1 ============================================== 1 ================================================================
2 Documentation for Kdump - The kexec-based Cras 2 Documentation for Kdump - The kexec-based Crash Dumping Solution
3 ============================================== 3 ================================================================
4 4
5 This document includes overview, setup, instal !! 5 This document includes overview, setup and installation, and analysis
6 information. 6 information.
7 7
8 Overview 8 Overview
9 ======== 9 ========
10 10
11 Kdump uses kexec to quickly boot to a dump-cap 11 Kdump uses kexec to quickly boot to a dump-capture kernel whenever a
12 dump of the system kernel's memory needs to be 12 dump of the system kernel's memory needs to be taken (for example, when
13 the system panics). The system kernel's memory 13 the system panics). The system kernel's memory image is preserved across
14 the reboot and is accessible to the dump-captu 14 the reboot and is accessible to the dump-capture kernel.
15 15
16 You can use common commands, such as cp, scp o !! 16 You can use common commands, such as cp and scp, to copy the
17 the memory image to a dump file on the local d !! 17 memory image to a dump file on the local disk, or across the network to
18 to a remote system. !! 18 a remote system.
19 19
20 Kdump and kexec are currently supported on the !! 20 Kdump and kexec are currently supported on the x86, x86_64, ppc64, ia64,
21 s390x, arm and arm64 architectures. 21 s390x, arm and arm64 architectures.
22 22
23 When the system kernel boots, it reserves a sm 23 When the system kernel boots, it reserves a small section of memory for
24 the dump-capture kernel. This ensures that ong 24 the dump-capture kernel. This ensures that ongoing Direct Memory Access
25 (DMA) from the system kernel does not corrupt 25 (DMA) from the system kernel does not corrupt the dump-capture kernel.
26 The kexec -p command loads the dump-capture ke 26 The kexec -p command loads the dump-capture kernel into this reserved
27 memory. 27 memory.
28 28
29 On x86 machines, the first 640 KB of physical !! 29 On x86 machines, the first 640 KB of physical memory is needed to boot,
30 regardless of where the kernel loads. For simp !! 30 regardless of where the kernel loads. Therefore, kexec backs up this
31 low 1M is reserved to avoid any later kernel o !! 31 region just before rebooting into the dump-capture kernel.
32 data into this area. Like this, the low 1M can !! 32
33 by kdump kernel without extra handling. !! 33 Similarly on PPC64 machines first 32KB of physical memory is needed for
34 !! 34 booting regardless of where the kernel is loaded and to support 64K page
35 On PPC64 machines first 32KB of physical memor !! 35 size kexec backs up the first 64KB memory.
36 regardless of where the kernel is loaded and t <<
37 kexec backs up the first 64KB memory. <<
38 36
39 For s390x, when kdump is triggered, the crashk 37 For s390x, when kdump is triggered, the crashkernel region is exchanged
40 with the region [0, crashkernel region size] a 38 with the region [0, crashkernel region size] and then the kdump kernel
41 runs in [0, crashkernel region size]. Therefor 39 runs in [0, crashkernel region size]. Therefore no relocatable kernel is
42 needed for s390x. 40 needed for s390x.
43 41
44 All of the necessary information about the sys 42 All of the necessary information about the system kernel's core image is
45 encoded in the ELF format, and stored in a res 43 encoded in the ELF format, and stored in a reserved area of memory
46 before a crash. The physical address of the st 44 before a crash. The physical address of the start of the ELF header is
47 passed to the dump-capture kernel through the 45 passed to the dump-capture kernel through the elfcorehdr= boot
48 parameter. Optionally the size of the ELF head 46 parameter. Optionally the size of the ELF header can also be passed
49 when using the elfcorehdr=[size[KMG]@]offset[K 47 when using the elfcorehdr=[size[KMG]@]offset[KMG] syntax.
50 48
>> 49
51 With the dump-capture kernel, you can access t 50 With the dump-capture kernel, you can access the memory image through
52 /proc/vmcore. This exports the dump as an ELF- 51 /proc/vmcore. This exports the dump as an ELF-format file that you can
53 write out using file copy commands such as cp !! 52 write out using file copy commands such as cp or scp. Further, you can
54 makedumpfile utility to analyze and write out !! 53 use analysis tools such as the GNU Debugger (GDB) and the Crash tool to
55 options, e.g with '-d 31' it will only write o !! 54 debug the dump file. This method ensures that the dump pages are correctly
56 you can use analysis tools such as the GNU Deb !! 55 ordered.
