -hrtimer_get_res -hrtimer_init_sleeper - - -This is because the '>' and '>>' act just like they do in bash. -To rewrite the filters, use '>' -To append to the filters, use '>>' - -To clear out a filter so that all functions will be recorded -again: - - # echo > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter - # cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter - # - -Again, now we want to append. - - # echo sys_nanosleep > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter - # cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter -sys_nanosleep - # echo 'hrtimer_*' >> /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter - # cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter -hrtimer_run_queues -hrtimer_run_pending -hrtimer_init -hrtimer_cancel -hrtimer_try_to_cancel -hrtimer_forward -hrtimer_start -hrtimer_reprogram -hrtimer_force_reprogram -hrtimer_get_next_event -hrtimer_interrupt -sys_nanosleep -hrtimer_nanosleep -hrtimer_wakeup -hrtimer_get_remaining -hrtimer_get_res -hrtimer_init_sleeper - - -The set_ftrace_notrace prevents those functions from being -traced. - - # echo '*preempt*' '*lock*' > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_notrace - -Produces: - -# tracer: ftrace -# -# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION -# | | | | | - bash-4043 [01] 115.281644: finish_task_switch <-schedule - bash-4043 [01] 115.281645: hrtick_set <-schedule - bash-4043 [01] 115.281645: hrtick_clear <-hrtick_set - bash-4043 [01] 115.281646: wait_for_completion <-__stop_machine_run - bash-4043 [01] 115.281647: wait_for_common <-wait_for_completion - bash-4043 [01] 115.281647: kthread_stop <-stop_machine_run - bash-4043 [01] 115.281648: init_waitqueue_head <-kthread_stop - bash-4043 [01] 115.281648: wake_up_process <-kthread_stop - bash-4043 [01] 115.281649: try_to_wake_up <-wake_up_process - -We can see that there's no more lock or preempt tracing. - - -Dynamic ftrace with the function graph tracer ---------------------------------------------- - -Although what has been explained above concerns both the -function tracer and the function-graph-tracer, there are some -special features only available in the function-graph tracer. - -If you want to trace only one function and all of its children, -you just have to echo its name into set_graph_function: - - echo __do_fault > set_graph_function - -will produce the following "expanded" trace of the __do_fault() -function: - - 0) | __do_fault() { - 0) | filemap_fault() { - 0) | find_lock_page() { - 0) 0.804 us | find_get_page(); - 0) | __might_sleep() { - 0) 1.329 us | } - 0) 3.904 us | } - 0) 4.979 us | } - 0) 0.653 us | _spin_lock(); - 0) 0.578 us | page_add_file_rmap(); - 0) 0.525 us | native_set_pte_at(); - 0) 0.585 us | _spin_unlock(); - 0) | unlock_page() { - 0) 0.541 us | page_waitqueue(); - 0) 0.639 us | __wake_up_bit(); - 0) 2.786 us | } - 0) + 14.237 us | } - 0) | __do_fault() { - 0) | filemap_fault() { - 0) | find_lock_page() { - 0) 0.698 us | find_get_page(); - 0) | __might_sleep() { - 0) 1.412 us | } - 0) 3.950 us | } - 0) 5.098 us | } - 0) 0.631 us | _spin_lock(); - 0) 0.571 us | page_add_file_rmap(); - 0) 0.526 us | native_set_pte_at(); - 0) 0.586 us | _spin_unlock(); - 0) | unlock_page() { - 0) 0.533 us | page_waitqueue(); - 0) 0.638 us | __wake_up_bit(); - 0) 2.793 us | } - 0) + 14.012 us | } - -You can also expand several functions at once: - - echo sys_open > set_graph_function - echo sys_close >> set_graph_function - -Now if you want to go back to trace all functions you can clear -this special filter via: - - echo > set_graph_function - - -trace_pipe ----------- - -The trace_pipe outputs the same content as the trace file, but -the effect on the tracing is different. Every read from -trace_pipe is consumed. This means that subsequent reads will be -different. The trace is live. - - # echo function > /debug/tracing/current_tracer - # cat /debug/tracing/trace_pipe > /tmp/trace.out & -[1] 4153 - # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # usleep 1 - # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled - # cat /debug/tracing/trace -# tracer: function -# -# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION -# | | | | | - - # - # cat /tmp/trace.out - bash-4043 [00] 41.267106: finish_task_switch <-schedule - bash-4043 [00] 41.267106: hrtick_set <-schedule - bash-4043 [00] 41.267107: hrtick_clear <-hrtick_set - bash-4043 [00] 41.267108: wait_for_completion <-__stop_machine_run - bash-4043 [00] 41.267108: wait_for_common <-wait_for_completion - bash-4043 [00] 41.267109: kthread_stop <-stop_machine_run - bash-4043 [00] 41.267109: init_waitqueue_head <-kthread_stop - bash-4043 [00] 41.267110: wake_up_process <-kthread_stop - bash-4043 [00] 41.267110: try_to_wake_up <-wake_up_process - bash-4043 [00] 41.267111: select_task_rq_rt <-try_to_wake_up - - -Note, reading the trace_pipe file will block until more input is -added. By changing the tracer, trace_pipe will issue an EOF. We -needed to set the function tracer _before_ we "cat" the -trace_pipe file. - - -trace entries -------------- - -Having too much or not enough data can be troublesome in -diagnosing an issue in the kernel. The file buffer_size_kb is -used to modify the size of the internal trace buffers. The -number listed is the number of entries that can be recorded per -CPU. To know the full size, multiply the number of possible CPUS -with the number of entries. - - # cat /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb -1408 (units kilobytes) - -Note, to modify this, you must have tracing completely disabled. -To do that, echo "nop" into the current_tracer. If the -current_tracer is not set to "nop", an EINVAL error will be -returned. - - # echo nop > /debug/tracing/current_tracer - # echo 10000 > /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb - # cat /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb -10000 (units kilobytes) - -The number of pages which will be allocated is limited to a -percentage of available memory. Allocating too much will produce -an error. - - # echo 1000000000000 > /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb --bash: echo: write error: Cannot allocate memory - # cat /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb -85 - ------------ - -More details can be found in the source code, in the -kernel/tracing/*.c files. diff --git a/Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt b/Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..fd9a3e693813 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1828 @@ + ftrace - Function Tracer + ======================== + +Copyright 2008 Red Hat Inc. + Author: Steven Rostedt + License: The GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 + (dual licensed under the GPL v2) +Reviewers: Elias Oltmanns, Randy Dunlap, Andrew Morton, + John Kacur, and David Teigland. + +Written for: 2.6.28-rc2 + +Introduction +------------ + +Ftrace is an internal tracer designed to help out developers and +designers of systems to find what is going on inside the kernel. +It can be used for debugging or analyzing latencies and +performance issues that take place outside of user-space. + +Although ftrace is the function tracer, it also includes an +infrastructure that allows for other types of tracing. Some of +the tracers that are currently in ftrace include a tracer to +trace context switches, the time it takes for a high priority +task to run after it was woken up, the time interrupts are +disabled, and more (ftrace allows for tracer plugins, which +means that the list of tracers can always grow). + + +The File System +--------------- + +Ftrace uses the debugfs file system to hold the control files as +well as the files to display output. + +To mount the debugfs system: + + # mkdir /debug + # mount -t debugfs nodev /debug + +( Note: it is more common to mount at /sys/kernel/debug, but for + simplicity this document will use /debug) + +That's it! (assuming that you have ftrace configured into your kernel) + +After mounting the debugfs, you can see a directory called +"tracing". This directory contains the control and output files +of ftrace. Here is a list of some of the key files: + + + Note: all time values are in microseconds. + + current_tracer: + + This is used to set or display the current tracer + that is configured. + + available_tracers: + + This holds the different types of tracers that + have been compiled into the kernel. The + tracers listed here can be configured by + echoing their name into current_tracer. + + tracing_enabled: + + This sets or displays whether the current_tracer + is activated and tracing or not. Echo 0 into this + file to disable the tracer or 1 to enable it. + + trace: + + This file holds the output of the trace in a human + readable format (described below). + + latency_trace: + + This file shows the same trace but the information + is organized more to display possible latencies + in the system (described below). + + trace_pipe: + + The output is the same as the "trace" file but this + file is meant to be streamed with live tracing. + Reads from this file will block until new data + is retrieved. Unlike the "trace" and "latency_trace" + files, this file is a consumer. This means reading + from this file causes sequential reads to display + more current data. Once data is read from this + file, it is consumed, and will not be read + again with a sequential read. The "trace" and + "latency_trace" files are static, and if the + tracer is not adding more data, they will display + the same information every time they are read. + + trace_options: + + This file lets the user control the amount of data + that is displayed in one of the above output + files. + + tracing_max_latency: + + Some of the tracers record the max latency. + For example, the time interrupts are disabled. + This time is saved in this file. The max trace + will also be stored, and displayed by either + "trace" or "latency_trace". A new max trace will + only be recorded if the latency is greater than + the value in this file. (in microseconds) + + buffer_size_kb: + + This sets or displays the number of kilobytes each CPU + buffer can hold. The tracer buffers are the same size + for each CPU. The displayed number is the size of the + CPU buffer and not total size of all buffers. The + trace buffers are allocated in pages (blocks of memory + that the kernel uses for allocation, usually 4 KB in size). + If the last page allocated has room for more bytes + than requested, the rest of the page will be used, + making the actual allocation bigger than requested. + ( Note, the size may not be a multiple of the page size + due to buffer managment overhead. ) + + This can only be updated when the current_tracer + is set to "nop". + + tracing_cpumask: + + This is a mask that lets the user only trace + on specified CPUS. The format is a hex string + representing the CPUS. + + set_ftrace_filter: + + When dynamic ftrace is configured in (see the + section below "dynamic ftrace"), the code is dynamically + modified (code text rewrite) to disable calling of the + function profiler (mcount). This lets tracing be configured + in with practically no overhead in performance. This also + has a side effect of enabling or disabling specific functions + to be traced. Echoing names of functions into this file + will limit the trace to only those functions. + + set_ftrace_notrace: + + This has an effect opposite to that of + set_ftrace_filter. Any function that is added here will not + be traced. If a function exists in both set_ftrace_filter + and set_ftrace_notrace, the function will _not_ be traced. + + set_ftrace_pid: + + Have the function tracer only trace a single thread. + + set_graph_function: + + Set a "trigger" function where tracing should start + with the function graph tracer (See the section + "dynamic ftrace" for more details). + + available_filter_functions: + + This lists the functions that ftrace + has processed and can trace. These are the function + names that you can pass to "set_ftrace_filter" or + "set_ftrace_notrace". (See the section "dynamic ftrace" + below for more details.) + + +The Tracers +----------- + +Here is the list of current tracers that may be configured. + + "function" + + Function call tracer to trace all kernel functions. + + "function_graph_tracer" + + Similar to the function tracer except that the + function tracer probes the functions on their entry + whereas the function graph tracer traces on both entry + and exit of the functions. It then provides the ability + to draw a graph of function calls similar to C code + source. + + "sched_switch" + + Traces the context switches and wakeups between tasks. + + "irqsoff" + + Traces the areas that disable interrupts and saves + the trace with the longest max latency. + See tracing_max_latency. When a new max is recorded, + it replaces the old trace. It is best to view this + trace via the latency_trace file. + + "preemptoff" + + Similar to irqsoff but traces and records the amount of + time for which preemption is disabled. + + "preemptirqsoff" + + Similar to irqsoff and preemptoff, but traces and + records the largest time for which irqs and/or preemption + is disabled. + + "wakeup" + + Traces and records the max latency that it