Internals of DTrace

-
The Internals of DTrace

The Internals of DTrace

DTrace is a dynamic tracing framework that operates by inserting probes, which are programmable hooks, into the kernel and user space. These probes can then be used to capture a wide variety of events, including system calls, kernel functions, user-level function calls, and hardware events.

Key Components and Concepts of DTrace Internals

  1. Provider: Providers are the sources of probes in DTrace, and they represent subsystems within the operating system or applications that can be traced.
  2. Probe: A probe is a point in the system where DTrace can attach itself to collect data.
  3. Actions: Actions are the tasks that DTrace performs when a probe fires.
  4. Buffers: DTrace maintains a set of circular buffers to store the data captured by probes.
  5. Translators: Translators are used to map the binary data captured by probes to human-readable text.
  6. Aggregations: Aggregations allow DTrace to perform statistical analysis on the data captured by probes.
  7. Predicate: A predicate is a conditional expression that is evaluated whenever a probe fires.
  8. Script: A script is a collection of probes, actions, predicates, and other DTrace components that are used to trace and analyze a specific event or system behavior.

Overall, DTrace is a powerful and flexible tool that provides developers and system administrators with a high-level view of system performance and behavior. Its ability to capture a wide range of events and to perform statistical analysis on the data captured makes it an essential tool for debugging and troubleshooting complex systems.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OpenSolaris and Linux virtual memory and address space structures

-
OpenSolaris and Linux virtual memory and address space structures Read Aloud Stop Reading OpenSolaris and Linux virtual memory and address space structures OpenSolaris and Linux are both popular operating systems that use virtual memory to manage system resources. In this article, we will compare the virtual memory and address space structures of OpenSolaris and Linux. Segmented address space model OpenSolaris uses a segmented address space model, where the address space is divided into multiple segments, each of which is used to store a specific type of data. For example, the text segment is used to store executable code, while the data segment is used to store global and static variables. This model allows for more efficient memory allocation and management, as it reduces the fragmentation of memory. Linux, on the other hand, uses a flat address space model, where the entire address space is treated as a single unit. This model is simpler than the segmented mode
Click Here to Read

Tagged architectures and multi-level UNIX

-
Tagged architectures and multi-level UNIX Read Aloud Stop Reading Tagged architectures and multi-level UNIX Tagged architectures are a class of computer architectures where every memory access is checked to ensure that the access is authorized. The idea behind tagged architectures is to provide fine-grained access control to memory, which can help improve security. The UNIX operating system has been modified to work with tagged architectures to create multi-level UNIX, a system that provides strong security guarantees. Tagged architectures In a tagged architecture, each memory location has an associated tag that specifies the access privileges of the current process. When a process attempts to access a memory location, the tag is checked to ensure that the access is allowed. If the access is not allowed, an exception is raised and the process is terminated or otherwise handled according to a pre-defined policy. Tagged architectures can provide strong securi
Click Here to Read

Tying top-down and bottom-up object and memory page lookups with the actual x86 page translation and segmentation

-
Tying top-down and bottom-up object and memory page lookups with the actual x86 page translation and segmentation Read Aloud Stop Reading Tying top-down and bottom-up object and memory page lookups with the actual x86 page translation and segmentation Object-oriented programming (OOP) and virtual memory management are two essential concepts in modern computer systems. In this article, we will explore the connection between the top-down and bottom-up approaches used in OOP and memory page lookups, and the x86 page translation and segmentation mechanisms. Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches in OOP In OOP, two main approaches are used to design and implement software systems: top-down and bottom-up. The top-down approach starts with the system's high-level requirements and design, and then the details are gradually added until the system is fully specified. The bottom-up approach, on the other hand, starts with the low-level details and gradually bui
Click Here to Read