The Linux kernel has been updated with several serviceability improvements, chiefly around the kdump and SystemTap features.

The kdump enhancements should improve the ability to reliably and quickly create crash dumps that can be analysed offline. The new SystemTap features enable IT professionals to debug a running system in real-time without affecting performance or recompiling.

"Kdump is especially significant since it represents the first crash dump tool accepted into the mainline kernel. We expect it to be really valuable for the kernel development team, permitting us to gather detailed information regarding kernel bugs from our worldwide testing team," said Andrew Morton, one of the kernel maintainers.

Ron Pettit, initiative manager at the OSDL (Open Source Development Labs), added: "Because of the efforts of many individuals and companies from the Linux development community, users will gain important improvements to serviceability tools."

The features are now available in the main Linux distributions. Some of the largest contributors to the latest improvements include HP, IBM, Intel, Novell and Red Hat.

Related links

Leave a comment

You must read and type the 6 chars within 0..9 and A..F

* indicates mandatory fields.

Log in


Sign up | Forgot your password?

Blogs

RSS feed

  • Staff Aussies to pay more for Win 7

    If you are looking to make some money in these troubled times, perhaps importing copies of Windows 7 could be for you. Read more »

    -- posted by Staff

  • Staff Firefox: Greens want it, 3.5rc2 not up to par

    This week's roundup looks at the situation surrounding a campaign to change Outlook HTML renderer, a Greens MP wants to install Firefox but is restricted and all the photos from the iPhone 3GS launch. Read more »

    -- posted by Staff

  • Chris Duckett Microsoft misses the Outlook point

    Ask designers which mail program is the bane of their existence, and you'll find that Outlook tops the list. The reason why the most popular email reader is also the most painful is simple: it uses Word to render HTML emails. Read more »

    -- posted by Chris Duckett

What's on?