57 tool to debug the dump file. This method ensur !! 56
58 correctly ordered. <<
59 57
60 Setup and Installation 58 Setup and Installation
61 ====================== 59 ======================
62 60
63 Install kexec-tools 61 Install kexec-tools
64 ------------------- 62 -------------------
65 63
66 1) Login as the root user. 64 1) Login as the root user.
67 65
68 2) Download the kexec-tools user-space package 66 2) Download the kexec-tools user-space package from the following URL:
69 67
70 http://kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/kernel/kexec 68 http://kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/kernel/kexec/kexec-tools.tar.gz
71 69
72 This is a symlink to the latest version. 70 This is a symlink to the latest version.
73 71
74 The latest kexec-tools git tree is available a 72 The latest kexec-tools git tree is available at:
75 73
76 - git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/utils/kernel/ke 74 - git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/utils/kernel/kexec/kexec-tools.git
77 - http://www.kernel.org/pub/scm/utils/kernel/k 75 - http://www.kernel.org/pub/scm/utils/kernel/kexec/kexec-tools.git
78 76
79 There is also a gitweb interface available at 77 There is also a gitweb interface available at
80 http://www.kernel.org/git/?p=utils/kernel/kexe 78 http://www.kernel.org/git/?p=utils/kernel/kexec/kexec-tools.git
81 79
82 More information about kexec-tools can be foun 80 More information about kexec-tools can be found at
83 http://horms.net/projects/kexec/ 81 http://horms.net/projects/kexec/
84 82
85 3) Unpack the tarball with the tar command, as 83 3) Unpack the tarball with the tar command, as follows::
86 84
87 tar xvpzf kexec-tools.tar.gz 85 tar xvpzf kexec-tools.tar.gz
88 86
89 4) Change to the kexec-tools directory, as fol 87 4) Change to the kexec-tools directory, as follows::
90 88
91 cd kexec-tools-VERSION 89 cd kexec-tools-VERSION
92 90
93 5) Configure the package, as follows:: 91 5) Configure the package, as follows::
94 92
95 ./configure 93 ./configure
96 94
97 6) Compile the package, as follows:: 95 6) Compile the package, as follows::
98 96
99 make 97 make
100 98
101 7) Install the package, as follows:: 99 7) Install the package, as follows::
102 100
103 make install 101 make install
104 102
105 103
106 Build the system and dump-capture kernels 104 Build the system and dump-capture kernels
107 ----------------------------------------- 105 -----------------------------------------
108 There are two possible methods of using Kdump. 106 There are two possible methods of using Kdump.
109 107
110 1) Build a separate custom dump-capture kernel 108 1) Build a separate custom dump-capture kernel for capturing the
111 kernel core dump. 109 kernel core dump.
112 110
113 2) Or use the system kernel binary itself as d 111 2) Or use the system kernel binary itself as dump-capture kernel and there is
114 no need to build a separate dump-capture ke 112 no need to build a separate dump-capture kernel. This is possible
115 only with the architectures which support a 113 only with the architectures which support a relocatable kernel. As
116 of today, i386, x86_64, ppc64, arm and arm6 !! 114 of today, i386, x86_64, ppc64, ia64, arm and arm64 architectures support
117 relocatable kernel. 115 relocatable kernel.
118 116
119 Building a relocatable kernel is advantageous 117 Building a relocatable kernel is advantageous from the point of view that
120 one does not have to build a second kernel for 118 one does not have to build a second kernel for capturing the dump. But
121 at the same time one might want to build a cus 119 at the same time one might want to build a custom dump capture kernel
122 suitable to his needs. 120 suitable to his needs.
123 121
124 Following are the configuration setting requir 122 Following are the configuration setting required for system and
125 dump-capture kernels for enabling kdump suppor 123 dump-capture kernels for enabling kdump support.
126 124
127 System kernel config options 125 System kernel config options
128 ---------------------------- 126 ----------------------------
129 127
130 1) Enable "kexec system call" or "kexec file b !! 128 1) Enable "kexec system call" in "Processor type and features."::
131 "Processor type and features.":: <<
132 <<
133 CONFIG_KEXEC=y or CONFIG_KEXEC_FILE=y <<
134 129
135 And both of them will select KEXEC_CORE:: !! 130 CONFIG_KEXEC=y
136 <<
137 CONFIG_KEXEC_CORE=y <<
138 131
139 2) Enable "sysfs file system support" in "File 132 2) Enable "sysfs file system support" in "Filesystem" -> "Pseudo
140 filesystems." This is usually enabled by de 133 filesystems." This is usually enabled by default::
141 134
142 CONFIG_SYSFS=y 135 CONFIG_SYSFS=y
143 136
144 Note that "sysfs file system support" might 137 Note that "sysfs file system support" might not appear in the "Pseudo
145 filesystems" menu if "Configure standard ke !! 138 filesystems" menu if "Configure standard kernel features (for small
146 is not enabled in "General Setup." In this !! 139 systems)" is not enabled in "General Setup." In this case, check the
147 itself to ensure that sysfs is turned on, a !! 140 .config file itself to ensure that sysfs is turned on, as follows::
148 141
149 grep 'CONFIG_SYSFS' .config 142 grep 'CONFIG_SYSFS' .config
150 143
151 3) Enable "Compile the kernel with debug info" 144 3) Enable "Compile the kernel with debug info" in "Kernel hacking."::
152 145
153 CONFIG_DEBUG_INFO=Y 146 CONFIG_DEBUG_INFO=Y
154 147
155 This causes the kernel to be built with deb 148 This causes the kernel to be built with debug symbols. The dump
156 analysis tools require a vmlinux with debug 149 analysis tools require a vmlinux with debug symbols in order to read
157 and analyze a dump file. 150 and analyze a dump file.
