Preparing the System for Debugging

Preparing the System for Debugging

The standalone debugger symmon is a key tool for driver programming. It must be installed in the volume header of the boot disk. In order for it to be useful you must boot a "debugging" kernel, that is, one that retains symbols, and contains the display modules, that are used by debugging tools. Normally these modules and symbols are eliminated to save space. You modify the irix.sm file to enable debugging, and then generate a new kernel.

All these steps should be performed before you attempt to install your device driver.

Placing symmon in the Volume Header
Enabling Debugging in irix.sm
Generating a Debugging Kernel
Specifying a Separate System Console
Verifying the Debugging Tools