8.3.2.2. Key Features

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the primary use of ftrace in kernel profiling?

   Hint

   Think about what tracing function calls accomplish.

2. 2.

   Name one command used to view the output of ftrace.

   Hint

   Consider how you would check log outputs in a system.

3. 3.

   What does ftrace primarily facilitate in kernel-space?

   • Memory allocation
   • Tracing function calls
   • Compilation of code

   Hint

   Consider what aspect of the kernel ftrace is targeting.

4. 4.

   True or False: perf is used exclusively for user-space profiling.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about the versatility of profiling tools.

5. 5.

   Write an analysis plan using both ftrace and perf tools to diagnose performance issues in a Linux kernel application.

   Hint

   Consider how both tools provide different dimensions of analysis.

6. 6.

   Imagine you are tasked with improving the performance of a kernel module. How would you use SystemTap to assist your optimization process?

   Hint

   Focus on the real-time data capture aspects that SystemTap provides for iterative improvements.