158 151
159 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Indep 152 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Independent)
160 ---------------------------------------------- 153 -----------------------------------------------------
161 154
162 1) Enable "kernel crash dumps" support under " 155 1) Enable "kernel crash dumps" support under "Processor type and
163 features":: 156 features"::
164 157
165 CONFIG_CRASH_DUMP=y 158 CONFIG_CRASH_DUMP=y
166 159
167 And this will select VMCORE_INFO and CRASH_ <<
168 CONFIG_VMCORE_INFO=y <<
169 CONFIG_CRASH_RESERVE=y <<
170 <<
171 2) Enable "/proc/vmcore support" under "Filesy 160 2) Enable "/proc/vmcore support" under "Filesystems" -> "Pseudo filesystems"::
172 161
173 CONFIG_PROC_VMCORE=y 162 CONFIG_PROC_VMCORE=y
174 163
175 (CONFIG_PROC_VMCORE is set by default when 164 (CONFIG_PROC_VMCORE is set by default when CONFIG_CRASH_DUMP is selected.)
176 165
177 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Depen 166 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Dependent, i386 and x86_64)
178 ---------------------------------------------- 167 --------------------------------------------------------------------
179 168
180 1) On i386, enable high memory support under " 169 1) On i386, enable high memory support under "Processor type and
181 features":: 170 features"::
182 171
183 CONFIG_HIGHMEM64G=y 172 CONFIG_HIGHMEM64G=y
184 173
185 or:: 174 or::
186 175
187 CONFIG_HIGHMEM4G 176 CONFIG_HIGHMEM4G
188 177
189 2) With CONFIG_SMP=y, usually nr_cpus=1 need s !! 178 2) On i386 and x86_64, disable symmetric multi-processing support
190 command line when loading the dump-capture !! 179 under "Processor type and features"::
191 CPU is enough for kdump kernel to dump vmco <<
192 180
193 However, you can also specify nr_cpus=X to !! 181 CONFIG_SMP=n
194 in kdump kernel. <<
195 182
196 With CONFIG_SMP=n, the above things are not !! 183 (If CONFIG_SMP=y, then specify maxcpus=1 on the kernel command line
>> 184 when loading the dump-capture kernel, see section "Load the Dump-capture
>> 185 Kernel".)
197 186
198 3) A relocatable kernel is suggested to be bui !! 187 3) If one wants to build and use a relocatable kernel,
199 enable "Build a relocatable kernel" support !! 188 Enable "Build a relocatable kernel" support under "Processor type and
200 features":: 189 features"::
201 190
202 CONFIG_RELOCATABLE=y 191 CONFIG_RELOCATABLE=y
203 192
204 4) Use a suitable value for "Physical address 193 4) Use a suitable value for "Physical address where the kernel is
205 loaded" (under "Processor type and features 194 loaded" (under "Processor type and features"). This only appears when
206 "kernel crash dumps" is enabled. A suitable 195 "kernel crash dumps" is enabled. A suitable value depends upon
207 whether kernel is relocatable or not. 196 whether kernel is relocatable or not.
208 197
209 If you are using a relocatable kernel use C 198 If you are using a relocatable kernel use CONFIG_PHYSICAL_START=0x100000
210 This will compile the kernel for physical a 199 This will compile the kernel for physical address 1MB, but given the fact
211 kernel is relocatable, it can be run from a 200 kernel is relocatable, it can be run from any physical address hence
212 kexec boot loader will load it in memory re 201 kexec boot loader will load it in memory region reserved for dump-capture
213 kernel. 202 kernel.
