Kernel Object Data in User Dumps for Root Cause Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional software issue identification methods, such as examining memory dump files, often fail to provide sufficient data to determine the root cause of issues like file handle leakage, as they lack file name associations and thread identification, making it difficult to pinpoint the location of software problems.
Innovation Solution
Retrieving and storing selected data elements from the operating system kernel before a memory dump, including file names associated with outstanding file handles and sync objects, to analyze and identify root causes of software issues like handle leaks, deadlocks, and thread hangs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If only memory dump files are examined for software issue identification, then the analysis process is simple, but sufficient data is not provided to determine root causes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection by capturing kernel object information (file names, handle associations, thread IDs) before the memory dump occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when a software issue occurs, the necessary contextual information is already available, eliminating the need for complex post-crash forensics and providing complete data for root cause analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (kernel debugger or monitoring system) that sits between the kernel and the memory dump process. This intermediary captures and stores relevant kernel object information in an accessible format, mediating between the raw memory state and the analyst, thereby providing sufficient information without requiring direct examination of complex memory structures.
2Loss of information
If file handle data is stored without file name associations, then storage space is conserved, but root cause identification becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the specific kernel object information that is relevant to software issue identification (file names associated with handles, thread IDs, sync object names) from the full kernel memory structure. By taking out only these essential elements and storing them in an organized format, the system provides complete file name associations without requiring storage of the entire kernel memory image.
3Loss of time
If comprehensive kernel data is collected before memory dump, then root cause identification is improved, but processing time and resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by collecting only the specific subset of kernel data that is most valuable for software issue identification (file handle associations, thread information, sync object states) rather than capturing all possible kernel information. This selective data collection reduces processing resources and storage requirements while still providing sufficient information to significantly reduce analysis time and identify root causes efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved method of analyzing software issues may include retrieving and storing selected data elements from the operating system kernel data prior to performing a memory dump. The method of retrieving the selected kernel data may include creating a thread dedicated to collecting the data and storing it in a memory location for analysis after the memory dump. The operating system kernel data may be analyzed in conjunction with the prior art dump data to identify a root cause of the software issue.