Re: What do you use for kernel debugging?

On Sun, 28 Sep 2014, José Pérez Arauzo wrote:

> Hello,
> I am trying to track down a (deadlock?) issue in CURRENT via DDB. The kernel does
> not complete hw probes on my Acer V5.
>
> I get stuck on apic_isr looping which leads nowhere.
>
> So I thought maybe things improve if I debug from another machine.
>
>
> What do you use for kernel debugging? According to the handbook kgdb over serial
> is a good option, do you agree? I'm on a netbook with no ethernet and no option
> for firewire: can I have a USB / nullmodem setup to work?

You cannot.

> I have no old-style uarts hardware anymore, as the handbook suggests...
>
> Any idea is welcome before I buy extra hw. I have a USB to serial showing up as
> /dev/cuaU0, do I need to grab another one and a nullmodem cable or there are better
> alternatives? Thank you.

I'm not sure that there are alternatives at all, unfortunately.

You may be reduced to debugging-via-printf.

-Ben Kaduk