Using virtualization for online kernel profiling, code coverage and instrumentation

Kernel development is considered more challenging than user space development, partly due the lack of adequate development tools. We present LgDb, an innovative framework for kernel profiling, code coverage and instrumentation. LgDb is built on top of Lguest and allows running inspected kernel modules on virtual environment. The innovation lies on the fact that Lguest hypervisor takes active part in the kernel development process. Unlike previous approaches, that used standard kernel profilers on a guest, we enlist the hypervisor to our aid to achieve better profiling of inspected kernel modules. LgDb strives to provide generic environment for running performance evaluation and checking decision coverage for any inspected kernel module.