takes for + the highest priority task to get scheduled after + it has been woken up. + + "hw-branch-tracer" + + Uses the BTS CPU feature on x86 CPUs to traces all + branches executed. + + "nop" + + This is the "trace nothing" tracer. To remove all + tracers from tracing simply echo "nop" into + current_tracer. + + +Examples of using the tracer +---------------------------- + +Here are typical examples of using the tracers when controlling +them only with the debugfs interface (without using any +user-land utilities). + +Output format: +-------------- + +Here is an example of the output format of the file "trace" + + -------- +# tracer: function +# +# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION +# | | | | | + bash-4251 [01] 10152.583854: path_put <-path_walk + bash-4251 [01] 10152.583855: dput <-path_put + bash-4251 [01] 10152.583855: _atomic_dec_and_lock <-dput + -------- + +A header is printed with the tracer name that is represented by +the trace. In this case the tracer is "function". Then a header +showing the format. Task name "bash", the task PID "4251", the +CPU that it was running on "01", the timestamp in . +format, the function name that was traced "path_put" and the +parent function that called this function "path_walk". The +timestamp is the time at which the function was entered. + +The sched_switch tracer also includes tracing of task wakeups +and context switches. + + ksoftirqd/1-7 [01] 1453.070013: 7:115:R + 2916:115:S + ksoftirqd/1-7 [01] 1453.070013: 7:115:R + 10:115:S + ksoftirqd/1-7 [01] 1453.070013: 7:115:R ==> 10:115:R + events/1-10 [01] 1453.070013: 10:115:S ==> 2916:115:R + kondemand/1-2916 [01] 1453.070013: 2916:115:S ==> 7:115:R + ksoftirqd/1-7 [01] 1453.070013: 7:115:S ==> 0:140:R + +Wake ups are represented by a "+" and the context switches are +shown as "==>". The format is: + + Context switches: + + Previous task Next Task + + :: ==> :: + + Wake ups: + + Current task Task waking up + + :: + :: + +The prio is the internal kernel priority, which is the inverse +of the priority that is usually displayed by user-space tools. +Zero represents the highest priority (99). Prio 100 starts the +"nice" priorities with 100 being equal to nice -20 and 139 being +nice 19. The prio "140" is reserved for the idle task which is +the lowest priority thread (pid 0). + + +Latency trace format +-------------------- + +For traces that display latency times, the latency_trace file +gives somewhat more information to see why a latency happened. +Here is a typical trace. + +# tracer: irqsoff +# +irqsoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 +-------------------------------------------------------------------- + latency: 97 us, #3/3, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) + ----------------- + | task: swapper-0 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) + ----------------- + => started at: apic_timer_interrupt + => ended at: do_softirq + +# _------=> CPU# +# / _-----=> irqs-off +# | / _----=> need-resched +# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq +# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth +# |||| / +# ||||| delay +# cmd pid ||||| time | caller +# \ / ||||| \ | / + -0 0d..1 0us+: trace_hardirqs_off_thunk (apic_timer_interrupt) + -0 0d.s. 97us : __do_softirq (do_softirq) + -0 0d.s1 98us : trace_hardirqs_on (do_softirq) + + +This shows that the current tracer is "irqsoff" tracing the time +for which interrupts were disabled. It gives the trace version +and the version of the kernel upon which this was executed on +(2.6.26-rc8). Then it displays the max latency in microsecs (97 +us). The number of trace entries displayed and the total number +recorded (both are three: #3/3). The type of preemption that was +used (PREEMPT). VP, KP, SP, and HP are always zero and are +reserved for later use. #P is the number of online CPUS (#P:2). + +The task is the process that was running when the latency +occurred. (swapper pid: 0). + +The start and stop (the functions in which the interrupts were +disabled and enabled respectively) that caused the latencies: + + apic_timer_interrupt is where the interrupts were disabled. + do_softirq is where they were enabled again. + +The next lines after the header are the trace itself. The header +explains which is which. + + cmd: The name of the process in the trace. + + pid: The PID of that process. + + CPU#: The CPU which the process was running on. + + irqs-off: 'd' interrupts are disabled. '.' otherwise. + Note: If the architecture does not support a way to + read the irq flags variable, an 'X' will always + be printed here. + + need-resched: 'N' task need_resched is set, '.' otherwise. + + hardirq/softirq: + 'H' - hard irq occurred inside a softirq. + 'h' - hard irq is running + 's' - soft irq is running + '.' - normal context. + + preempt-depth: The level of preempt_disabled + +The above is mostly meaningful for kernel developers. + + time: This differs from the trace file output. The trace file output + includes an absolute timestamp. The timestamp used by the + latency_trace file is relative to the start of the trace. + + delay: This is just to help catch your eye a bit better. And + needs to be fixed to be only relative to the same CPU. + The marks are determined by the difference between this + current trace and the next trace. + '!' - greater than preempt_mark_thresh (default 100) + '+' - greater than 1 microsecond + ' ' - less than or equal to 1 microsecond. + + The rest is the same as the 'trace' file. + + +trace_options +------------- + +The trace_options file is used to control what gets printed in +the trace output. To see what is available, simply cat the file: + + cat /debug/tracing/trace_options + print-parent nosym-offset nosym-addr noverbose noraw nohex nobin \ + noblock nostacktrace nosched-tree nouserstacktrace nosym-userobj + +To disable one of the options, echo in the option prepended with +"no". + + echo noprint-parent > /debug/tracing/trace_options + +To enable an option, leave off the "no". + + echo sym-offset > /debug/tracing/trace_options + +Here are the available options: + + print-parent - On function traces, display the calling (parent) + function as well as the function being traced. + + print-parent: + bash-4000 [01] 1477.606694: simple_strtoul <-strict_strtoul + + noprint-parent: + bash-4000 [01] 1477.606694: simple_strtoul + + + sym-offset - Display not only the function name, but also the + offset in the function. For example, instead of + seeing just "ktime_get", you will see + "ktime_get+0xb/0x20". + + sym-offset: + bash-4000 [01] 1477.606694: simple_strtoul+0x6/0xa0 + + sym-addr - this will also display the function address as well + as the function name. + + sym-addr: + bash-4000 [01] 1477.606694: simple_strtoul + + verbose - This deals with the latency_trace file. + + bash 4000 1 0 00000000 00010a95 [58127d26] 1720.415ms \ + (+0.000ms): simple_strtoul (strict_strtoul) + + raw - This will display raw numbers. This option is best for + use with user applications that can translate the raw + numbers better than having it done in the kernel. + + hex - Similar to raw, but the numbers will be in a hexadecimal + format. + + bin - This will print out the formats in raw binary. + + block - TBD (needs update) + + stacktrace - This is one of the options that changes the trace + itself. When a trace is recorded, so is the stack + of functions. This allows for back traces of + trace sites. + + userstacktrace - This option changes the trace. It records a + stacktrace of the current userspace thread. + + sym-userobj - when user stacktrace are enabled, look up which + object the address belongs to, and print a + relative address. This is especially useful when + ASLR is on, otherwise you don't get a chance to + resolve the address to object/file/line after + the app is no longer running + + The lookup is performed when you read + trace,trace_pipe,latency_trace. Example: + + a.out-1623 [000] 40874.465068: /root/a.out[+0x480] <-/root/a.out[+0 +x494] <- /root/a.out[+0x4a8] <- /lib/libc-2.7.so[+0x1e1a6] + + sched-tree - trace all tasks that are on the runqueue, at + every scheduling event. Will add overhead if + there's a lot of tasks running at once. + + +sched_switch +------------ + +This tracer simply records schedule switches. Here is an example +of how to use it. + + # echo sched_switch > /debug/tracing/current_tracer + # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # sleep 1 + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # cat /debug/tracing/trace + +# tracer: sched_switch +# +# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION +# | | | | | + bash-3997 [01] 240.132281: 3997:120:R + 4055:120:R + bash-3997 [01] 240.132284: 3997:120:R ==> 4055:120:R + sleep-4055 [01] 240.132371: 4055:120:S ==> 3997:120:R + bash-3997 [01] 240.132454: 3997:120:R + 4055:120:S + bash-3997 [01] 240.132457: 3997:120:R ==> 4055:120:R + sleep-4055 [01] 240.132460: 4055:120:D ==> 3997:120:R + bash-3997 [01] 240.132463: 3997:120:R + 4055:120:D + bash-3997 [01] 240.132465: 3997:120:R ==> 4055:120:R + -0 [00] 240.132589: 0:140:R + 4:115:S + -0 [00] 240.132591: 0:140:R ==> 4:115:R + ksoftirqd/0-4 [00] 240.132595: 4:115:S ==> 0:140:R + -0 [00] 240.132598: 0:140:R + 4:115:S + -0 [00] 240.132599: 0:140:R ==> 4:115:R + ksoftirqd/0-4 [00] 240.132603: 4:115:S ==> 0:140:R + sleep-4055 [01] 240.133058: 4055:120:S ==> 3997:120:R + [...] + + +As we have discussed previously about this format, the header +shows the name of the trace and points to the options. The +"FUNCTION" is a misnomer since here it represents the wake ups +and context switches. + +The sched_switch file only lists the wake ups (represented with +'+') and context switches ('==>') with the previous task or +current task first followed by the next task or task waking up. +The format for both of these is PID:KERNEL-PRIO:TASK-STATE. +Remember that the KERNEL-PRIO is the inverse of the actual +priority with zero (0) being the highest priority and the nice +values starting at 100 (nice -20). Below is a quick chart to map +the kernel priority to user land priorities. + + Kernel priority: 0 to 99 ==> user RT priority 99 to 0 + Kernel priority: 100 to 139 ==> user nice -20 to 19 + Kernel priority: 140 ==> idle task priority + +The task states are: + + R - running : wants to run, may not actually be running + S - sleep : process is waiting to be woken up (handles signals) + D - disk sleep (uninterruptible sleep) : process must be woken up + (ignores signals) + T - stopped : process suspended + t - traced : process is being traced (with something like gdb) + Z - zombie : process waiting to be cleaned up + X - unknown + + +ftrace_enabled +-------------- + +The following tracers (listed below) give different output +depending on whether or not the sysctl ftrace_enabled is set. To +set ftrace_enabled, one can either use the sysctl function or +set it via the proc file system interface. + + sysctl kernel.ftrace_enabled=1 + + or + + echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/ftrace_enabled + +To disable ftrace_enabled simply replace the '1' with '0' in the +above commands. + +When ftrace_enabled is set the tracers will also record the +functions that are within the trace. The descriptions of the +tracers will also show an example with ftrace enabled. + + +irqsoff +------- + +When interrupts are disabled, the CPU can not react to any other +external event (besides NMIs and SMIs). This prevents the timer +interrupt from triggering or the mouse interrupt from letting +the kernel know of a new mouse event. The result is a latency +with the reaction time. + +The irqsoff tracer tracks the time for which interrupts are +disabled. When a new maximum latency is hit, the tracer saves +the trace leading up to that latency point so that every time a +new maximum is reached, the old saved trace is discarded and the +new trace is saved. + +To reset the maximum, echo 0 into tracing_max_latency. Here is +an example: + + # echo irqsoff > /debug/tracing/current_tracer + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_max_latency + # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # ls -ltr + [...] + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # cat /debug/tracing/latency_trace +# tracer: irqsoff +# +irqsoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26 +-------------------------------------------------------------------- + latency: 12 us, #3/3, CPU#1 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) + ----------------- + | task: bash-3730 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) + ----------------- + => started at: sys_setpgid + => ended at: sys_setpgid + +# _------=> CPU# +# / _-----=> irqs-off +# | / _----=> need-resched +# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq +# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth +# |||| / +# ||||| delay +# cmd pid ||||| time | caller +# \ / ||||| \ | / + bash-3730 1d... 0us : _write_lock_irq (sys_setpgid) + bash-3730 1d..1 1us+: _write_unlock_irq (sys_setpgid) + bash-3730 1d..2 14us : trace_hardirqs_on (sys_setpgid) + + +Here we see that that we had a latency of 12 microsecs (which is +very good). The _write_lock_irq in sys_setpgid disabled +interrupts. The difference between the 12 and the displayed +timestamp 14us occurred because the clock was incremented +between the time of recording the max latency and the time of +recording the function that had that latency. + +Note the above example had ftrace_enabled not set. If we set the +ftrace_enabled, we get a much larger output: + +# tracer: irqsoff +# +irqsoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 +-------------------------------------------------------------------- + latency: 50 us, #101/101, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) + ----------------- + | task: ls-4339 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) + ----------------- + => started at: __alloc_pages_internal + => ended at: __alloc_pages_internal + +# _------=> CPU# +# / _-----=> irqs-off +# | / _----=> need-resched +# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq +# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth +# |||| / +# ||||| delay +# cmd pid ||||| time | caller +# \ / ||||| \ | / + ls-4339 0...1 0us+: get_page_from_freelist (__alloc_pages_internal) + ls-4339 0d..1 3us : rmqueue_bulk (get_page_from_freelist) + ls-4339 0d..1 3us : _spin_lock (rmqueue_bulk) + ls-4339 0d..1 4us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock) + ls-4339 0d..2 4us : __rmqueue (rmqueue_bulk) + ls-4339 0d..2 5us : __rmqueue_smallest (__rmqueue) + ls-4339 0d..2 5us : __mod_zone_page_state (__rmqueue_smallest) + ls-4339 0d..2 6us : __rmqueue (rmqueue_bulk) + ls-4339 0d..2 6us : __rmqueue_smallest (__rmqueue) + ls-4339 0d..2 7us : __mod_zone_page_state (__rmqueue_smallest) + ls-4339 0d..2 7us : __rmqueue (rmqueue_bulk) + ls-4339 0d..2 8us : __rmqueue_smallest (__rmqueue) +[...] + ls-4339 0d..2 46us : __rmqueue_smallest (__rmqueue) + ls-4339 0d..2 47us : __mod_zone_page_state (__rmqueue_smallest) + ls-4339 0d..2 47us : __rmqueue (rmqueue_bulk) + ls-4339 0d..2 48us : __rmqueue_smallest (__rmqueue) + ls-4339 0d..2 48us : __mod_zone_page_state (__rmqueue_smallest) + ls-4339 0d..2 49us : _spin_unlock (rmqueue_bulk) + ls-4339 0d..2 49us : sub_preempt_count (_spin_unlock) + ls-4339 0d..1 50us : get_page_from_freelist (__alloc_pages_internal) + ls-4339 0d..2 51us : trace_hardirqs_on (__alloc_pages_internal) + + + +Here we traced a 50 microsecond latency. But we also see all the +functions that were called during that time. Note that by +enabling function tracing, we incur an added overhead. This +overhead may extend the latency times. But nevertheless, this +trace has provided some very helpful debugging information. + + +preemptoff +---------- + +When preemption is disabled, we may be able to receive +interrupts but the task cannot be preempted and a higher +priority task must wait for preemption to be enabled again +before it can preempt a lower priority task. + +The preemptoff tracer traces the places that disable preemption. +Like the irqsoff tracer, it records the maximum latency for +which preemption was disabled. The control of preemptoff tracer +is much like the irqsoff tracer. + + # echo preemptoff > /debug/tracing/current_tracer + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_max_latency + # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # ls -ltr + [...] + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # cat /debug/tracing/latency_trace +# tracer: preemptoff +# +preemptoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 +-------------------------------------------------------------------- + latency: 29 us, #3/3, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) + ----------------- + | task: sshd-4261 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) + ----------------- + => started at: do_IRQ + => ended at: __do_softirq + +# _------=> CPU# +# / _-----=> irqs-off +# | / _----=> need-resched +# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq +# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth +# |||| / +# ||||| delay +# cmd pid ||||| time | caller +# \ / ||||| \ | / + sshd-4261 0d.h. 0us+: irq_enter (do_IRQ) + sshd-4261 0d.s. 29us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) + sshd-4261 0d.s1 30us : trace_preempt_on (__do_softirq) + + +This has some more changes. Preemption was disabled when an +interrupt came in (notice the 'h'), and was enabled while doing +a softirq. (notice the 's'). But we also see that interrupts +have been disabled when entering the preempt off section and +leaving it (the 'd'). We do not know if interrupts were enabled +in the mean time. + +# tracer: preemptoff +# +preemptoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 +-------------------------------------------------------------------- + latency: 63 us, #87/87, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) + ----------------- + | task: sshd-4261 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) + ----------------- + => started at: remove_wait_queue + => ended at: __do_softirq + +# _------=> CPU# +# / _-----=> irqs-off +# | / _----=> need-resched +# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq +# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth +# |||| / +# ||||| delay +# cmd pid ||||| time | caller +# \ / ||||| \ | / + sshd-4261 0d..1 0us : _spin_lock_irqsave (remove_wait_queue) + sshd-4261 0d..1 1us : _spin_unlock_irqrestore (remove_wait_queue) + sshd-4261 0d..1 2us : do_IRQ (common_interrupt) + sshd-4261 0d..1 2us : irq_enter (do_IRQ) + sshd-4261 0d..1 2us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) + sshd-4261 0d..1 3us : add_preempt_count (irq_enter) + sshd-4261 0d.h1 3us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) + sshd-4261 0d.h. 4us : handle_fasteoi_irq (do_IRQ) +[...] + sshd-4261 0d.h. 12us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock) + sshd-4261 0d.h1 12us : ack_ioapic_quirk_irq (handle_fasteoi_irq) + sshd-4261 0d.h1 13us : move_native_irq (ack_ioapic_quirk_irq) + sshd-4261 0d.h1 13us : _spin_unlock (handle_fasteoi_irq) + sshd-4261 0d.h1 14us : sub_preempt_count (_spin_unlock) + sshd-4261 0d.h1 14us : irq_exit (do_IRQ) + sshd-4261 0d.h1 15us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) + sshd-4261 0d..2 15us : do_softirq (irq_exit) + sshd-4261 0d... 15us : __do_softirq (do_softirq) + sshd-4261 0d... 16us : __local_bh_disable (__do_softirq) + sshd-4261 0d... 16us+: add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) + sshd-4261 0d.s4 20us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) + sshd-4261 0d.s4 21us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable) + sshd-4261 0d.s5 21us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable) +[...] + sshd-4261 0d.s6 41us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) + sshd-4261 0d.s6 42us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable) + sshd-4261 0d.s7 42us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable) + sshd-4261 0d.s5 43us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) + sshd-4261 0d.s5 43us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable_ip) + sshd-4261 0d.s6 44us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable_ip) + sshd-4261 0d.s5 44us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) + sshd-4261 0d.s5 45us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable) +[...] + sshd-4261 0d.s. 63us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) + sshd-4261 0d.s1 64us : trace_preempt_on (__do_softirq) + + +The above is an example of the preemptoff trace with +ftrace_enabled set. Here we see that interrupts were disabled +the entire time. The irq_enter code lets us know that we entered +an interrupt 'h'. Before that, the functions being traced still +show that it is not in an interrupt, but we can see from the +functions themselves that this is not the case. + +Notice that __do_softirq when called does not have a +preempt_count. It may seem that we missed a preempt enabling. +What really happened is that the preempt count is held on the +thread's stack and we switched to the softirq stack (4K stacks +in effect). The code does not copy the preempt count, but +because interrupts are disabled, we do not need to worry about +it. Having a tracer like this is good for letting people know +what really happens inside the kernel. + + +preemptirqsoff +-------------- + +Knowing the locations that have interrupts disabled or +preemption disabled for the longest times is helpful. But +sometimes we would like to know when either preemption and/or +interrupts are disabled. + +Consider the following code: + + local_irq_disable(); + call_function_with_irqs_off(); + preempt_disable(); + call_function_with_irqs_and_preemption_off(); + local_irq_enable(); + call_function_with_preemption_off(); + preempt_enable(); + +The irqsoff tracer will record the total length of +call_function_with_irqs_off() and +call_function_with_irqs_and_preemption_off(). + +The preemptoff tracer will record the total length of +call_function_with_irqs_and_preemption_off() and +call_function_with_preemption_off(). + +But neither will trace the time that interrupts and/or +preemption is disabled. This total time is the time that we can +not schedule. To record this time, use the preemptirqsoff +tracer. + +Again, using this trace is much like the irqsoff and preemptoff +tracers. + + # echo preemptirqsoff > /debug/tracing/current_tracer + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_max_latency + # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # ls -ltr + [...] + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # cat /debug/tracing/latency_trace +# tracer: preemptirqsoff +# +preemptirqsoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 +-------------------------------------------------------------------- + latency: 293 us, #3/3, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) + ----------------- + | task: ls-4860 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) + ----------------- + => started at: apic_timer_interrupt + => ended at: __do_softirq + +# _------=> CPU# +# / _-----=> irqs-off +# | / _----=> need-resched +# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq +# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth +# |||| / +# ||||| delay +# cmd pid ||||| time | caller +# \ / ||||| \ | / + ls-4860 0d... 0us!: trace_hardirqs_off_thunk (apic_timer_interrupt) + ls-4860 0d.s. 294us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) + ls-4860 0d.s1 294us : trace_preempt_on (__do_softirq) + + + +The trace_hardirqs_off_thunk is called from assembly on x86 when +interrupts are disabled in the assembly code. Without the +function tracing, we do not know if interrupts were enabled +within the preemption points. We do see that it started with +preemption enabled. + +Here is a trace with ftrace_enabled set: + + +# tracer: preemptirqsoff +# +preemptirqsoff latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 +-------------------------------------------------------------------- + latency: 105 us, #183/183, CPU#0 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) + ----------------- + | task: sshd-4261 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:0 rt_prio:0) + ----------------- + => started at: write_chan + => ended at: __do_softirq + +# _------=> CPU# +# / _-----=> irqs-off +# | / _----=> need-resched +# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq +# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth +# |||| / +# ||||| delay +# cmd pid ||||| time | caller +# \ / ||||| \ | / + ls-4473 0.N.. 0us : preempt_schedule (write_chan) + ls-4473 0dN.1 1us : _spin_lock (schedule) + ls-4473 0dN.1 2us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock) + ls-4473 0d..2 2us : put_prev_task_fair (schedule) +[...] + ls-4473 0d..2 13us : set_normalized_timespec (ktime_get_ts) + ls-4473 0d..2 13us : __switch_to (schedule) + sshd-4261 0d..2 14us : finish_task_switch (schedule) + sshd-4261 0d..2 14us : _spin_unlock_irq (finish_task_switch) + sshd-4261 0d..1 15us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock_irqsave) + sshd-4261 0d..2 16us : _spin_unlock_irqrestore (hrtick_set) + sshd-4261 0d..2 16us : do_IRQ (common_interrupt) + sshd-4261 0d..2 17us : irq_enter (do_IRQ) + sshd-4261 0d..2 17us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) + sshd-4261 0d..2 18us : add_preempt_count (irq_enter) + sshd-4261 0d.h2 18us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) + sshd-4261 0d.h. 18us : handle_fasteoi_irq (do_IRQ) + sshd-4261 0d.h. 19us : _spin_lock (handle_fasteoi_irq) + sshd-4261 0d.h. 19us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock) + sshd-4261 0d.h1 20us : _spin_unlock (handle_fasteoi_irq) + sshd-4261 0d.h1 20us : sub_preempt_count (_spin_unlock) +[...] + sshd-4261 0d.h1 28us : _spin_unlock (handle_fasteoi_irq) + sshd-4261 0d.h1 29us : sub_preempt_count (_spin_unlock) + sshd-4261 0d.h2 29us : irq_exit (do_IRQ) + sshd-4261 0d.h2 29us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) + sshd-4261 0d..3 30us : do_softirq (irq_exit) + sshd-4261 0d... 30us : __do_softirq (do_softirq) + sshd-4261 0d... 31us : __local_bh_disable (__do_softirq) + sshd-4261 0d... 31us+: add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) + sshd-4261 0d.s4 34us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) +[...] + sshd-4261 0d.s3 43us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable_ip) + sshd-4261 0d.s4 44us : sub_preempt_count (local_bh_enable_ip) + sshd-4261 0d.s3 44us : smp_apic_timer_interrupt (apic_timer_interrupt) + sshd-4261 0d.s3 45us : irq_enter (smp_apic_timer_interrupt) + sshd-4261 0d.s3 45us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) + sshd-4261 0d.s3 46us : add_preempt_count (irq_enter) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 46us : idle_cpu (irq_enter) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 47us : hrtimer_interrupt (smp_apic_timer_interrupt) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 47us : ktime_get (hrtimer_interrupt) +[...] + sshd-4261 0d.H3 81us : tick_program_event (hrtimer_interrupt) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 82us : ktime_get (tick_program_event) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 82us : ktime_get_ts (ktime_get) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 83us : getnstimeofday (ktime_get_ts) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 83us : set_normalized_timespec (ktime_get_ts) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 84us : clockevents_program_event (tick_program_event) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 84us : lapic_next_event (clockevents_program_event) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 85us : irq_exit (smp_apic_timer_interrupt) + sshd-4261 0d.H3 85us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) + sshd-4261 0d.s4 86us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) + sshd-4261 0d.s3 86us : add_preempt_count (__local_bh_disable) +[...] + sshd-4261 0d.s1 98us : sub_preempt_count (net_rx_action) + sshd-4261 0d.s. 99us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock_irq) + sshd-4261 0d.s1 99us+: _spin_unlock_irq (run_timer_softirq) + sshd-4261 0d.s. 104us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) + sshd-4261 0d.s. 104us : sub_preempt_count (_local_bh_enable) + sshd-4261 0d.s. 105us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) + sshd-4261 0d.s1 105us : trace_preempt_on (__do_softirq) + + +This is a very interesting trace. It started with the preemption +of the ls task. We see that the task had the "need_resched" bit +set via the 'N' in the trace. Interrupts were disabled before +the spin_lock at the beginning of the trace. We see that a +schedule took place to run sshd. When the interrupts were +enabled, we took an interrupt. On return from the interrupt +handler, the softirq ran. We took another interrupt while +running the softirq as we see from the capital 'H'. + + +wakeup +------ + +In a Real-Time environment it is very important to know the +wakeup time it takes for the highest priority task that is woken +up to the time that it executes. This is also known as "schedule +latency". I stress the point that this is about RT tasks. It is +also important to know the scheduling latency of non-RT tasks, +but the average schedule latency is better for non-RT tasks. +Tools like LatencyTop are more appropriate for such +measurements. + +Real-Time environments are interested in the worst case latency. +That is the longest latency it takes for something to happen, +and not the average. We can have a very fast scheduler that may +only have a large latency once in a while, but that would not +work well with Real-Time tasks. The wakeup tracer was designed +to record the worst case wakeups of RT tasks. Non-RT tasks are +not recorded because the tracer only records one worst case and +tracing non-RT tasks that are unpredictable will overwrite the +worst case latency of RT tasks. + +Since this tracer only deals with RT tasks, we will run this +slightly differently than we did with the previous tracers. +Instead of performing an 'ls', we will run 'sleep 1' under +'chrt' which changes the priority of the task. + + # echo wakeup > /debug/tracing/current_tracer + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_max_latency + # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # chrt -f 5 sleep 1 + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # cat /debug/tracing/latency_trace +# tracer: wakeup +# +wakeup latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 +-------------------------------------------------------------------- + latency: 4 us, #2/2, CPU#1 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) + ----------------- + | task: sleep-4901 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:1 rt_prio:5) + ----------------- + +# _------=> CPU# +# / _-----=> irqs-off +# | / _----=> need-resched +# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq +# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth +# |||| / +# ||||| delay +# cmd pid ||||| time | caller +# \ / ||||| \ | / + -0 1d.h4 0us+: try_to_wake_up (wake_up_process) + -0 1d..4 4us : schedule (cpu_idle) + + +Running this on an idle system, we see that it only took 4 +microseconds to perform the task switch. Note, since the trace +marker in the schedule is before the actual "switch", we stop +the tracing when the recorded task is about to schedule in. This +may change if we add a new marker at the end of the scheduler. + +Notice that the recorded task is 'sleep' with the PID of 4901 +and it has an rt_prio of 5. This priority is user-space priority +and not the internal kernel priority. The policy is 1 for +SCHED_FIFO and 2 for SCHED_RR. + +Doing the same with chrt -r 5 and ftrace_enabled set. + +# tracer: wakeup +# +wakeup latency trace v1.1.5 on 2.6.26-rc8 +-------------------------------------------------------------------- + latency: 50 us, #60/60, CPU#1 | (M:preempt VP:0, KP:0, SP:0 HP:0 #P:2) + ----------------- + | task: sleep-4068 (uid:0 nice:0 policy:2 rt_prio:5) + ----------------- + +# _------=> CPU# +# / _-----=> irqs-off +# | / _----=> need-resched +# || / _---=> hardirq/softirq +# ||| / _--=> preempt-depth +# |||| / +# ||||| delay +# cmd pid ||||| time | caller +# \ / ||||| \ | / +ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 0us : try_to_wake_up (wake_up_process) +ksoftirq-7 1d.H4 1us : sub_preempt_count (marker_probe_cb) +ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 2us : check_preempt_wakeup (try_to_wake_up) +ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 3us : update_curr (check_preempt_wakeup) +ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 4us : calc_delta_mine (update_curr) +ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 5us : __resched_task (check_preempt_wakeup) +ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 6us : task_wake_up_rt (try_to_wake_up) +ksoftirq-7 1d.H3 7us : _spin_unlock_irqrestore (try_to_wake_up) +[...] +ksoftirq-7 1d.H2 17us : irq_exit (smp_apic_timer_interrupt) +ksoftirq-7 1d.H2 18us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) +ksoftirq-7 1d.s3 19us : sub_preempt_count (irq_exit) +ksoftirq-7 1..s2 20us : rcu_process_callbacks (__do_softirq) +[...] +ksoftirq-7 1..s2 26us : __rcu_process_callbacks (rcu_process_callbacks) +ksoftirq-7 1d.s2 27us : _local_bh_enable (__do_softirq) +ksoftirq-7 1d.s2 28us : sub_preempt_count (_local_bh_enable) +ksoftirq-7 1.N.3 29us : sub_preempt_count (ksoftirqd) +ksoftirq-7 1.N.2 30us : _cond_resched (ksoftirqd) +ksoftirq-7 1.N.2 31us : __cond_resched (_cond_resched) +ksoftirq-7 1.N.2 32us : add_preempt_count (__cond_resched) +ksoftirq-7 1.N.2 33us : schedule (__cond_resched) +ksoftirq-7 1.N.2 33us : add_preempt_count (schedule) +ksoftirq-7 1.N.3 34us : hrtick_clear (schedule) +ksoftirq-7 1dN.3 35us : _spin_lock (schedule) +ksoftirq-7 1dN.3 36us : add_preempt_count (_spin_lock) +ksoftirq-7 1d..4 37us : put_prev_task_fair (schedule) +ksoftirq-7 1d..4 38us : update_curr (put_prev_task_fair) +[...] +ksoftirq-7 1d..5 47us : _spin_trylock (tracing_record_cmdline) +ksoftirq-7 1d..5 48us : add_preempt_count (_spin_trylock) +ksoftirq-7 1d..6 49us : _spin_unlock (tracing_record_cmdline) +ksoftirq-7 1d..6 49us : sub_preempt_count (_spin_unlock) +ksoftirq-7 1d..4 50us : schedule (__cond_resched) + +The interrupt went off while running ksoftirqd. This task runs +at SCHED_OTHER. Why did not we see the 'N' set early? This may +be a harmless bug with x86_32 and 4K stacks. On x86_32 with 4K +stacks configured, the interrupt and softirq run with their own +stack. Some information is held on the top of the task's stack +(need_resched and preempt_count are both stored there). The +setting of the NEED_RESCHED bit is done directly to the task's +stack, but the reading of the NEED_RESCHED is done by looking at +the current stack, which in this case is the stack for the hard +interrupt. This hides the fact that NEED_RESCHED has been set. +We do not see the 'N' until we switch back to the task's +assigned stack. + +function +-------- + +This tracer is the function tracer. Enabling the function tracer +can be done from the debug file system. Make sure the +ftrace_enabled is set; otherwise this tracer is a nop. + + # sysctl kernel.ftrace_enabled=1 + # echo function > /debug/tracing/current_tracer + # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # usleep 1 + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # cat /debug/tracing/trace +# tracer: function +# +# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION +# | | | | | + bash-4003 [00] 123.638713: finish_task_switch <-schedule + bash-4003 [00] 123.638714: _spin_unlock_irq <-finish_task_switch + bash-4003 [00] 123.638714: sub_preempt_count <-_spin_unlock_irq + bash-4003 [00] 123.638715: hrtick_set <-schedule + bash-4003 [00] 123.638715: _spin_lock_irqsave <-hrtick_set + bash-4003 [00] 123.638716: add_preempt_count <-_spin_lock_irqsave + bash-4003 [00] 123.638716: _spin_unlock_irqrestore <-hrtick_set + bash-4003 [00] 123.638717: sub_preempt_count <-_spin_unlock_irqrestore + bash-4003 [00] 123.638717: hrtick_clear <-hrtick_set + bash-4003 [00] 123.638718: sub_preempt_count <-schedule + bash-4003 [00] 123.638718: sub_preempt_count <-preempt_schedule + bash-4003 [00] 123.638719: wait_for_completion <-__stop_machine_run + bash-4003 [00] 123.638719: wait_for_common <-wait_for_completion + bash-4003 [00] 123.638720: _spin_lock_irq <-wait_for_common + bash-4003 [00] 123.638720: add_preempt_count <-_spin_lock_irq +[...] + + +Note: function tracer uses ring buffers to store the above +entries. The newest data may overwrite the oldest data. +Sometimes using echo to stop the trace is not sufficient because +the tracing could have overwritten the data that you wanted to +record. For this reason, it is sometimes better to disable +tracing directly from a program. This allows you to stop the +tracing at the point that you hit the part that you are +interested in. To disable the tracing directly from a C program, +something like following code snippet can be used: + +int trace_fd; +[...] +int main(int argc, char *argv[]) { + [...] + trace_fd = open("/debug/tracing/tracing_enabled", O_WRONLY); + [...] + if (condition_hit()) { + write(trace_fd, "0", 1); + } + [...] +} + +Note: Here we hard coded the path name. The debugfs mount is not +guaranteed to be at /debug (and is more commonly at +/sys/kernel/debug). For simple one time traces, the above is +sufficent. For anything else, a search through /proc/mounts may +be needed to find where the debugfs file-system is mounted. + + +Single thread tracing +--------------------- + +By writing into /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid you can trace a +single thread. For example: + +# cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid +no pid +# echo 3111 > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid +# cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid +3111 +# echo function > /debug/tracing/current_tracer +# cat /debug/tracing/trace | head + # tracer: function + # + # TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION + # | | | | | + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254676: finish_task_switch <-thread_return + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254681: hrtimer_cancel <-schedule_hrtimeout_range + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254682: hrtimer_try_to_cancel <-hrtimer_cancel + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254683: lock_hrtimer_base <-hrtimer_try_to_cancel + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254685: fget_light <-do_sys_poll + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1637.254686: pipe_poll <-do_sys_poll +# echo -1 > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid +# cat /debug/tracing/trace |head + # tracer: function + # + # TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION + # | | | | | + ##### CPU 3 buffer started #### + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1701.957688: free_poll_entry <-poll_freewait + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1701.957689: remove_wait_queue <-free_poll_entry + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1701.957691: fput <-free_poll_entry + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1701.957692: audit_syscall_exit <-sysret_audit + yum-updatesd-3111 [003] 1701.957693: path_put <-audit_syscall_exit + +If you want to trace a function when executing, you could use +something like this simple program: + +#include +#include +#include +#include +#include +#include + +int main (int argc, char **argv) +{ + if (argc < 1) + exit(-1); + + if (fork() > 0) { + int fd, ffd; + char