214 203
215 Otherwise it should be the start of memory 204 Otherwise it should be the start of memory region reserved for
216 second kernel using boot parameter "crashke 205 second kernel using boot parameter "crashkernel=Y@X". Here X is
217 start of memory region reserved for dump-ca 206 start of memory region reserved for dump-capture kernel.
218 Generally X is 16MB (0x1000000). So you can 207 Generally X is 16MB (0x1000000). So you can set
219 CONFIG_PHYSICAL_START=0x1000000 208 CONFIG_PHYSICAL_START=0x1000000
220 209
221 5) Make and install the kernel and its modules 210 5) Make and install the kernel and its modules. DO NOT add this kernel
222 to the boot loader configuration files. 211 to the boot loader configuration files.
223 212
224 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Depen 213 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Dependent, ppc64)
225 ---------------------------------------------- 214 ----------------------------------------------------------
226 215
227 1) Enable "Build a kdump crash kernel" support 216 1) Enable "Build a kdump crash kernel" support under "Kernel" options::
228 217
229 CONFIG_CRASH_DUMP=y 218 CONFIG_CRASH_DUMP=y
230 219
231 2) Enable "Build a relocatable kernel" suppo 220 2) Enable "Build a relocatable kernel" support::
232 221
233 CONFIG_RELOCATABLE=y 222 CONFIG_RELOCATABLE=y
234 223
235 Make and install the kernel and its modules 224 Make and install the kernel and its modules.
236 225
>> 226 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Dependent, ia64)
>> 227 ----------------------------------------------------------
>> 228
>> 229 - No specific options are required to create a dump-capture kernel
>> 230 for ia64, other than those specified in the arch independent section
>> 231 above. This means that it is possible to use the system kernel
>> 232 as a dump-capture kernel if desired.
>> 233
>> 234 The crashkernel region can be automatically placed by the system
>> 235 kernel at run time. This is done by specifying the base address as 0,
>> 236 or omitting it all together::
>> 237
>> 238 crashkernel=256M@0
>> 239
>> 240 or::
>> 241
>> 242 crashkernel=256M
>> 243
>> 244 If the start address is specified, note that the start address of the
>> 245 kernel will be aligned to 64Mb, so if the start address is not then
>> 246 any space below the alignment point will be wasted.
>> 247
237 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Depen 248 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Dependent, arm)
238 ---------------------------------------------- 249 ----------------------------------------------------------
239 250
240 - To use a relocatable kernel, 251 - To use a relocatable kernel,
241 Enable "AUTO_ZRELADDR" support under "Boot 252 Enable "AUTO_ZRELADDR" support under "Boot" options::
242 253
243 AUTO_ZRELADDR=y 254 AUTO_ZRELADDR=y
244 255
245 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Depen 256 Dump-capture kernel config options (Arch Dependent, arm64)
246 ---------------------------------------------- 257 ----------------------------------------------------------
247 258
248 - Please note that kvm of the dump-capture ker 259 - Please note that kvm of the dump-capture kernel will not be enabled
249 on non-VHE systems even if it is configured. 260 on non-VHE systems even if it is configured. This is because the CPU
250 will not be reset to EL2 on panic. 261 will not be reset to EL2 on panic.
251 262
252 crashkernel syntax !! 263 Extended crashkernel syntax
253 =========================== 264 ===========================
254 1) crashkernel=size@offset <<
255 <<
256 Here 'size' specifies how much memory to re <<
257 and 'offset' specifies the beginning of thi <<
258 "crashkernel=64M@16M" tells the system kern <<
259 starting at physical address 0x01000000 (16 <<
260 <<
261 The crashkernel region can be automatically <<
262 kernel at run time. This is done by specify <<
263 or omitting it all together:: <<
264 <<
265 crashkernel=256M@0 <<
266 <<
267 or:: <<
268 <<
269 crashkernel=256M <<
270 <<
271 If the start address is specified, note tha <<
272 kernel will be aligned to a value (which is <<
273 start address is not then any space below t <<
274 wasted. <<
275 <<
276 2) range1:size1[,range2:size2,...][@offset] <<
277 265
278 While the "crashkernel=size[@offset]" synta !! 266 While the "crashkernel=size[@offset]" syntax is sufficient for most
279 configurations, sometimes it's handy to hav !! 267 configurations, sometimes it's handy to have the reserved memory dependent
280 on the value of System RAM -- that's mostly !! 268 on the value of System RAM -- that's mostly for distributors that pre-setup
281 the kernel command line to avoid a unbootab !! 269 the kernel command line to avoid a unbootable system after some memory has
282 been removed from the machine. !! 270 been removed from the machine.
