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Accelerated Linux Core Dump Analysis

Gain insights into debugging Linux process and kernel failures using GDB and crash utility. Delve into memory dump analysis, identifying issues like memory leaks, CPU spikes, and deadlocks.

Advanced

53 Lessons

15h

Certificate of Completion

Gain insights into debugging Linux process and kernel failures using GDB and crash utility. Delve into memory dump analysis, identifying issues like memory leaks, CPU spikes, and deadlocks.

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This course includes

24 Playgrounds

13 Quizzes

Course Overview

What You'll Learn

Course Content

Recommendations

Course Overview

It’s essential to examine core dumps to diagnose any non-trivial hangs or crashes due to a user process or the kernel faults. Most people have no training in dealing with core dumps, so the causes of most crashes remain undiagnosed. This course starts with debugging core dumps. You will learn how to debug the Linux process and kernel failures (using the GDB debugger and the crash utility), browse core memory dumps, identify corruption, memory leaks, CPU spikes, halted threads, deadlocks and wait chains, am...Show More

TAKEAWAY SKILLS

Debugging

Bash

What You'll Learn

A working knowledge of how to collect core dumps

A hands-on knowledge on how to diagnose crashes/hangs via core dump analysis

The ability to apply pattern-oriented analysis on 64-bit core dumps on x86 architecture

A familiarity with debugging to diagnose common faults

The ability to use GDB debugger to analyze Linux process core dump

An understanding of using the crash utility to analyze Linux kernel core dumps

A working knowledge of how to collect core dumps

Course Content

Getting Started

1 Lessons

Get familiar with core dump analysis and practical skills for diagnosing crashes and hangs.

What Is This Course About?

Fundamentals of Core Dump Analysis

7 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of core dump analysis in Linux, covering memory, threads, exceptions, and diagnostics.

Virtual Memory and Memory Dumps

The Role of Threads

Exceptions

Collecting User Process Core Dumps

Overview of the x64 Disassembly

Pattern-Oriented Diagnostic Analysis

Quiz: Fundamentals of Core Dump Analysis

Using GDB With Multi-Threaded Applications

5 Lessons

Work your way through debugging multi-threaded applications using GDB commands and core dump analysis.

GDB: An Overview

Use GDB with a Multi-Threaded Application I

Use GDB with a Multi-Threaded Application II

Core Dump Analysis Challenge

Quiz: Using GDB With Multi-Threaded Applications

Null Pointer Patterns and External Debugging Information

5 Lessons

Apply your skills to detect and debug NULL pointer exceptions using core dump analysis.

Detect NULL Pointer Exceptions Due to Data

Detect NULL Pointer Exceptions Due to Code

Use External Debugging Information

The NULL Pointer (Data and Code) Analysis Patterns

Quiz: NULL Pointer Patterns and External Debugging Information

Spiking Threads

3 Lessons

Take a closer look at spiking threads, their identification, and in-depth analysis patterns.

Identify Spiking Threads

Spiking Thread Analysis Pattern

Quiz: Spiking Threads

Heap Corruption

3 Lessons

Follow the process of identifying and debugging heap corruption to manage dynamic memory issues effectively.

Identify Heap Corruption

Dynamic Memory Corruption Pattern

Quiz: Heap Corruption

Stack Corruption and Overflow

4 Lessons

Master the steps to identify and resolve stack corruption and overflow issues using core dump analysis.

Identify Stack Corruption

Identify Stack Overflow

Local Buffer Overflow (User Space) and Stack Overflow Patterns

Quiz: Stack Corruption and Overflow

Active Threads

3 Lessons

Learn how to use core dump analysis to identify and diagnose active thread issues.

Identify Active Threads

Divide-by-Zero Pattern

Quiz: Active Threads

Runtime Exceptions and Execution Residues

3 Lessons

Unpack the core of detecting runtime exceptions and analyzing execution residues in Linux dumps.

Identify Runtime Exceptions and Execution Residues

Patterns Analysis

Quiz: Runtime Exceptions and Execution Residues

10.

Heap Errors

4 Lessons

Lay out a solution for diagnosing and resolving heap leaks, contention, and critical region errors.

Identify Heap Leaks

Identify Heap Contention Errors

Critical Region Pattern

Quiz: Heap Errors

11.

Deadlocks

2 Lessons

Find out about deadlock identification through core dumps, thread stack examination, and mutex analysis.

Identify Deadlocks

Quiz: Deadlocks

12.

Post-processing

2 Lessons

Solve problems in analyzing core dumps through memory snapshots, functions, and variable insights.

Dump Memory for Post-Processing

Quiz: Post-processing

13.

Kernel Dump Analysis with Crash

7 Lessons

Investigate kernel core dumps and utilize the crash tool for extensive debugging.

Overview and Required Tools

Examine Normal Kernel Dumps

Examine Problematic Kernel Dumps

Examine Problems With Kernel Threads

Identify Spiking Kernel Threads

Identify Kernel Stack Overflow and Boundaries

Quiz: Kernel Dump Analysis with Crash

14.

Wrapping Up

2 Lessons

Build on your core dump analysis skills with FAQs and comprehensive troubleshooting knowledge.

FAQs

Conclusion

15.

Appendix

2 Lessons

Try out installing essential debugging tools and utilizing advanced analysis patterns.

How to Install GDB and Crash on a Local Device

More Analysis Patterns: Paratext and Lateral Damage

Course Author

Dmitry Vostokov

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@_webarchitect_

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Evan Dunbar

ML Engineer

"You guys are the gold standard of crash-courses... Narrow enough that it doesn't need years of study or a full blown book to get the gist, but broad enough that an afternoon of Googling doesn't cut it."

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Software Developer

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Front-end Developer

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