x86: How to Boot a System With the Kernel Debugger (kmdb)

This procedure shows the basics for loading the kernel debugger (kmdb) in Oracle Solaris 10. The savecore feature is enabled by default. For more detailed information about using the kernel debugger, see the Oracle Solaris Modular Debugger Guide.

For step-by-step instructions on booting a system with the kernel debugger in the current Solaris release, see x86: How to Boot a System With the Kernel Debugger in the GRUB Boot Environment (kmdb).

1. Boot the system.

2. Type b -k at the Select (b)oot or (i)nterpreter prompt. Press Enter.

3. Access the kernel debugger.

   The method used to enter the debugger is dependent upon the type of console that is used to access the system:

   • If a locally attached keyboard is being used, press F1–A.

   • If a serial console is being used, send a break by using the method appropriate to the type of serial console that is being used.

   A welcome message is displayed when you access the kernel debugger for the first time.

Example 16–7 x86: Booting a System With the Kernel Debugger (kmdb)

Typing b -k at the Select (b)oot or (i)nterpreter boot prompt boots a system to its default mode and also loads kmdb. This example shows how to boot an x86 based system that has 32–bit computing capabilities to 32–bit mode and also load kmdb.

Press any key to reboot.
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<<< Current Boot Parameters >>>
Boot path: /pci@0,0/pci-ide@7,1/ide@0/cmdk@0,0:a
Boot args:

Type    b [file-name] [boot-flags] <ENTER>     to boot with options
or      i <ENTER>                              to enter boot interpreter
or      <ENTER>                                to boot with defaults
Running Configuration Assistant...
                  <<< timeout in 5 seconds >>>

Select (b)oot or (i)nterpreter: b -k
Loading kmdb...
SunOS Release 5.10 Version gate:2004-10-21 32-bit
Copyright 1983-2004 Sun Microsystems, Inc.  All rights reserved.
Use is subject to license terms.
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Example 16–8 x64: Manually Booting a System That Has 64-Bit Computing Capabilities to 64-Bit Mode With the Kernel Debugger (kmdb)

This example shows how to manually boot an x86 based system that has 64-bit computing capabilities to 64-bit mode with kmdb.

Press any key to reboot
        .
        .
        .
            <<< Current Boot Parameters >>>
Boot path: /pci@0,0/pci-ide@7,1/ide@0/cmdk@0,0:a
Boot args:
Type    b [file-name] [boot-flags] <ENTER>     to boot with options
or      i <ENTER>                              to enter boot interpreter
or      <ENTER>                                to boot with defaults

            <<< timeout in 5 seconds >>>

Select (b)oot or (i)nterpreter: b kernel/amd64/unix -k
Loading kmdb...

Example 16–9 32-bit x64: Manually Booting a System That Has 64-Bit Computing Capabilities to 32-Bit Mode With the Kernel Debugger (kmdb)

This example shows how to manually boot an x86 based system that has 64-bit computing capabilities to 32-bit mode with kmdb.

Press any key to reboot
        .
        .
        .
            <<< Current Boot Parameters >>>
Boot path: /pci@0,0/pci-ide@7,1/ide@0/cmdk@0,0:a
Boot args:
Type    b [file-name] [boot-flags] <ENTER>     to boot with options
or      i <ENTER>                              to enter boot interpreter
or      <ENTER>                                to boot with defaults

            <<< timeout in 5 seconds >>>

Select (b)oot or (i)nterpreter: b kernel/unix -k
Loading kmdb...