283 271
284 The syntax is:: !! 272 The syntax is::
285 273
286 crashkernel=<range1>:<size1>[,<range2>: !! 274 crashkernel=<range1>:<size1>[,<range2>:<size2>,...][@offset]
287 range=start-[end] !! 275 range=start-[end]
288 276
289 For example:: !! 277 For example::
290 278
291 crashkernel=512M-2G:64M,2G-:128M !! 279 crashkernel=512M-2G:64M,2G-:128M
292 280
293 This would mean: !! 281 This would mean:
294 282
295 1) if the RAM is smaller than 512M, the !! 283 1) if the RAM is smaller than 512M, then don't reserve anything
296 (this is the "rescue" case) !! 284 (this is the "rescue" case)
297 2) if the RAM size is between 512M and !! 285 2) if the RAM size is between 512M and 2G (exclusive), then reserve 64M
298 3) if the RAM size is larger than 2G, t !! 286 3) if the RAM size is larger than 2G, then reserve 128M
299 287
300 3) crashkernel=size,high and crashkernel=size, <<
301 288
302 If memory above 4G is preferred, crashkerne <<
303 fulfill that. With it, physical memory is a <<
304 so could be above 4G if system has more tha <<
305 memory region will be allocated below 4G if <<
306 <<
307 When crashkernel=X,high is passed, kernel c <<
308 region above 4G, low memory under 4G is nee <<
309 three ways to get low memory: <<
310 <<
311 1) Kernel will allocate at least 256M me <<
312 if crashkernel=Y,low is not specified <<
313 2) Let user specify low memory size inst <<
314 3) Specified value 0 will disable low me <<
315 <<
316 crashkernel=0,low <<
317 289
318 Boot into System Kernel 290 Boot into System Kernel
319 ----------------------- !! 291 =======================
>> 292
320 1) Update the boot loader (such as grub, yaboo 293 1) Update the boot loader (such as grub, yaboot, or lilo) configuration
321 files as necessary. 294 files as necessary.
322 295
323 2) Boot the system kernel with the boot parame !! 296 2) Boot the system kernel with the boot parameter "crashkernel=Y@X",
>> 297 where Y specifies how much memory to reserve for the dump-capture kernel
>> 298 and X specifies the beginning of this reserved memory. For example,
>> 299 "crashkernel=64M@16M" tells the system kernel to reserve 64 MB of memory
>> 300 starting at physical address 0x01000000 (16MB) for the dump-capture kernel.
324 301
325 On x86 and x86_64, use "crashkernel=Y[@X]". !! 302 On x86 and x86_64, use "crashkernel=64M@16M".
326 start address 'X' is not necessary, kernel <<
327 area. Unless an explicit start address is e <<
328 303
329 On ppc64, use "crashkernel=128M@32M". 304 On ppc64, use "crashkernel=128M@32M".
330 305
>> 306 On ia64, 256M@256M is a generous value that typically works.
>> 307 The region may be automatically placed on ia64, see the
>> 308 dump-capture kernel config option notes above.
>> 309 If use sparse memory, the size should be rounded to GRANULE boundaries.
>> 310
331 On s390x, typically use "crashkernel=xxM". 311 On s390x, typically use "crashkernel=xxM". The value of xx is dependent
332 on the memory consumption of the kdump syst 312 on the memory consumption of the kdump system. In general this is not
333 dependent on the memory size of the product 313 dependent on the memory size of the production system.
334 314
335 On arm, the use of "crashkernel=Y@X" is no 315 On arm, the use of "crashkernel=Y@X" is no longer necessary; the
336 kernel will automatically locate the crash 316 kernel will automatically locate the crash kernel image within the
337 first 512MB of RAM if X is not given. 317 first 512MB of RAM if X is not given.
338 318
339 On arm64, use "crashkernel=Y[@X]". Note th 319 On arm64, use "crashkernel=Y[@X]". Note that the start address of
340 the kernel, X if explicitly specified, must 320 the kernel, X if explicitly specified, must be aligned to 2MiB (0x200000).
341 321
342 Load the Dump-capture Kernel 322 Load the Dump-capture Kernel
343 ============================ 323 ============================
344 324
345 After booting to the system kernel, dump-captu 325 After booting to the system kernel, dump-capture kernel needs to be
346 loaded. 326 loaded.
347 327
348 Based on the architecture and type of image (r 328 Based on the architecture and type of image (relocatable or not), one
349 can choose to load the uncompressed vmlinux or 329 can choose to load the uncompressed vmlinux or compressed bzImage/vmlinuz
350 of dump-capture kernel. Following is the summa 330 of dump-capture kernel. Following is the summary.
351 331
352 For i386 and x86_64: 332 For i386 and x86_64:
353 333
354 - Use bzImage/vmlinuz if kernel is rel <<
355 - Use vmlinux if kernel is not relocat 334 - Use vmlinux if kernel is not relocatable.
