'Frequenty Asked Questions for Lab 0'
Q. I want to download the required paper to read or the task_two.c file, but I am asked a login/password ... what is it?
It was given out the first day of class, it is also listed on the initial CU Learn page. If you can't login to CU Learn (yet), ask someone in the lab.
Q. What is this VxWorks Simulator or VxSim?
According to the VxWorks documentation:
"Wind River VxWorks Simulator (aka VxSim), is a port of VxWorks to the various host architectures. It provides a simulated target for use as a prototyping and test-bed environment. In most regards, its capabilities are identical to a true VxWorks system running on target hardware. Users link in applications and rebuild the VxWorks image exactly as they do in any VxWorks cross-development environment using a standard BSP."
Read more about VxSim by using the help menu in the Work Bench Application or by directly accessing it at the path: C:\WindRiver\docs\extensions\eclipse\plugins\com.windriver.ide.doc.wr_vx_simulator
Q. Wow, the simulator is really cool! Can I do all my labs using the simulator?
You can use the simulator to do all of Lab 0 only if you want to. For other labs, you will have to come into the labs eventually. Mainly because you absolutely cannot trust the timings or System View readings using the simulator under Windows. Why? Read the Simulator docs or listen to the lectures. You will get the answer.
Q. When I typed "i" on the Host Shell, I saw a lot of tasks running but I only have three tasks? What are these tasks and where they come from?
VxWorks have native tasks running on the system all the time. They assentially take of things like network, logging messages and even the host shell itself runs within a native task. You can read up on these tasks under docs for your own information but for this lab, you don't have to worry about them. You will also see them listed in the System View.
Q. For question 8, I read the documentation for VxSim, the default simulator, and it claims it has POSIX support. Do I still need to configure a new kernel image based on the Simulator BSP?
Yes. It is meant as a learning excercise so that you know how to build a kernel for yourself and get familiar with kernel configuration. IMPORTANT: The current install in the lab has an error when trying to create a Simulater Kernel Image. You can skip this step if you are working in the lab.Please document this in your lab report.
Q. For question 9, do I have to follow the exact instructions to set a breakpoint.
Nope, just like in any other reputable application, you can to the same results many different ways. In Work Bench, it is tricky to set a break point. You can ask some of the people in the lab for help if you get stuck.
Q. For question 9, what does it mean by "How many steps are there from a breakpoint set at this entry point until you enter mq_open using the single step into?".
In the mixed mode, you can see the assembly code embedded into the C code. When you step-into the code using F* or the GUI menus, it will step through the assembly code. You can count the assembly instructions the code has to take from the entry to the mq_open.
This page is last updated on August 24, 2008