8.3.2.1. ftrace

Try these first

1. 1.

   What command do you use to set ftrace to function tracing?

   Hint

   Think about how you would set a variable in the kernel.

2. 2.

   How do you enable tracing in ftrace?

   Hint

   Consider how you would turn on a feature.

3. 3.

   What does ftrace primarily do?

   • Monitor user-space processes
   • Trace kernel function calls
   • Optimize CPU scheduling

   Hint

   Consider what 'trace' implies in terms of observing function behavior within the kernel.

4. 4.

   True or False: ftrace can only analyze performance in user-space applications.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about the difference between user-space and kernel-space functionality.

5. 5.

   Using ftrace, explain how you would identify and optimize a slow-running kernel function.

   Hint

   Think about how visibility into function execution can lead to targeted improvements.

6. 6.

   Design a small experiment using ftrace to compare the performance of two different kernel functions.

   Hint

   Consider how direct comparison can help illuminate performance disparities.