line[64]; + int s; + + ffd = open("/debug/tracing/current_tracer", O_WRONLY); + if (ffd < 0) + exit(-1); + write(ffd, "nop", 3); + + fd = open("/debug/tracing/set_ftrace_pid", O_WRONLY); + s = sprintf(line, "%d\n", getpid()); + write(fd, line, s); + + write(ffd, "function", 8); + + close(fd); + close(ffd); + + execvp(argv[1], argv+1); + } + + return 0; +} + + +hw-branch-tracer (x86 only) +--------------------------- + +This tracer uses the x86 last branch tracing hardware feature to +collect a branch trace on all cpus with relatively low overhead. + +The tracer uses a fixed-size circular buffer per cpu and only +traces ring 0 branches. The trace file dumps that buffer in the +following format: + +# tracer: hw-branch-tracer +# +# CPU# TO <- FROM + 0 scheduler_tick+0xb5/0x1bf <- task_tick_idle+0x5/0x6 + 2 run_posix_cpu_timers+0x2b/0x72a <- run_posix_cpu_timers+0x25/0x72a + 0 scheduler_tick+0x139/0x1bf <- scheduler_tick+0xed/0x1bf + 0 scheduler_tick+0x17c/0x1bf <- scheduler_tick+0x148/0x1bf + 2 run_posix_cpu_timers+0x9e/0x72a <- run_posix_cpu_timers+0x5e/0x72a + 0 scheduler_tick+0x1b6/0x1bf <- scheduler_tick+0x1aa/0x1bf + + +The tracer may be used to dump the trace for the oops'ing cpu on +a kernel oops into the system log. To enable this, +ftrace_dump_on_oops must be set. To set ftrace_dump_on_oops, one +can either use the sysctl function or set it via the proc system +interface. + + sysctl kernel.ftrace_dump_on_oops=1 + +or + + echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/ftrace_dump_on_oops + + +Here's an example of such a dump after a null pointer +dereference in a kernel module: + +[57848.105921] BUG: unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at 0000000000000000 +[57848.106019] IP: [] open+0x6/0x14 [oops] +[57848.106019] PGD 2354e9067 PUD 2375e7067 PMD 0 +[57848.106019] Oops: 0002 [#1] SMP +[57848.106019] last sysfs file: /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1e.0/0000:20:05.0/local_cpus +[57848.106019] Dumping ftrace buffer: +[57848.106019] --------------------------------- +[...] +[57848.106019] 0 chrdev_open+0xe6/0x165 <- cdev_put+0x23/0x24 +[57848.106019] 0 chrdev_open+0x117/0x165 <- chrdev_open+0xfa/0x165 +[57848.106019] 0 chrdev_open+0x120/0x165 <- chrdev_open+0x11c/0x165 +[57848.106019] 0 chrdev_open+0x134/0x165 <- chrdev_open+0x12b/0x165 +[57848.106019] 0 open+0x0/0x14 [oops] <- chrdev_open+0x144/0x165 +[57848.106019] 0 page_fault+0x0/0x30 <- open+0x6/0x14 [oops] +[57848.106019] 0 error_entry+0x0/0x5b <- page_fault+0x4/0x30 +[57848.106019] 0 error_kernelspace+0x0/0x31 <- error_entry+0x59/0x5b +[57848.106019] 0 error_sti+0x0/0x1 <- error_kernelspace+0x2d/0x31 +[57848.106019] 0 page_fault+0x9/0x30 <- error_sti+0x0/0x1 +[57848.106019] 0 do_page_fault+0x0/0x881 <- page_fault+0x1a/0x30 +[...] +[57848.106019] 0 do_page_fault+0x66b/0x881 <- is_prefetch+0x1ee/0x1f2 +[57848.106019] 0 do_page_fault+0x6e0/0x881 <- do_page_fault+0x67a/0x881 +[57848.106019] 0 oops_begin+0x0/0x96 <- do_page_fault+0x6e0/0x881 +[57848.106019] 0 trace_hw_branch_oops+0x0/0x2d <- oops_begin+0x9/0x96 +[...] +[57848.106019] 0 ds_suspend_bts+0x2a/0xe3 <- ds_suspend_bts+0x1a/0xe3 +[57848.106019] --------------------------------- +[57848.106019] CPU 0 +[57848.106019] Modules linked in: oops +[57848.106019] Pid: 5542, comm: cat Tainted: G W 2.6.28 #23 +[57848.106019] RIP: 0010:[] [] open+0x6/0x14 [oops] +[57848.106019] RSP: 0018:ffff880235457d48 EFLAGS: 00010246 +[...] + + +function graph tracer +--------------------------- + +This tracer is similar to the function tracer except that it +probes a function on its entry and its exit. This is done by +using a dynamically allocated stack of return addresses in each +task_struct. On function entry the tracer overwrites the return +address of each function traced to set a custom probe. Thus the +original return address is stored on the stack of return address +in the task_struct. + +Probing on both ends of a function leads to special features +such as: + +- measure of a function's time execution +- having a reliable call stack to draw function calls graph + +This tracer is useful in several situations: + +- you want to find the reason of a strange kernel behavior and + need to see what happens in detail on any areas (or specific + ones). + +- you are experiencing weird latencies but it's difficult to + find its origin. + +- you want to find quickly which path is taken by a specific + function + +- you just want to peek inside a working kernel and want to see + what happens there. + +# tracer: function_graph +# +# CPU DURATION FUNCTION CALLS +# | | | | | | | + + 0) | sys_open() { + 0) | do_sys_open() { + 0) | getname() { + 0) | kmem_cache_alloc() { + 0) 1.382 us | __might_sleep(); + 0) 2.478 us | } + 0) | strncpy_from_user() { + 0) | might_fault() { + 0) 1.389 us | __might_sleep(); + 0) 2.553 us | } + 0) 3.807 us | } + 0) 7.876 us | } + 0) | alloc_fd() { + 0) 0.668 us | _spin_lock(); + 0) 0.570 us | expand_files(); + 0) 0.586 us | _spin_unlock(); + + +There are several columns that can be dynamically +enabled/disabled. You can use every combination of options you +want, depending on your needs. + +- The cpu number on which the function executed is default + enabled. It is sometimes better to only trace one cpu (see + tracing_cpu_mask file) or you might sometimes see unordered + function calls while cpu tracing switch. + + hide: echo nofuncgraph-cpu > /debug/tracing/trace_options + show: echo funcgraph-cpu > /debug/tracing/trace_options + +- The duration (function's time of execution) is displayed on + the closing bracket line of a function or on the same line + than the current function in case of a leaf one. It is default + enabled. + + hide: echo nofuncgraph-duration > /debug/tracing/trace_options + show: echo funcgraph-duration > /debug/tracing/trace_options + +- The overhead field precedes the duration field in case of + reached duration thresholds. + + hide: echo nofuncgraph-overhead > /debug/tracing/trace_options + show: echo funcgraph-overhead > /debug/tracing/trace_options + depends on: funcgraph-duration + + ie: + + 0) | up_write() { + 0) 0.646 us | _spin_lock_irqsave(); + 0) 0.684 us | _spin_unlock_irqrestore(); + 0) 3.123 us | } + 0) 0.548 us | fput(); + 0) + 58.628 us | } + + [...] + + 0) | putname() { + 0) | kmem_cache_free() { + 0) 0.518 us | __phys_addr(); + 0) 1.757 us | } + 0) 2.861 us | } + 0) ! 115.305 us | } + 0) ! 116.402 us | } + + + means that the function exceeded 10 usecs. + ! means that the function exceeded 100 usecs. + + +- The task/pid field displays the thread cmdline and pid which + executed the function. It is default disabled. + + hide: echo nofuncgraph-proc > /debug/tracing/trace_options + show: echo funcgraph-proc > /debug/tracing/trace_options + + ie: + + # tracer: function_graph + # + # CPU TASK/PID DURATION FUNCTION CALLS + # | | | | | | | | | + 0) sh-4802 | | d_free() { + 0) sh-4802 | | call_rcu() { + 0) sh-4802 | | __call_rcu() { + 0) sh-4802 | 0.616 us | rcu_process_gp_end(); + 0) sh-4802 | 0.586 us | check_for_new_grace_period(); + 0) sh-4802 | 2.899 us | } + 0) sh-4802 | 4.040 us | } + 0) sh-4802 | 5.151 us | } + 0) sh-4802 | + 49.370 us | } + + +- The absolute time field is an absolute timestamp given by the + system clock since it started. A snapshot of this time is + given on each entry/exit of functions + + hide: echo nofuncgraph-abstime > /debug/tracing/trace_options + show: echo funcgraph-abstime > /debug/tracing/trace_options + + ie: + + # + # TIME CPU DURATION FUNCTION CALLS + # | | | | | | | | + 360.774522 | 1) 0.541 us | } + 360.774522 | 1) 4.663 us | } + 360.774523 | 1) 0.541 us | __wake_up_bit(); + 360.774524 | 1) 6.796 us | } + 360.774524 | 1) 7.952 us | } + 360.774525 | 1) 9.063 us | } + 360.774525 | 1) 0.615 us | journal_mark_dirty(); + 360.774527 | 1) 0.578 us | __brelse(); + 360.774528 | 1) | reiserfs_prepare_for_journal() { + 360.774528 | 1) | unlock_buffer() { + 360.774529 | 1) | wake_up_bit() { + 360.774529 | 1) | bit_waitqueue() { + 360.774530 | 1) 0.594 us | __phys_addr(); + + +You can put some comments on specific functions by using +trace_printk() For example, if you want to put a comment inside +the __might_sleep() function, you just have to include + and call trace_printk() inside __might_sleep() + +trace_printk("I'm a comment!\n") + +will produce: + + 1) | __might_sleep() { + 1) | /* I'm a comment! */ + 1) 1.449 us | } + + +You might find other useful features for this tracer in the +following "dynamic ftrace" section such as tracing only specific +functions or tasks. + +dynamic ftrace +-------------- + +If CONFIG_DYNAMIC_FTRACE is set, the system will run with +virtually no overhead when function tracing is disabled. The way +this works is the mcount function call (placed at the start of +every kernel function, produced by the -pg switch in gcc), +starts of pointing to a simple return. (Enabling FTRACE will +include the -pg switch in the compiling of the kernel.) + +At compile time every C file object is run through the +recordmcount.pl script (located in the scripts directory). This +script will process the C object using objdump to find all the +locations in the .text section that call mcount. (Note, only the +.text section is processed, since processing other sections like +.init.text may cause races due to those sections being freed). + +A new section called "__mcount_loc" is created that holds +references to all the mcount call sites in the .text section. +This section is compiled back into the original object. The +final linker will add all these references into a single table. + +On boot up, before SMP is initialized, the dynamic ftrace code +scans this table and updates all the locations into nops. It +also records the locations, which are added to the +available_filter_functions list. Modules are processed as they +are loaded and before they are executed. When a module is +unloaded, it also removes its functions from the ftrace function +list. This is automatic in the module unload code, and the +module author does not need to worry about it. + +When tracing is enabled, kstop_machine is called to prevent +races with the CPUS executing code being modified (which can +cause the CPU to do undesireable things), and the nops are +patched back to calls. But this time, they do not call mcount +(which is just a function stub). They now call into the ftrace +infrastructure. + +One special side-effect to the recording of the functions being +traced is that we can now selectively choose which functions we +wish to trace and which ones we want the mcount calls to remain +as nops. + +Two files are used, one for enabling and one for disabling the +tracing of specified functions. They are: + + set_ftrace_filter + +and + + set_ftrace_notrace + +A list of available functions that you can add to these files is +listed in: + + available_filter_functions + + # cat /debug/tracing/available_filter_functions +put_prev_task_idle +kmem_cache_create +pick_next_task_rt +get_online_cpus +pick_next_task_fair +mutex_lock +[...] + +If I am only interested in sys_nanosleep and hrtimer_interrupt: + + # echo sys_nanosleep hrtimer_interrupt \ + > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter + # echo ftrace > /debug/tracing/current_tracer + # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # usleep 1 + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # cat /debug/tracing/trace +# tracer: ftrace +# +# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION +# | | | | | + usleep-4134 [00] 1317.070017: hrtimer_interrupt <-smp_apic_timer_interrupt + usleep-4134 [00] 1317.070111: sys_nanosleep <-syscall_call + -0 [00] 1317.070115: hrtimer_interrupt <-smp_apic_timer_interrupt + +To see which functions are being traced, you can cat the file: + + # cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter +hrtimer_interrupt +sys_nanosleep + + +Perhaps this is not enough. The filters also allow simple wild +cards. Only the following are currently available + + * - will match functions that begin with + * - will match functions that end with + ** - will match functions that have in it + +These are the only wild cards which are supported. + + * will not work. + +Note: It is better to use quotes to enclose the wild cards, + otherwise the shell may expand the parameters into names + of files in the local directory. + + # echo 'hrtimer_*' > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter + +Produces: + +# tracer: ftrace +# +# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION +# | | | | | + bash-4003 [00] 1480.611794: hrtimer_init <-copy_process + bash-4003 [00] 1480.611941: hrtimer_start <-hrtick_set + bash-4003 [00] 1480.611956: hrtimer_cancel <-hrtick_clear + bash-4003 [00] 1480.611956: hrtimer_try_to_cancel <-hrtimer_cancel + -0 [00] 1480.612019: hrtimer_get_next_event <-get_next_timer_interrupt + -0 [00] 1480.612025: hrtimer_get_next_event <-get_next_timer_interrupt + -0 [00] 1480.612032: hrtimer_get_next_event <-get_next_timer_interrupt + -0 [00] 1480.612037: hrtimer_get_next_event <-get_next_timer_interrupt + -0 [00] 1480.612382: hrtimer_get_next_event <-get_next_timer_interrupt + + +Notice that we lost the sys_nanosleep. + + # cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter +hrtimer_run_queues +hrtimer_run_pending +hrtimer_init +hrtimer_cancel +hrtimer_try_to_cancel +hrtimer_forward +hrtimer_start +hrtimer_reprogram +hrtimer_force_reprogram +hrtimer_get_next_event +hrtimer_interrupt +hrtimer_nanosleep +hrtimer_wakeup +hrtimer_get_remaining +hrtimer_get_res +hrtimer_init_sleeper + + +This is because the '>' and '>>' act just like they do in bash. +To rewrite the filters, use '>' +To append to the filters, use '>>' + +To clear out a filter so that all functions will be recorded +again: + + # echo > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter + # cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter + # + +Again, now we want to append. + + # echo sys_nanosleep > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter + # cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter +sys_nanosleep + # echo 'hrtimer_*' >> /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter + # cat /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_filter +hrtimer_run_queues +hrtimer_run_pending +hrtimer_init +hrtimer_cancel +hrtimer_try_to_cancel +hrtimer_forward +hrtimer_start +hrtimer_reprogram +hrtimer_force_reprogram +hrtimer_get_next_event +hrtimer_interrupt +sys_nanosleep +hrtimer_nanosleep +hrtimer_wakeup +hrtimer_get_remaining +hrtimer_get_res +hrtimer_init_sleeper + + +The set_ftrace_notrace prevents those functions from being +traced. + + # echo '*preempt*' '*lock*' > /debug/tracing/set_ftrace_notrace + +Produces: + +# tracer: ftrace +# +# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION +# | | | | | + bash-4043 [01] 115.281644: finish_task_switch <-schedule + bash-4043 [01] 115.281645: hrtick_set <-schedule + bash-4043 [01] 115.281645: hrtick_clear <-hrtick_set + bash-4043 [01] 115.281646: wait_for_completion <-__stop_machine_run + bash-4043 [01] 115.281647: wait_for_common <-wait_for_completion + bash-4043 [01] 115.281647: kthread_stop <-stop_machine_run + bash-4043 [01] 115.281648: init_waitqueue_head <-kthread_stop + bash-4043 [01] 115.281648: wake_up_process <-kthread_stop + bash-4043 [01] 115.281649: try_to_wake_up <-wake_up_process + +We can see that there's no more lock or preempt tracing. + + +Dynamic ftrace with the function graph tracer +--------------------------------------------- + +Although what has been explained above concerns both the +function tracer and the function-graph-tracer, there are some +special features only available in the function-graph tracer. + +If you want to trace only one function and all of its children, +you just have to echo its name into set_graph_function: + + echo __do_fault > set_graph_function + +will produce the following "expanded" trace of the __do_fault() +function: + + 0) | __do_fault() { + 0) | filemap_fault() { + 0) | find_lock_page() { + 0) 0.804 us | find_get_page(); + 0) | __might_sleep() { + 0) 1.329 us | } + 0) 3.904 us | } + 0) 4.979 us | } + 0) 0.653 us | _spin_lock(); + 0) 0.578 us | page_add_file_rmap(); + 0) 0.525 us | native_set_pte_at(); + 0) 0.585 us | _spin_unlock(); + 0) | unlock_page() { + 0) 0.541 us | page_waitqueue(); + 0) 0.639 us | __wake_up_bit(); + 0) 2.786 us | } + 0) + 14.237 us | } + 0) | __do_fault() { + 0) | filemap_fault() { + 0) | find_lock_page() { + 0) 0.698 us | find_get_page(); + 0) | __might_sleep() { + 0) 1.412 us | } + 0) 3.950 us | } + 0) 5.098 us | } + 0) 0.631 us | _spin_lock(); + 0) 0.571 us | page_add_file_rmap(); + 0) 0.526 us | native_set_pte_at(); + 0) 0.586 us | _spin_unlock(); + 0) | unlock_page() { + 0) 0.533 us | page_waitqueue(); + 0) 0.638 us | __wake_up_bit(); + 0) 2.793 us | } + 0) + 14.012 us | } + +You can also expand several functions at once: + + echo sys_open > set_graph_function + echo sys_close >> set_graph_function + +Now if you want to go back to trace all functions you can clear +this special filter via: + + echo > set_graph_function + + +trace_pipe +---------- + +The trace_pipe outputs the same content as the trace file, but +the effect on the tracing is different. Every read from +trace_pipe is consumed. This means that subsequent reads will be +different. The trace is live. + + # echo function > /debug/tracing/current_tracer + # cat /debug/tracing/trace_pipe > /tmp/trace.out & +[1] 4153 + # echo 1 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # usleep 1 + # echo 0 > /debug/tracing/tracing_enabled + # cat /debug/tracing/trace +# tracer: function +# +# TASK-PID CPU# TIMESTAMP FUNCTION +# | | | | | + + # + # cat /tmp/trace.out + bash-4043 [00] 41.267106: finish_task_switch <-schedule + bash-4043 [00] 41.267106: hrtick_set <-schedule + bash-4043 [00] 41.267107: hrtick_clear <-hrtick_set + bash-4043 [00] 41.267108: wait_for_completion <-__stop_machine_run + bash-4043 [00] 41.267108: wait_for_common <-wait_for_completion + bash-4043 [00] 41.267109: kthread_stop <-stop_machine_run + bash-4043 [00] 41.267109: init_waitqueue_head <-kthread_stop + bash-4043 [00] 41.267110: wake_up_process <-kthread_stop + bash-4043 [00] 41.267110: try_to_wake_up <-wake_up_process + bash-4043 [00] 41.267111: select_task_rq_rt <-try_to_wake_up + + +Note, reading the trace_pipe file will block until more input is +added. By changing the tracer, trace_pipe will issue an EOF. We +needed to set the function tracer _before_ we "cat" the +trace_pipe file. + + +trace entries +------------- + +Having too much or not enough data can be troublesome in +diagnosing an issue in the kernel. The file buffer_size_kb is +used to modify the size of the internal trace buffers. The +number listed is the number of entries that can be recorded per +CPU. To know the full size, multiply the number of possible CPUS +with the number of entries. + + # cat /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb +1408 (units kilobytes) + +Note, to modify this, you must have tracing completely disabled. +To do that, echo "nop" into the current_tracer. If the +current_tracer is not set to "nop", an EINVAL error will be +returned. + + # echo nop > /debug/tracing/current_tracer + # echo 10000 > /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb + # cat /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb +10000 (units kilobytes) + +The number of pages which will be allocated is limited to a +percentage of available memory. Allocating too much will produce +an error. + + # echo 1000000000000 > /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb +-bash: echo: write error: Cannot allocate memory + # cat /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb +85 + +----------- + +More details can be found in the source code, in the +kernel/tracing/*.c files. diff --git a/Documentation/trace/kmemtrace.txt b/Documentation/trace/kmemtrace.txt new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..a956d9b7f943 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/trace/kmemtrace.txt @@ -0,0 +1,126 @@ + kmemtrace - Kernel Memory Tracer + + by Eduard - Gabriel Munteanu + + +I. Introduction +=============== + +kmemtrace helps kernel developers figure out two things: +1) how different allocators (SLAB, SLUB etc.) perform +2) how kernel code allocates memory and how much + +To do this, we trace every allocation and export information to the userspace +through the relay interface. We export things such as the number of requested +bytes, the number of bytes actually allocated (i.e. including internal +fragmentation), whether this is a slab allocation or a plain kmalloc() and so +on. + +The actual analysis is performed by a userspace tool (see section III for +details on where to get it from). It logs the data exported by the kernel, +processes it and (as of writing this) can provide the following information: +- the total amount of memory allocated and fragmentation per call-site +- the amount of memory allocated and fragmentation per allocation +- total memory allocated and fragmentation in the collected dataset +- number of cross-CPU allocation and frees (makes sense in NUMA environments) + +Moreover, it can potentially find inconsistent and erroneous behavior in +kernel code, such as using slab free functions on kmalloc'ed memory or +allocating less memory than requested (but not truly failed allocations). + +kmemtrace also makes provisions for tracing on some arch and analysing the +data on another. + +II. Design and goals +==================== + +kmemtrace was designed to handle rather large amounts of data. Thus, it uses +the relay interface to export whatever is logged to userspace, which then +stores it. Analysis and reporting is done asynchronously, that is, after the +data is collected and stored. By design, it allows one to log and analyse +on different machines and different arches. + +As of writing this, the ABI is not considered stable, though it might not +change much. However, no guarantees are made about compatibility yet. When +deemed stable, the ABI should still allow easy extension while maintaining +backward compatibility. This is described further in Documentation/ABI. + +Summary of design goals: + - allow logging and analysis to be done across different machines + - be fast and anticipate usage in high-load environments (*) + - be reasonably extensible + - make it possible for GNU/Linux distributions to have kmemtrace + included in their repositories + +(*) - one of the reasons Pekka Enberg's original userspace data analysis + tool's code was rewritten from Perl to C (although this is more than a + simple conversion) + + +III. Quick usage guide +====================== + +1) Get a kernel that supports kmemtrace and build it accordingly (i.e. enable +CONFIG_KMEMTRACE). + +2) Get the userspace tool and build it: +$ git-clone git://repo.or.cz/kmemtrace-user.git # current repository +$ cd kmemtrace-user/ +$ ./autogen.sh +$ ./configure +$ make + +3) Boot the kmemtrace-enabled kernel if you haven't, preferably in the +'single' runlevel (so that relay buffers don't fill up easily), and run +kmemtrace: +# '$' does not mean user, but root here. +$ mount -t debugfs none /sys/kernel/debug +$ mount -t proc none /proc +$ cd path/to/kmemtrace-user/ +$ ./kmemtraced +Wait a bit, then stop it with CTRL+C. +$ cat /sys/kernel/debug/kmemtrace/total_overruns # Check if we didn't + # overrun, should + # be zero. +$ (Optionally) [Run kmemtrace_check separately on each cpu[0-9]*.out file to + check its correctness] +$ ./kmemtrace-report + +Now you should have a nice and short summary of how the allocator performs. + +IV. FAQ and known issues +======================== + +Q: 'cat /sys/kernel/debug/kmemtrace/total_overruns' is non-zero, how do I fix +this? Should I worry? +A: If it's non-zero, this affects kmemtrace's accuracy, depending on how +large the number is. You can fix it by supplying a higher +'kmemtrace.subbufs=N' kernel parameter. +--- + +Q: kmemtrace_check reports errors, how do I fix this? Should I worry? +A: This is a bug and should be reported. It can occur for a variety of +reasons: + - possible bugs in relay code + - possible misuse of relay by kmemtrace + - timestamps being collected unorderly +Or you may fix it yourself and send us a patch. +--- + +Q: kmemtrace_report shows many errors, how do I fix this? Should I worry? +A: This is a known issue and I'm working on it. These might be true errors +in kernel code, which may have inconsistent behavior (e.g. allocating memory +with kmem_cache_alloc() and freeing it with kfree()). Pekka Enberg pointed +out this behavior may work with SLAB, but may fail with other allocators. + +It may also be due to lack of tracing in some unusual allocator functions. + +We don't want bug reports regarding this issue yet. +--- + +V. See also +=========== + +Documentation/kernel-parameters.txt +Documentation/ABI/testing/debugfs-kmemtrace + diff --git a/Documentation/trace/mmiotrace.txt b/Documentation/trace/mmiotrace.txt new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..5731c67abc55 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/trace/mmiotrace.txt @@ -0,0 +1,163 @@ + In-kernel memory-mapped I/O tracing + + +Home page and links to optional user space tools: + + http://nouveau.freedesktop.org/wiki/MmioTrace + +MMIO tracing was originally developed by Intel around 2003 for their Fault +Injection Test Harness. In Dec 2006 - Jan 2007, using the code from Intel, +Jeff Muizelaar created a tool for tracing MMIO accesses with the Nouveau +project in mind. Since then many people have contributed. + +Mmiotrace was built for reverse engineering any memory-mapped IO device with +the Nouveau project as the first real user. Only x86 and x86_64 architectures +are supported. + +Out-of-tree mmiotrace was originally modified for mainline inclusion and +ftrace framework by Pekka Paalanen . + + +Preparation +----------- + +Mmiotrace feature is compiled in by the CONFIG_MMIOTRACE option. Tracing is +disabled by default, so it is safe to have this set to yes. SMP systems are +supported, but tracing is unreliable and may miss events if more than one CPU +is on-line, therefore mmiotrace takes all but one CPU off-line during run-time +activation. You can re-enable CPUs by hand, but you have been warned, there +is no way to automatically detect if you are losing events due to CPUs racing. + + +Usage Quick Reference +--------------------- + +$ mount -t debugfs debugfs /debug +$ echo mmiotrace > /debug/tracing/current_tracer +$ cat /debug/tracing/trace_pipe > mydump.txt & +Start X or whatever. +$ echo "X is up" > /debug/tracing/trace_marker +$ echo nop > /debug/tracing/current_tracer +Check for lost events. + + +Usage +----- + +Make sure debugfs is mounted to /debug. If not, (requires root privileges) +$ mount -t debugfs debugfs /debug + +Check that the driver you are about to trace is not loaded. + +Activate mmiotrace (requires root privileges): +$ echo mmiotrace > /debug/tracing/current_tracer + +Start storing the trace: +$ cat /debug/tracing/trace_pipe > mydump.txt & +The 'cat' process should stay running (sleeping) in the background. + +Load the driver you want to trace and use it. Mmiotrace will only catch MMIO +accesses to areas that are ioremapped while mmiotrace is active. + +During tracing you can place comments (markers) into the trace by +$ echo "X is up" > /debug/tracing/trace_marker +This makes it easier to see which part of the (huge) trace corresponds to +which action. It is recommended to place descriptive markers about what you +do. + +Shut down mmiotrace (requires root privileges): +$ echo nop > /debug/tracing/current_tracer +The 'cat' process exits. If it does not, kill it by issuing 'fg' command and +pressing ctrl+c. + +Check that mmiotrace did not lose events due to a buffer filling up. Either +$ grep -i lost mydump.txt +which tells you exactly how many events were lost, or use +$ dmesg +to view your kernel log and look for "mmiotrace has lost events" warning. If +events were lost, the trace is incomplete. You should enlarge the buffers and +try again. Buffers are enlarged by first seeing how large the current buffers +are: +$ cat /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb +gives you a number. Approximately double this number and write it back, for +instance: +$ echo 128000 > /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb +Then start again from the top. + +If you are doing a trace for a driver project, e.g. Nouveau, you should also +do the following before sending your results: +$ lspci -vvv > lspci.txt +$ dmesg > dmesg.txt +$ tar zcf pciid-nick-mmiotrace.tar.gz mydump.txt lspci.txt dmesg.txt +and then send the .tar.gz file. The trace compresses considerably. Replace +"pciid" and "nick" with the PCI ID or model name of your piece of hardware +under investigation and your nick name. + + +How Mmiotrace Works +------------------- + +Access to hardware IO-memory is gained by mapping addresses from PCI bus by +calling one of the ioremap_*() functions. Mmiotrace is hooked into the +__ioremap() function and gets called whenever a mapping is created. Mapping is +an event that is recorded into the trace log. Note, that ISA range mappings +are not caught, since the mapping always exists and is returned directly. + +MMIO accesses are recorded via page faults. Just before __ioremap() returns, +the mapped pages are marked as not present. Any access to the pages causes a +fault. The page fault handler calls mmiotrace to handle the fault. Mmiotrace +marks the page present, sets TF flag to achieve single stepping and exits the +fault handler. The instruction that faulted is executed and debug trap is +entered. Here mmiotrace again marks the page as not present. The instruction +is decoded to get the type of operation (read/write), data width and the value +read or written. These are stored to the trace log. + +Setting the page present in the page fault handler has a race condition on SMP +machines. During the single stepping other CPUs may run freely on that page +and events can be missed without a notice. Re-enabling other CPUs during +tracing is discouraged. + + +Trace Log Format +---------------- + +The raw log is text and easily filtered with e.g. grep and awk. One record is +one line in the log. A record starts with a keyword, followed by keyword +dependant arguments. Arguments are separated by a space, or continue until the +end of line. The format for version 20070824 is as follows: + +Explanation Keyword Space separated arguments +--------------------------------------------------------------------------- + +read event R width, timestamp, map id, physical, value, PC, PID +write event W width, timestamp, map id, physical, value, PC, PID +ioremap event MAP timestamp, map id, physical, virtual, length, PC, PID +iounmap event UNMAP timestamp, map id, PC, PID +marker MARK timestamp, text +version VERSION the string "20070824" +info for reader LSPCI one line from lspci -v +PCI address map PCIDEV space separated /proc/bus/pci/devices data +unk. opcode UNKNOWN timestamp, map id, physical, data, PC, PID + +Timestamp is in seconds with decimals. Physical is a PCI bus address, virtual +is a kernel virtual address. Width is the data width in bytes and value is the +data value. Map id is an arbitrary id number identifying the mapping that was +used in an operation. PC is the program counter and PID is process id. PC is +zero if it is not recorded. PID is always zero as tracing MMIO accesses +originating in user space memory is not yet supported. + +For instance, the following awk filter will pass all 32-bit writes that target +physical addresses in the range [0xfb73ce40, 0xfb800000[ + +$ awk '/W 4 / { adr=strtonum($5); if (adr >= 0xfb73ce40 && +adr < 0xfb800000) print; }' + + +Tools for Developers +-------------------- + +The user space tools include utilities for: +- replacing numeric addresses and values with hardware register names +- replaying MMIO logs, i.e., re-executing the recorded writes + + diff --git a/Documentation/trace/tracepoints.txt b/Documentation/trace/tracepoints.txt new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..c0e1ceed75a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/trace/tracepoints.txt @@ -0,0 +1,116 @@ + Using the Linux Kernel Tracepoints + + Mathieu Desnoyers + + +This document introduces Linux Kernel Tracepoints and their use. It +provides examples of how to insert tracepoints in the kernel and +connect probe functions to them and provides some examples of probe +functions. + + +* Purpose of tracepoints + +A tracepoint placed in code provides a hook to call a function (probe) +that you can provide at runtime. A tracepoint can be "on" (a probe is +connected to it) or "off" (no probe is attached). When a tracepoint is +"off" it has no effect, except for adding a tiny time penalty +(checking a condition for a branch) and space penalty (adding a few +bytes for the function call at the end of the instrumented function +and adds a data structure in a separate section). When a tracepoint +is "on", the function you provide is called each time the tracepoint +is executed, in the execution context of the caller. When the function +provided ends its execution, it returns to the caller (continuing from +the tracepoint site). + +You can put tracepoints at important locations in the code. They are +lightweight hooks that can pass an arbitrary number of parameters, +which prototypes are described in a tracepoint declaration placed in a +header file. + +They can be used for tracing and performance accounting. + + +* Usage + +Two elements are required for tracepoints : + +- A tracepoint definition, placed in a header file. +- The tracepoint statement, in C code. + +In order to use tracepoints, you should include linux/tracepoint.h. + +In include/trace/subsys.h : + +#include + +DECLARE_TRACE(subsys_eventname, + TP_PROTO(int firstarg, struct task_struct *p), + TP_ARGS(firstarg, p)); + +In subsys/file.c (where the tracing statement must be added) : + +#include + +DEFINE_TRACE(subsys_eventname); + +void somefct(void) +{ + ... + trace_subsys_eventname(arg, task); + ... +} + +Where : +- subsys_eventname is an identifier unique to your event + - subsys is the name of your subsystem. + - eventname is the name of the event to trace. + +- TP_PROTO(int firstarg, struct task_struct *p) is the prototype of the + function called by this tracepoint. + +- TP_ARGS(firstarg, p) are the parameters names, same as found in the + prototype. + +Connecting a function (probe) to a tracepoint is done by providing a +probe (function to call) for the specific tracepoint through +register_trace_subsys_eventname(). Removing a probe is done through +unregister_trace_subsys_eventname(); it will remove the probe. + +tracepoint_synchronize_unregister() must be called before the end of +the module exit function to make sure there is no caller left using +the probe. This, and the fact that preemption is disabled around the +probe call, make sure that probe removal and module unload are safe. +See the "Probe example" section below for a sample probe module. + +The tracepoint mechanism supports inserting multiple instances of the +same tracepoint, but a single definition must be made of a given +tracepoint name over all the kernel to make sure no type conflict will +occur. Name mangling of the tracepoints is done using the prototypes +to make sure typing is correct. Verification of probe type correctness +is done at the registration site by the compiler. Tracepoints can be +put in inline functions, inlined static functions, and unrolled loops +as well as regular functions. + +The naming scheme "subsys_event" is suggested here as a convention +intended to limit collisions. Tracepoint names are global to the +kernel: they are considered as being the same whether they are in the +core kernel image or in modules. + +If the tracepoint has to be used in kernel modules, an +EXPORT_TRACEPOINT_SYMBOL_GPL() or EXPORT_TRACEPOINT_SYMBOL() can be +used to export the defined tracepoints. + +* Probe / tracepoint example + +See the example provided in samples/tracepoints + +Compile them with your kernel. They are built during 'make' (not +'make modules') when CONFIG_SAMPLE_TRACEPOINTS=m. + +Run, as root : +modprobe tracepoint-sample (insmod order is not important) +modprobe tracepoint-probe-sample +cat /proc/tracepoint-sample (returns an expected error) +rmmod tracepoint-sample tracepoint-probe-sample +dmesg diff --git a/Documentation/tracepoints.txt b/Documentation/tracepoints.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c0e1ceed75a4..000000000000 --- a/Documentation/tracepoints.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,116 +0,0 @@ - Using the Linux Kernel Tracepoints - - Mathieu Desnoyers - - -This document introduces Linux Kernel Tracepoints and their use. It -provides examples of how to insert tracepoints in the kernel and -connect probe functions to them and provides some examples of probe -functions. - - -* Purpose of tracepoints - -A tracepoint placed in code provides a hook to call a function (probe) -that you can provide at runtime. A tracepoint can be "on" (a probe is -connected to it) or "off" (no probe is attached). When a tracepoint is -"off" it has no effect, except for adding a tiny time penalty -(checking a condition for a branch) and space penalty (adding a few -bytes for the function call at the end of the instrumented function -and adds a data structure in a separate section). When a tracepoint -is "on", the function you provide is called each time the tracepoint -is executed, in the execution context of the caller. When the function -provided ends its execution, it returns to the caller (continuing from -the tracepoint site). - -You can put tracepoints at important locations in the code. They are -lightweight hooks that can pass an arbitrary number of parameters, -which prototypes are described in a tracepoint declaration placed in a -header file. - -They can be used for tracing and performance accounting. - - -* Usage - -Two elements are required for tracepoints : - -- A tracepoint definition, placed in a header file. -- The tracepoint statement, in C code. - -In order to use tracepoints, you should include linux/tracepoint.h. - -In include/trace/subsys.h : - -#include - -DECLARE_TRACE(subsys_eventname, - TP_PROTO(int firstarg, struct task_struct *p), - TP_ARGS(firstarg, p)); - -In subsys/file.c (where the tracing statement must be added) : - -#include - -DEFINE_TRACE(subsys_eventname); - -void somefct(void) -{ - ... - trace_subsys_eventname(arg, task); - ... -} - -Where : -- subsys_eventname is an identifier unique to your event - - subsys is the name of your subsystem. - - eventname is the name of the event to trace. - -- TP_PROTO(int firstarg, struct task_struct *p) is the prototype of the - function called by this tracepoint. - -- TP_ARGS(firstarg, p) are the parameters names, same as found in the - prototype. - -Connecting a function (probe) to a tracepoint is done by providing a -probe (function to call) for the specific tracepoint through -register_trace_subsys_eventname(). Removing a probe is done through -unregister_trace_subsys_eventname(); it will remove the probe. - -tracepoint_synchronize_unregister() must be called before the end of -the module exit function to make sure there is no caller left using -the probe. This, and the fact that preemption is disabled around the -probe call, make sure that probe removal and module unload are safe. -See the "Probe example" section below for a sample probe module. - -The tracepoint mechanism supports inserting multiple instances of the -same tracepoint, but a single definition must be made of a given -tracepoint name over all the kernel to make sure no type conflict will -occur. Name mangling of the tracepoints is done using the prototypes -to make sure typing is correct. Verification of probe type correctness -is done at the registration site by the compiler. Tracepoints can be -put in inline functions, inlined static functions, and unrolled loops -as well as regular functions. - -The naming scheme "subsys_event" is suggested here as a convention -intended to limit collisions. Tracepoint names are global to the -kernel: they are considered as being the same whether they are in the -core kernel image or in modules. - -If the tracepoint has to be used in kernel modules, an -EXPORT_TRACEPOINT_SYMBOL_GPL() or EXPORT_TRACEPOINT_SYMBOL() can be -used to export the defined tracepoints. - -* Probe / tracepoint example - -See the example provided in samples/tracepoints - -Compile them with your kernel. They are built during 'make' (not -'make modules') when CONFIG_SAMPLE_TRACEPOINTS=m. - -Run, as root : -modprobe tracepoint-sample (insmod order is not important) -modprobe tracepoint-probe-sample -cat /proc/tracepoint-sample (returns an expected error) -rmmod tracepoint-sample tracepoint-probe-sample -dmesg diff --git a/Documentation/tracers/mmiotrace.txt b/Documentation/tracers/mmiotrace.