Kernel Internals for Linux Admins

Understanding kernel internals is valuable not only for those interested in developing kernel-related software but also for system administrators. This training program aims to equip Linux admins with the knowledge to analyze the runtime behavior of Linux in various scenarios.

Even experienced Linux admins can benefit from learning how to attach probes to specific areas and gather system statistics efficiently without relying on excessive tooling.

Agenda

• Overview of major subsystems in Linux and how they interact with each other.
• Deep dive into storage, network, CPU scheduling, security and container subsystems.
• Key kernel functions where attaching probes is fruitful when debugging issues.
• Differences between kernel versions of major Linux distributions (Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, SLES).
• Deep dive into /proc, /sys and debugfs interfaces to understand how common tools work on Linux.
• Introduction to kernel tracing using perf, ftrace, bpftrace and other tools.