Revision as of 17:01, 15 February 2012

Feature Name: Systemtap 2.0

Summary

A major new version of systemtap.

Owner

Name: Frank Ch. Eigler
Email: fche@redhat.com

Current status

Targeted release: Fedora 18
Last updated: 2012-02-15
Percentage of completion: 10%

Detailed Description

For this next major release of systemtap, the team is hoping to deliver an optional new backend that allows unprivileged users to instrument their programs, without any kernel module building or root privileges.

Benefit to Fedora

Reduction of security attack surface, by less reliance on setuid / kernel facilities. Increased process introspection capability. Higher performance process introspection.

Scope

Impact is limited to this package.

How To Test

The packaged testsuite should cover the general capabilities of the tool, to avoid regressions.

User Experience

User experience from prior versions should not change. Completely unprivileged users should become able to instrument their own programs without any kernel- or root-dependent machinations.

Dependencies

The [[1]] library needs to be packaged for Fedora (or perhaps bundled into systemtap).

Contingency Plan

If the pure-userspace work is not completed in time, the then-newest upstream systemtap can be issued for Fedora 18.

Documentation

TBD.

Release Notes