>> 335 - Use bzImage/vmlinuz if kernel is relocatable.
356 336
357 For ppc64: 337 For ppc64:
358 338
359 - Use vmlinux 339 - Use vmlinux
360 340
>> 341 For ia64:
>> 342
>> 343 - Use vmlinux or vmlinuz.gz
>> 344
361 For s390x: 345 For s390x:
362 346
363 - Use image or bzImage 347 - Use image or bzImage
364 348
365 For arm: 349 For arm:
366 350
367 - Use zImage 351 - Use zImage
368 352
369 For arm64: 353 For arm64:
370 354
371 - Use vmlinux or Image 355 - Use vmlinux or Image
372 356
373 If you are using an uncompressed vmlinux image 357 If you are using an uncompressed vmlinux image then use following command
374 to load dump-capture kernel:: 358 to load dump-capture kernel::
375 359
376 kexec -p <dump-capture-kernel-vmlinux-image 360 kexec -p <dump-capture-kernel-vmlinux-image> \
377 --initrd=<initrd-for-dump-capture-kernel> - 361 --initrd=<initrd-for-dump-capture-kernel> --args-linux \
378 --append="root=<root-dev> <arch-specific-op 362 --append="root=<root-dev> <arch-specific-options>"
379 363
380 If you are using a compressed bzImage/vmlinuz, 364 If you are using a compressed bzImage/vmlinuz, then use following command
381 to load dump-capture kernel:: 365 to load dump-capture kernel::
382 366
383 kexec -p <dump-capture-kernel-bzImage> \ 367 kexec -p <dump-capture-kernel-bzImage> \
384 --initrd=<initrd-for-dump-capture-kernel> \ 368 --initrd=<initrd-for-dump-capture-kernel> \
385 --append="root=<root-dev> <arch-specific-op 369 --append="root=<root-dev> <arch-specific-options>"
386 370
387 If you are using a compressed zImage, then use 371 If you are using a compressed zImage, then use following command
388 to load dump-capture kernel:: 372 to load dump-capture kernel::
389 373
390 kexec --type zImage -p <dump-capture-kernel 374 kexec --type zImage -p <dump-capture-kernel-bzImage> \
391 --initrd=<initrd-for-dump-capture-kernel> \ 375 --initrd=<initrd-for-dump-capture-kernel> \
392 --dtb=<dtb-for-dump-capture-kernel> \ 376 --dtb=<dtb-for-dump-capture-kernel> \
393 --append="root=<root-dev> <arch-specific-op 377 --append="root=<root-dev> <arch-specific-options>"
394 378
395 If you are using an uncompressed Image, then u 379 If you are using an uncompressed Image, then use following command
396 to load dump-capture kernel:: 380 to load dump-capture kernel::
397 381
398 kexec -p <dump-capture-kernel-Image> \ 382 kexec -p <dump-capture-kernel-Image> \
399 --initrd=<initrd-for-dump-capture-kernel> \ 383 --initrd=<initrd-for-dump-capture-kernel> \
400 --append="root=<root-dev> <arch-specific-op 384 --append="root=<root-dev> <arch-specific-options>"
401 385
>> 386 Please note, that --args-linux does not need to be specified for ia64.
>> 387 It is planned to make this a no-op on that architecture, but for now
>> 388 it should be omitted
>> 389
402 Following are the arch specific command line o 390 Following are the arch specific command line options to be used while
403 loading dump-capture kernel. 391 loading dump-capture kernel.
404 392
405 For i386 and x86_64: !! 393 For i386, x86_64 and ia64:
406 394
407 "1 irqpoll nr_cpus=1 reset_devices" !! 395 "1 irqpoll maxcpus=1 reset_devices"
408 396
409 For ppc64: 397 For ppc64:
410 398
411 "1 maxcpus=1 noirqdistrib reset_device 399 "1 maxcpus=1 noirqdistrib reset_devices"
412 400
413 For s390x: 401 For s390x:
414 402
415 "1 nr_cpus=1 cgroup_disable=memory" !! 403 "1 maxcpus=1 cgroup_disable=memory"
416 404
417 For arm: 405 For arm:
418 406
419 "1 maxcpus=1 reset_devices" 407 "1 maxcpus=1 reset_devices"
420 408
421 For arm64: 409 For arm64:
422 410
423 "1 nr_cpus=1 reset_devices" !! 411 "1 maxcpus=1 reset_devices"
424 412
425 Notes on loading the dump-capture kernel: 413 Notes on loading the dump-capture kernel:
426 414
427 * By default, the ELF headers are stored in EL 415 * By default, the ELF headers are stored in ELF64 format to support
428 systems with more than 4GB memory. On i386, 416 systems with more than 4GB memory. On i386, kexec automatically checks if
429 the physical RAM size exceeds the 4 GB limit 417 the physical RAM size exceeds the 4 GB limit and if not, uses ELF32.
