Course Description

Course Title: Linux Kernel Internals - Mastering the Heart of the OS

Course Duration: 32 Hours

Course Description: This in-depth course will delve into the core of the Linux operating system—the kernel. You will explore the architecture, components, and inner workings of the Linux kernel, enabling you to develop a profound understanding of how it manages processes, memory, hardware, and more. Whether you're an aspiring system administrator, developer, or a tech enthusiast, this course equips you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex world of Linux kernel internals.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to the Linux Kernel

• Understanding the role of the kernel in the OS
• Kernel architecture and components
• The Linux kernel community and development process

Module 2: Kernel Compilation and Boot Process

• Compiling and installing a kernel
• The boot process and initial RAM disk (initrd)
• Kernel command-line parameters

Module 3: Process Management

• Process creation and scheduling
• Process states and the process table
• Signals and process communication
• Fork and exec system calls

 

Moudle 4 : Kernel Scheduling

   - Overview of the Linux kernel scheduler.

   - Scheduling policies and algorithms.

   - Real-time scheduling and its importance.

 

Module 5: Memory Management

• Memory allocation and management
• Virtual memory and paging
• Swapping and memory mapping
• Understanding the buddy system

 

Module 6: File Systems and I/O

• File system architecture
• Virtual file system (VFS) layer
• Block I/O and device drivers
• Caching and buffering

Module 7: Kernel Modules and Loadable Modules 

• Introduction to kernel modules
• Building and loading kernel modules
• Module parameters and symbol exporting

Module 8: System Calls and API

• The role of system calls
• Implementing a simple system call
• Interacting with user-level applications

Module 9: Debugging

• Debugging tools and techniques
• Kernel debugging with GDB and KGDB

Module 10: Real-world Projects and Case Studies (3 hours)

• Real-world use cases and case studies
• Building a custom kernel
• Kernel patching and contributing to the Linux community

Assessments and Projects (2 hours):

• In-course assignments
• Hands-on projects

Course Conclusion (1 hour):

• Recap and review
• Career and learning path in Linux Kernel Internals

This course provides an in-depth understanding of Linux Kernel Internals, covering fundamental concepts, hands-on practice, and real-world applications. It's designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to explore, contribute to, and work with the Linux Kernel.

Practicals during Training : 

 

1. **Linux Kernel Environment Setup:**

   - Install and set up a Linux kernel development environment.

   - Verify the installation of essential tools such as GCC, Git, and Make.

 

2. **Kernel Module Development:**

   - Write a basic kernel module that interacts with kernel functions.

   - Implement module parameters and understand dependency management.

 

3. **Debugging Kernel Code:**

   - Use printk statements for debugging purposes.

   - Utilize the kernel debugger (KDB) for interactive debugging.

 

4. **Tracing Kernel Activities:**

   - Enable and use tracing tools like ftrace.

   - Analyze the output to understand kernel behavior and performance.

 

5. **Kernel Configuration and Compilation:**

   - Explore different kernel configuration options using tools like `make menuconfig` and `make xconfig`.

   - Build a custom kernel and install it.

 

6 **Process Management:**

   - Write a simple kernel module to create and manage processes.

   - Observe process creation, termination, and communication.

 

7. **Memory Management:**

   - Develop a kernel module to allocate and free memory dynamically.

   - Investigate the behavior of kernel memory allocation functions.

 

8. **Concurrency and Locking Mechanisms:**

    - Implement a kernel module with multiple threads.

    - Use spinlocks, semaphores, and mutexes to manage concurrency.

 

9. **Kernel Crash Analysis:**

    - Simulate a kernel crash scenario.

    - Analyze kernel crash dumps and identify potential issues.

 

10. **Project Work - Complex Kernel Modification:**

    - Undertake a substantial project involving modifications to multiple kernel components.

    - Document the changes, challenges faced, and lessons learned.

Hardware Used For Practicals :  Raspberry Pi