linux system map

If this isn't exactly what you wanted, please try our Search (there's a LOT of techy and non-techy stuff here about Linux, Unix, Mac OS X and just computers in general!):

From - Sun Oct 15 14:08:05 2000
Path: news.randori.com!newsfeeder.randori.com!newscon06.news.prodigy.com!newscon04.news.prodigy.com!prodigy.com!news.tele.dk!62.108.1.23!pascal.a2000.nl!newsfeed.a2000.nl!not-for-mail
From: "J.Smith" <lbalbalba@hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.linux.development
Subject: Re: What is a system map, part 2?
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2000 17:44:51 +0200
Organization: A2000 Kabeltelevisie en Telecommunicatie
Lines: 49
Message-ID: <8scj8t$hku$1@spectra.a2000.nl> 
References: <39E6F83C.63A36E54@exit109.com> 
NNTP-Posting-Host: node12bf5.a2000.nl
X-Trace: spectra.a2000.nl 971624541 18078 24.132.43.245 (15 Oct 2000 15:42:21 GMT)
X-Complaints-To: abuse@a2000.nl
NNTP-Posting-Date: 15 Oct 2000 15:42:21 GMT
X-Priority: 3
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4133.2400
Xref: news.randori.com comp.os.linux.misc:233343
X-Mozilla-Status: 8010
X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000

Oh boy, here we go again... :)

For the viewers that have just tuned in, there was a tread on
comp.os.linux.misc not so long ago that discussed the need for and use of
the /boot/System.map file. There also seemed to be some confusion about how
to handle 2 different kernel's in /boot, and the two different
/boot/System.map files that go with it.

Although there was no conclusive evidence, the current status seems to be as
such:


System.map is a "map" of your kernel. It contains info about the entry
points of the functions you compiled into your kernel, and de-bug
information. The kernel itself knows the addresses and entry-points, but
that file is needed for some programs which need info about kernel entry
points. These programs are klogd(8), ksymoops(8), depmod(8), and the procps
tools (ps(1), top(1), ...).  These programs don't all do the same thing in
looking for System.map files. depmod(8) doesn't need a System.map file if
it's operating on the currently running kernel. ps(1) and klogd(8) like to
find a System.map file, but don't look in the same places.

You may have noticed that I have taken the liberty of cross-posting this
message to os.linux.development. Although this may seem a little bit odd, or
off-topic for this newsgroup, but I guess that the only people who can
really clarify what system.map is used for and how you should handle two
kernels&map files are the guys who actually know something about the
source-code :)

------------------------------------------------------------

>
> All this talk about the "system.map" file prompted me to look
> at my directory, /boot.
> I guess my question is: does anyone (i.e., any process,
> including the kernel) use these symbolic links? Because if so,
> I should change them to point to the kernel I normally use. But
> that raises another question: If I boot a different kernel,
> perhaps because I installed one that is no good as the latest
> one, I will get the wrong values for the symbolic links. What
> are the consequences of this?
>

Take Control of Maintaining Your Mac

Take Control of Syncing Data in Snow Leopard

Take Control of Upgrading to Snow Leopard

Macworld Total Snow Leopard Superguide

Jump to Comments

Many of the products and books I review are things I purchased for my own use. Some were given to me specifically for the purpose of reviewing them. I resell or can earn commissions from the sale of some of these items. Links within these pages may be affiliate links that pay me for referring you to them. That's mostly insignificant amounts of money; whenever it is not I have made my relationship plain. I also may own stock in companies mentioned here. If you have any question, please do feel free to contact me.

Specific links that take you to pages that allow you to purchase the item I reviewed are very likely to pay me a commission. Many of the books I review were given to me by the publishers specifically for the purpose of writing a review. These gifts and referral fees do not affect my opinions; I often give bad reviews anyway.

We use Google third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.