Kernel Debugging Process

A Kernel Debugging Process is a system diagnostic methodology that diagnoses and resolves issues within operating system kernels using specialized debugging techniques.

• AKA: Kernel-Level Debugging, Kernel-Mode Debugging, System Kernel Debugging, OS Kernel Debugging.
• Context:
  • It can typically involve Memory Analysis using memory dump files.
  • It can typically require Symbol Resolution through debug symbol files.
  • It can often utilize Breakpoint Setting via hardware breakpoints.
  • It can often employ Stack Trace Analysis with call stack examinations.
  • It can support Driver Debugging through driver verification tools.
  • It can enable Crash Analysis using blue screen dumps.
  • It can facilitate Performance Profiling via kernel profiling tools.
  • It can range from being a Local Kernel Debugging Process to being a Remote Kernel Debugging Process, depending on its debugging configuration.
  • It can range from being a Live Kernel Debugging Process to being a Post-Mortem Kernel Debugging Process, depending on its system state.
  • It can range from being a Interactive Kernel Debugging Process to being an Automated Kernel Debugging Process, depending on its user involvement.
  • It can range from being a Single-Thread Kernel Debugging Process to being a Multi-Thread Kernel Debugging Process, depending on its thread scope.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Windows Kernel Debugging, such as:
    • WinDbg Kernel Debugging - Microsoft's kernel debugger.
    • KD Kernel Debugging - command-line kernel debugger.
  • Linux Kernel Debugging, such as:
    • GDB Kernel Debugging - GNU debugger for kernel.
    • KGDB Kernel Debugging - kernel's built-in debugger.
  • Specialized Kernel Debugging Techniques, such as:
    • Serial Port Kernel Debugging - via COM port connection.
    • FireWire Kernel Debugging - high-speed debugging.
    • Network Kernel Debugging - remote debugging over network.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Application Debugging Process, which operates in user space only.
  • Script Debugging Process, which lacks kernel-level access.
  • Web Debugging Process, which focuses on browser-based issues.
  • Hardware Debugging Process, which tests physical components.
• See: System Diagnostic Methodology, Application Debugging Process, Debugging Process, Operating System Kernel, Windows NT Operating System, Assembly Language Programming, System Call Tracing, Kernel Panic Analysis, Blue Screen of Death, Dave Plummer.

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