Messages in this thread | | | Date | Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:26:45 -0700 | From | Tim Bird <> | Subject | Re: Ftrace and Systemtap |
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On 03/31/2010 10:36 AM, swb6@aber.ac.uk wrote: > Hi, > I am currently writing up my > dissertation based on dynamic tracing and reducing the learning curve to > understanding the UNIX kernel. I used two dynamic tracing technologies > (Systemtap and Dtrace) to monitor some virtual machines on a network. > Whilst going over my initial review of technologies in the area of dynamic > tracing I realised I had underestimated ftrace, and even dismissed it as > not being dynamic. However I read hear (http://lwn.net/Articles/343766/) > that you were as of July last year trying to introduce a patch that would > allow ftrace the ability to dynamically trace. Also it would be completely > instrumented from the command line without the need to compile a kernel > module al la Systemtap. > > My question is do you think Systemtap will be replaced by ftrace in the > future if so I feel I may need to include this fact in my updated > technology review.
Systemtap addresses a different set of needs than ftrace. Ftrace has been dynamic for some time, but in a different way than Systemtap.
I don't see either system going away soon.
============================= Tim Bird Architecture Group Chair, CE Linux Forum Senior Staff Engineer, Sony Corporation of America =============================
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