Re: [RFC 03/16] kgr: initial code

From: Aravinda Prasad
Date: Wed May 14 2014 - 07:19:49 EST




On Wednesday 14 May 2014 04:14 PM, Jiri Slaby wrote:
> On 05/14/2014 12:41 PM, Aravinda Prasad wrote:
>>
>>
>> On Wednesday 14 May 2014 03:42 PM, Jiri Slaby wrote:
>>> On 05/14/2014 11:28 AM, Aravinda Prasad wrote:
>>>> On Wednesday 30 April 2014 08:00 PM, Jiri Slaby wrote:
>>>>> From: Jiri Kosina <jkosina@xxxxxxx>
>>>>>
>>>>> Provide initial implementation. We are now able to do ftrace-based
>>>>> runtime patching of the kernel code.
>>>>>
>>>>> In addition to that, we will provide a kgr_patcher module in the next
>>>>> patch to test the functionality.
>>>>
>>>> Hi Jiri,
>>>>
>>>> Interesting! I have couple of comments:
>>>>
>>>> I think with kgraft (also with kpatch, though have not looked into
>>>> it yet), the patched function cannot be dynamically ftraced.
>>>> Though dynamic ftrace can be enabled on the new code, the user is
>>>> required to know the function label of the new code. This could
>>>> potentially break existing scripts. I think this should be documented.
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> of course that the functions can be traced. Look, I turned on tracing
>>> for capable, then patched, then turned on tracing for new_capable (which
>>> is the patched function). So now, trace shows:
>>> console-kit-dae-535 [001] ...1 181.729698: capable <-vt_ioctl
>>> console-kit-dae-539 [001] ...1 181.729741: capable <-vt_ioctl
>>> console-kit-dae-541 [000] .N.1 181.906014: capable <-vt_ioctl
>>> systemd-1 [001] ...1 181.937328: capable <-SyS_epoll_ctl
>>> sshd-662 [001] ...1 246.437561: capable <-sock_setsockopt
>>> sshd-662 [001] ...1 246.437564: new_capable
>>> <-sock_setsockopt
>>> sshd-662 [001] ...1 246.444790: capable <-sock_setsockopt
>>> sshd-662 [001] ...1 246.444793: new_capable
>>> <-sock_setsockopt
>>> dbus-daemon-128 [000] .N.1 246.456307: capable <-SyS_epoll_ctl
>>> dbus-daemon-128 [000] ...1 246.456611: new_capable <-SyS_epoll_ctl
>>>
>>>
>>> There is no limitation thanks to the use of the ftrace subsystem. We are
>>> just another user, i.e. another piece of code called in a loop for a
>>> particular fentry location.
>>
>> Yes true. What I intended to mention is that: the trace is turned on
>> for "capable" then the function is patched. Eventually, once the patch
>> is finalized, there will be no trace log for "capable". Someone tracing
>> the function "capable", not aware of patching, may think that it has not
>> been invoked. The user, hence, is expected to start tracing
>> "new_capable". I think this should be documented.
>
> As you can see in the trace log above, no. fentry of capable is still
> traced (and new_capable is traced along)...
>
>> What if someone turns on tracing for "capable" after it is patched?
>> Will it overwrite the slow/fast stub?
>
> Nope, it would look like in the example above.

Thanks for clarifying.

So if I understand correctly, at some point, for very small duration,
we will have both slow stub and fast stub registered. It is possible
that both of them could be invoked and as mentioned in the code
that should not cause any problem.

Regards,
Aravinda

>
> thanks,
>

--
Regards,
Aravinda

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