Persistent data across reboots

摘要

A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for persisting Lightweight Memory Trace (LMT) data across reboots of a system. One or more LMT traces are stored in a predetermined pinned memory area with a server's operating system (OS) through a system reboot. A pointer to each LMT is likewise stored in nonvolatile storage (NVS) at a known memory location. The pointers in NVS point to a page which describes where the LMT trace and other kernel structures are in real memory. During initialization, the OS guards these preserved pages to prevent them from being used. By keeping the current and prior address within NVS, the current LMT and prior traces can be retrieved and processed to determine the cause of the system reboot.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for preserving a predetermined memory region during a reboot, comprising:
storing a first set of dynamically-generated data in a first predetermined area of real memory; generating a first pointer to the first predetermined area of real memory; storing the first pointer in nonvolatile storage; and protecting the first predetermined area of real memory during a first system reboot process by allocating a first different area of real memory for performing a first set of reboot-related operations; and wherein the first set of dynamically-generated data comprises a first set of Lightweight Memory Trace (LMT) data, the LMT data providing data relating to a constant kernel trace process that records events occurring during system life.