430 So, on non-PAE systems, ELF32 is always used 418 So, on non-PAE systems, ELF32 is always used.
431 419
432 The --elf32-core-headers option can be used 420 The --elf32-core-headers option can be used to force the generation of ELF32
433 headers. This is necessary because GDB curre 421 headers. This is necessary because GDB currently cannot open vmcore files
434 with ELF64 headers on 32-bit systems. 422 with ELF64 headers on 32-bit systems.
435 423
436 * The "irqpoll" boot parameter reduces driver 424 * The "irqpoll" boot parameter reduces driver initialization failures
437 due to shared interrupts in the dump-capture 425 due to shared interrupts in the dump-capture kernel.
438 426
439 * You must specify <root-dev> in the format co 427 * You must specify <root-dev> in the format corresponding to the root
440 device name in the output of mount command. 428 device name in the output of mount command.
441 429
442 * Boot parameter "1" boots the dump-capture ke 430 * Boot parameter "1" boots the dump-capture kernel into single-user
443 mode without networking. If you want network 431 mode without networking. If you want networking, use "3".
444 432
445 * We generally don't have to bring up a SMP ke 433 * We generally don't have to bring up a SMP kernel just to capture the
446 dump. Hence generally it is useful either to 434 dump. Hence generally it is useful either to build a UP dump-capture
447 kernel or specify maxcpus=1 option while loa 435 kernel or specify maxcpus=1 option while loading dump-capture kernel.
448 Note, though maxcpus always works, you had b 436 Note, though maxcpus always works, you had better replace it with
449 nr_cpus to save memory if supported by the c 437 nr_cpus to save memory if supported by the current ARCH, such as x86.
450 438
451 * You should enable multi-cpu support in dump- 439 * You should enable multi-cpu support in dump-capture kernel if you intend
452 to use multi-thread programs with it, such a 440 to use multi-thread programs with it, such as parallel dump feature of
453 makedumpfile. Otherwise, the multi-thread pr 441 makedumpfile. Otherwise, the multi-thread program may have a great
454 performance degradation. To enable multi-cpu 442 performance degradation. To enable multi-cpu support, you should bring up an
455 SMP dump-capture kernel and specify maxcpus/ !! 443 SMP dump-capture kernel and specify maxcpus/nr_cpus, disable_cpu_apicid=[X]
>> 444 options while loading it.
456 445
457 * For s390x there are two kdump modes: If a EL 446 * For s390x there are two kdump modes: If a ELF header is specified with
458 the elfcorehdr= kernel parameter, it is used 447 the elfcorehdr= kernel parameter, it is used by the kdump kernel as it
459 is done on all other architectures. If no el 448 is done on all other architectures. If no elfcorehdr= kernel parameter is
460 specified, the s390x kdump kernel dynamicall 449 specified, the s390x kdump kernel dynamically creates the header. The
461 second mode has the advantage that for CPU a 450 second mode has the advantage that for CPU and memory hotplug, kdump has
462 not to be reloaded with kexec_load(). 451 not to be reloaded with kexec_load().
463 452
464 * For s390x systems with many attached devices 453 * For s390x systems with many attached devices the "cio_ignore" kernel
465 parameter should be used for the kdump kerne 454 parameter should be used for the kdump kernel in order to prevent allocation
466 of kernel memory for devices that are not re 455 of kernel memory for devices that are not relevant for kdump. The same
467 applies to systems that use SCSI/FCP devices 456 applies to systems that use SCSI/FCP devices. In that case the
468 "allow_lun_scan" zfcp module parameter shoul 457 "allow_lun_scan" zfcp module parameter should be set to zero before
469 setting FCP devices online. 458 setting FCP devices online.
470 459
471 Kernel Panic 460 Kernel Panic
472 ============ 461 ============
473 462
474 After successfully loading the dump-capture ke 463 After successfully loading the dump-capture kernel as previously
475 described, the system will reboot into the dum 464 described, the system will reboot into the dump-capture kernel if a
476 system crash is triggered. Trigger points are 465 system crash is triggered. Trigger points are located in panic(),
477 die(), die_nmi() and in the sysrq handler (ALT 466 die(), die_nmi() and in the sysrq handler (ALT-SysRq-c).
