Arriba Linux Debugger for MIPS-Based™ Linux Systems

The Arriba Linux Debugger from MIPS Technologies provides developers with the ability to debug the Linux kernel as well as Linux drivers, loadable modules and applications.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the embedded Linux developer is the inability to debug device drivers and/or multi-threaded applications that use shared libraries. The Linux kernel consists of more than 2.5 millions lines of code (LOCs). At an average of ten bugs per thousand LOCs, an embedded Linux device can potentially be exposed to roughly thirty thousands bugs. Consequently, a capable debugger is the developer´s best defense against product delays and defects.

The Arriba Linux Debugger for MIPS-Based systems was developed by MIPS Technologies in cooperation with Viosoft Corporation. It is available exclusively from MIPS Technologies as an Eclipse plug-in for the MIPS Navigator™ ICS (Integrated Component Suite) or for any Eclipse-based Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

The main features of the Arriba Linux Debugger are:

• Low impact on the target system
• Deployable in both development and production environments
• Utilizes high-speed connectivity that allows for responsive debugging
• Can be used for both application and kernel debugging on Linux
• No kernel patches are required, making it easy to deploy and use
• Non-preemptive debugging of kernel and drivers
• Compatible with commercial, open-source or in-house Linux distributions
• Results are displayed in an Eclipse plug-in inside of the MIPS Navigator ICS or any Eclipse-based IDE

The Arriba Linux Debugger includes the VMON2 debug monitor, aimed specifically at solving the difficult debugging problems of embedded Linux. This loadable module communicates with the host system for reliable debugging sessions.

High-speed & Low-cost Connectivity

VMON2 communicates with the Arriba host debugger via the Ethernet connection. VMON2 over Ethernet offers a faster, more reliable, and easier to use means of debugging the target than comparable methods.

Live Debugging

This solution does not halt the target under debug. With other methods, this halting of the target pre-empts the exception handlers on the target from responding to a variety of time sensitive events such as the arrival of network packets, or the completion of certain multi-media operations. Failure to handle such events often leads to undesirable side effects that subsequently impact the target´s operation. VMON2 provides full debugging of device drivers and bottom-half kernel code without disrupting the kernel servicing of time-sensitive events.

Debugging of Production Kernel

Conventional software based debug solutions require source level changes to the Linux kernel. A production kernel is unlikely to have such changes enabled in its code space, and thus cannot be debugged. In contrast, VMON2 can be loaded and unloaded on demand, making it possible to debug a production kernel.

Datenblatt