This is the README file for KPT version 0.1 ALPHA.  It is still under
development, and could easily destroy your data.  Furthermore do to
it's very nature even if it is completely bug free, it can still destroy
your data.  There is NO WARANTY.


KPT adds kernel ptrace facilities to Linux.  It allows GDB to be used to
debug the kernel remotely over a serial line.  To use it you will need 
a second machine capable of running GDB and a copy of GDB for it which
supports Linux files and the remote debugging options (the gdb 4.6 for
Linux I downloaded from one of the Major ftp sites works.)

	WARNING: Using the kernel debugger is a good way of trashing
		 your file systems and damaging data.  Use at your
		 own risk.  I know what I'm doing and have managed
		 to damage my file system with it several times.

To use it apply kpt-diffs to the kernel (.99 pl6) and compile kpt.c.
recompile the kernel with the -g option (requires lots of disk space 
time.)  Copy the kernel source and tools/system file to the remote
machine (NFS mounting will not cut it as setting a break point in the
kernel tends to stop everything.)  reboot with the new kernel and
initialize your serial line (I use kermit -l /dev/ttyS0 -b 9600
the line and baudrate don't matter, but they must be the same on
both ends.)  Exit kermit and run kpt on the serial line (kpt /dev/ttyS0
in my case.)  The on the remote machine run gdb and type
	file tools/system (assuming that is where you copied your system
			   file)
	target remote /dev/ttyS0 ( <- substitute your serial device here.) 


There will probably be more documentation and a better version of kpt
after this has been tested.

Ross Biro bir7@leland.stanford.edu 
Member League for Programming Freedom (LPF)
mail lpf@uunet.uu.net to protect your Freedom