478 467
479 The following conditions will execute a crash 468 The following conditions will execute a crash trigger point:
480 469
481 If a hard lockup is detected and "NMI watchdog 470 If a hard lockup is detected and "NMI watchdog" is configured, the system
482 will boot into the dump-capture kernel ( die_n 471 will boot into the dump-capture kernel ( die_nmi() ).
483 472
484 If die() is called, and it happens to be a thr 473 If die() is called, and it happens to be a thread with pid 0 or 1, or die()
485 is called inside interrupt context or die() is 474 is called inside interrupt context or die() is called and panic_on_oops is set,
486 the system will boot into the dump-capture ker 475 the system will boot into the dump-capture kernel.
487 476
488 On powerpc systems when a soft-reset is genera 477 On powerpc systems when a soft-reset is generated, die() is called by all cpus
489 and the system will boot into the dump-capture 478 and the system will boot into the dump-capture kernel.
490 479
491 For testing purposes, you can trigger a crash 480 For testing purposes, you can trigger a crash by using "ALT-SysRq-c",
492 "echo c > /proc/sysrq-trigger" or write a modu 481 "echo c > /proc/sysrq-trigger" or write a module to force the panic.
493 482
494 Write Out the Dump File 483 Write Out the Dump File
495 ======================= 484 =======================
496 485
497 After the dump-capture kernel is booted, write 486 After the dump-capture kernel is booted, write out the dump file with
498 the following command:: 487 the following command::
499 488
500 cp /proc/vmcore <dump-file> 489 cp /proc/vmcore <dump-file>
501 490
502 or use scp to write out the dump file between <<
503 <<
504 scp /proc/vmcore remote_username@remote_ip: <<
505 <<
506 You can also use makedumpfile utility to write <<
507 with specified options to filter out unwanted <<
508 <<
509 makedumpfile -l --message-level 1 -d 31 /pr <<
510 491
511 Analysis 492 Analysis
512 ======== 493 ========
513 494
514 Before analyzing the dump image, you should re 495 Before analyzing the dump image, you should reboot into a stable kernel.
515 496
516 You can do limited analysis using GDB on the d 497 You can do limited analysis using GDB on the dump file copied out of
517 /proc/vmcore. Use the debug vmlinux built with 498 /proc/vmcore. Use the debug vmlinux built with -g and run the following
518 command:: 499 command::
519 500
520 gdb vmlinux <dump-file> 501 gdb vmlinux <dump-file>
521 502
522 Stack trace for the task on processor 0, regis 503 Stack trace for the task on processor 0, register display, and memory
523 display work fine. 504 display work fine.
524 505
525 Note: GDB cannot analyze core files generated 506 Note: GDB cannot analyze core files generated in ELF64 format for x86.
526 On systems with a maximum of 4GB of memory, yo 507 On systems with a maximum of 4GB of memory, you can generate
527 ELF32-format headers using the --elf32-core-he 508 ELF32-format headers using the --elf32-core-headers kernel option on the
528 dump kernel. 509 dump kernel.
529 510
530 You can also use the Crash utility to analyze 511 You can also use the Crash utility to analyze dump files in Kdump
531 format. Crash is available at the following UR !! 512 format. Crash is available on Dave Anderson's site at the following URL:
532 <<
533 https://github.com/crash-utility/crash <<
534 513
535 Crash document can be found at: !! 514 http://people.redhat.com/~anderson/
536 https://crash-utility.github.io/ <<
537 515
538 Trigger Kdump on WARN() 516 Trigger Kdump on WARN()
539 ======================= 517 =======================
540 518
541 The kernel parameter, panic_on_warn, calls pan 519 The kernel parameter, panic_on_warn, calls panic() in all WARN() paths. This
542 will cause a kdump to occur at the panic() cal 520 will cause a kdump to occur at the panic() call. In cases where a user wants
543 to specify this during runtime, /proc/sys/kern 521 to specify this during runtime, /proc/sys/kernel/panic_on_warn can be set to 1
544 to achieve the same behaviour. 522 to achieve the same behaviour.
545 523
546 Trigger Kdump on add_taint() <<
547 ============================ <<
548 <<
549 The kernel parameter panic_on_taint facilitate <<
550 from within add_taint() whenever the value set <<
551 bit flag being set by add_taint(). <<
552 This will cause a kdump to occur at the add_ta <<
553 <<
554 Contact 524 Contact
555 ======= 525 =======
556 526
557 - kexec@lists.infradead.org !! 527 - Vivek Goyal (vgoyal@redhat.com)
>> 528 - Maneesh Soni (maneesh@in.ibm.com)
558 529
559 GDB macros 530 GDB macros
560 ========== 531 ==========
561 532
562 .. include:: gdbmacros.txt 533 .. include:: gdbmacros.txt
563 :literal: 534 :literal:
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