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5731c67abc55..000000000000 --- a/Documentation/tracers/mmiotrace.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,163 +0,0 @@ - In-kernel memory-mapped I/O tracing - - -Home page and links to optional user space tools: - - http://nouveau.freedesktop.org/wiki/MmioTrace - -MMIO tracing was originally developed by Intel around 2003 for their Fault -Injection Test Harness. In Dec 2006 - Jan 2007, using the code from Intel, -Jeff Muizelaar created a tool for tracing MMIO accesses with the Nouveau -project in mind. Since then many people have contributed. - -Mmiotrace was built for reverse engineering any memory-mapped IO device with -the Nouveau project as the first real user. Only x86 and x86_64 architectures -are supported. - -Out-of-tree mmiotrace was originally modified for mainline inclusion and -ftrace framework by Pekka Paalanen . - - -Preparation ------------ - -Mmiotrace feature is compiled in by the CONFIG_MMIOTRACE option. Tracing is -disabled by default, so it is safe to have this set to yes. SMP systems are -supported, but tracing is unreliable and may miss events if more than one CPU -is on-line, therefore mmiotrace takes all but one CPU off-line during run-time -activation. You can re-enable CPUs by hand, but you have been warned, there -is no way to automatically detect if you are losing events due to CPUs racing. - - -Usage Quick Reference ---------------------- - -$ mount -t debugfs debugfs /debug -$ echo mmiotrace > /debug/tracing/current_tracer -$ cat /debug/tracing/trace_pipe > mydump.txt & -Start X or whatever. -$ echo "X is up" > /debug/tracing/trace_marker -$ echo nop > /debug/tracing/current_tracer -Check for lost events. - - -Usage ------ - -Make sure debugfs is mounted to /debug. If not, (requires root privileges) -$ mount -t debugfs debugfs /debug - -Check that the driver you are about to trace is not loaded. - -Activate mmiotrace (requires root privileges): -$ echo mmiotrace > /debug/tracing/current_tracer - -Start storing the trace: -$ cat /debug/tracing/trace_pipe > mydump.txt & -The 'cat' process should stay running (sleeping) in the background. - -Load the driver you want to trace and use it. Mmiotrace will only catch MMIO -accesses to areas that are ioremapped while mmiotrace is active. - -During tracing you can place comments (markers) into the trace by -$ echo "X is up" > /debug/tracing/trace_marker -This makes it easier to see which part of the (huge) trace corresponds to -which action. It is recommended to place descriptive markers about what you -do. - -Shut down mmiotrace (requires root privileges): -$ echo nop > /debug/tracing/current_tracer -The 'cat' process exits. If it does not, kill it by issuing 'fg' command and -pressing ctrl+c. - -Check that mmiotrace did not lose events due to a buffer filling up. Either -$ grep -i lost mydump.txt -which tells you exactly how many events were lost, or use -$ dmesg -to view your kernel log and look for "mmiotrace has lost events" warning. If -events were lost, the trace is incomplete. You should enlarge the buffers and -try again. Buffers are enlarged by first seeing how large the current buffers -are: -$ cat /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb -gives you a number. Approximately double this number and write it back, for -instance: -$ echo 128000 > /debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb -Then start again from the top. - -If you are doing a trace for a driver project, e.g. Nouveau, you should also -do the following before sending your results: -$ lspci -vvv > lspci.txt -$ dmesg > dmesg.txt -$ tar zcf pciid-nick-mmiotrace.tar.gz mydump.txt lspci.txt dmesg.txt -and then send the .tar.gz file. The trace compresses considerably. Replace -"pciid" and "nick" with the PCI ID or model name of your piece of hardware -under investigation and your nick name. - - -How Mmiotrace Works -------------------- - -Access to hardware IO-memory is gained by mapping addresses from PCI bus by -calling one of the ioremap_*() functions. Mmiotrace is hooked into the -__ioremap() function and gets called whenever a mapping is created. Mapping is -an event that is recorded into the trace log. Note, that ISA range mappings -are not caught, since the mapping always exists and is returned directly. - -MMIO accesses are recorded via page faults. Just before __ioremap() returns, -the mapped pages are marked as not present. Any access to the pages causes a -fault. The page fault handler calls mmiotrace to handle the fault. Mmiotrace -marks the page present, sets TF flag to achieve single stepping and exits the -fault handler. The instruction that faulted is executed and debug trap is -entered. Here mmiotrace again marks the page as not present. The instruction -is decoded to get the type of operation (read/write), data width and the value -read or written. These are stored to the trace log. - -Setting the page present in the page fault handler has a race condition on SMP -machines. During the single stepping other CPUs may run freely on that page -and events can be missed without a notice. Re-enabling other CPUs during -tracing is discouraged. - - -Trace Log Format ----------------- - -The raw log is text and easily filtered with e.g. grep and awk. One record is -one line in the log. A record starts with a keyword, followed by keyword -dependant arguments. Arguments are separated by a space, or continue until the -end of line. The format for version 20070824 is as follows: - -Explanation Keyword Space separated arguments ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -read event R width, timestamp, map id, physical, value, PC, PID -write event W width, timestamp, map id, physical, value, PC, PID -ioremap event MAP timestamp, map id, physical, virtual, length, PC, PID -iounmap event UNMAP timestamp, map id, PC, PID -marker MARK timestamp, text -version VERSION the string "20070824" -info for reader LSPCI one line from lspci -v -PCI address map PCIDEV space separated /proc/bus/pci/devices data -unk. opcode UNKNOWN timestamp, map id, physical, data, PC, PID - -Timestamp is in seconds with decimals. Physical is a PCI bus address, virtual -is a kernel virtual address. Width is the data width in bytes and value is the -data value. Map id is an arbitrary id number identifying the mapping that was -used in an operation. PC is the program counter and PID is process id. PC is -zero if it is not recorded. PID is always zero as tracing MMIO accesses -originating in user space memory is not yet supported. - -For instance, the following awk filter will pass all 32-bit writes that target -physical addresses in the range [0xfb73ce40, 0xfb800000[ - -$ awk '/W 4 / { adr=strtonum($5); if (adr >= 0xfb73ce40 && -adr < 0xfb800000) print; }' - - -Tools for Developers --------------------- - -The user space tools include utilities for: -- replacing numeric addresses and values with hardware register names -- replaying MMIO logs, i.e., re-executing the recorded writes - - diff --git a/Documentation/vm/kmemtrace.txt b/Documentation/vm/kmemtrace.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a956d9b7f943..000000000000 --- a/Documentation/vm/kmemtrace.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,126 +0,0 @@ - kmemtrace - Kernel Memory Tracer - - by Eduard - Gabriel Munteanu - - -I. Introduction -=============== - -kmemtrace helps kernel developers figure out two things: -1) how different allocators (SLAB, SLUB etc.) perform -2) how kernel code allocates memory and how much - -To do this, we trace every allocation and export information to the userspace -through the relay interface. We export things such as the number of requested -bytes, the number of bytes actually allocated (i.e. including internal -fragmentation), whether this is a slab allocation or a plain kmalloc() and so -on. - -The actual analysis is performed by a userspace tool (see section III for -details on where to get it from). It logs the data exported by the kernel, -processes it and (as of writing this) can provide the following information: -- the total amount of memory allocated and fragmentation per call-site -- the amount of memory allocated and fragmentation per allocation -- total memory allocated and fragmentation in the collected dataset -- number of cross-CPU allocation and frees (makes sense in NUMA environments) - -Moreover, it can potentially find inconsistent and erroneous behavior in -kernel code, such as using slab free functions on kmalloc'ed memory or -allocating less memory than requested (but not truly failed allocations). - -kmemtrace also makes provisions for tracing on some arch and analysing the -data on another. - -II. Design and goals -==================== - -kmemtrace was designed to handle rather large amounts of data. Thus, it uses -the relay interface to export whatever is logged to userspace, which then -stores it. Analysis and reporting is done asynchronously, that is, after the -data is collected and stored. By design, it allows one to log and analyse -on different machines and different arches. - -As of writing this, the ABI is not considered stable, though it might not -change much. However, no guarantees are made about compatibility yet. When -deemed stable, the ABI should still allow easy extension while maintaining -backward compatibility. This is described further in Documentation/ABI. - -Summary of design goals: - - allow logging and analysis to be done across different machines - - be fast and anticipate usage in high-load environments (*) - - be reasonably extensible - - make it possible for GNU/Linux distributions to have kmemtrace - included in their repositories - -(*) - one of the reasons Pekka Enberg's original userspace data analysis - tool's code was rewritten from Perl to C (although this is more than a - simple conversion) - - -III. Quick usage guide -====================== - -1) Get a kernel that supports kmemtrace and build it accordingly (i.e. enable -CONFIG_KMEMTRACE). - -2) Get the userspace tool and build it: -$ git-clone git://repo.or.cz/kmemtrace-user.git # current repository -$ cd kmemtrace-user/ -$ ./autogen.sh -$ ./configure -$ make - -3) Boot the kmemtrace-enabled kernel if you haven't, preferably in the -'single' runlevel (so that relay buffers don't fill up easily), and run -kmemtrace: -# '$' does not mean user, but root here. -$ mount -t debugfs none /sys/kernel/debug -$ mount -t proc none /proc -$ cd path/to/kmemtrace-user/ -$ ./kmemtraced -Wait a bit, then stop it with CTRL+C. -$ cat /sys/kernel/debug/kmemtrace/total_overruns # Check if we didn't - # overrun, should - # be zero. -$ (Optionally) [Run kmemtrace_check separately on each cpu[0-9]*.out file to - check its correctness] -$ ./kmemtrace-report - -Now you should have a nice and short summary of how the allocator performs. - -IV. FAQ and known issues -======================== - -Q: 'cat /sys/kernel/debug/kmemtrace/total_overruns' is non-zero, how do I fix -this? Should I worry? -A: If it's non-zero, this affects kmemtrace's accuracy, depending on how -large the number is. You can fix it by supplying a higher -'kmemtrace.subbufs=N' kernel parameter. ---- - -Q: kmemtrace_check reports errors, how do I fix this? Should I worry? -A: This is a bug and should be reported. It can occur for a variety of -reasons: - - possible bugs in relay code - - possible misuse of relay by kmemtrace - - timestamps being collected unorderly -Or you may fix it yourself and send us a patch. ---- - -Q: kmemtrace_report shows many errors, how do I fix this? Should I worry? -A: This is a known issue and I'm working on it. These might be true errors -in kernel code, which may have inconsistent behavior (e.g. allocating memory -with kmem_cache_alloc() and freeing it with kfree()). Pekka Enberg pointed -out this behavior may work with SLAB, but may fail with other allocators. - -It may also be due to lack of tracing in some unusual allocator functions. - -We don't want bug reports regarding this issue yet. ---- - -V. See also -=========== - -Documentation/kernel-parameters.txt -Documentation/ABI/testing/debugfs-kmemtrace - -- cgit