on-line kernel debugging using USB to DB9

[vikasmn]

Hi Everyone,

I just started working on FreeBSD and I have a couple of questions:
1). Is On-line kernel debugging possible using USB to DB9 adapter or should I use only COM1 port (I dont have one:()?
2). I want to see the internel working of in-kernel NAT (IPFIREWALL_NAT) on FreeBSD. What is the best way to do this or to do Symbolic debugging on freeBSD?...Can on-line Kernel debugging help me in this?

Please help me out on this.

This is my first post and looking forward to hearing from you guys:). Thanks.

[trasz@]

1. I believe it is possible to use USB dongle to debug the kernel. I didn't try it yet, though.

2. Remote GDB might help you there (http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en/books/developers-handbook/kerneldebug-online-gdb.html); however, you will need two machines. Also, if you want to see how things work (as opposed to debugging a crash), you could try to use DTrace.

[vikasmn]

Thanks so much...I am now trying to use Dtrace for my analysis...