How to get taskinfo to report kernel threads in BigSur

How to get taskinfo to report kernel threads in BigSur

What do you need that info for?

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Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@apple.com"

I'm trying to investigate problems related to performance with our Kernel Extension. This is an audio over ethernet solution, so it involves threads with time-constrained (realtime) priority and the network interface drivers.

Thanks.
Devendra.

ps: I realize we need to move out of the kernel using NWEthernetChannel for our protocol, but we're waiting for Apple to provide a way to receive (and send) packets in realtime priority in user mode (FB7733818).

I'm trying to investigate problems related to performance with our
Kernel Extension.

Well, that’s exciting. My go-to tool for this is Instruments, and specifically the System Trace instrument, but it wouldn’t surprise me if you’ve run off the end of what it can do for you.

Beyond that I don’t have any immediate suggestions. If you open a DTS tech support incident I can allocate the time to dig into this and get you a proper answer (although, just to set expectations, that answer may be “It’s no longer possible.”).

ps: I realize we need to move out of the kernel … (FB7733818).

Thanks for filing that bug.

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Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@apple.com"

Hi Quinn,

Thanks - yes I'm using the System Trace Instrument. Since this happens on a remote Mac (which doesn't have/want to install Xcode), I'm using ktrace (artrace) to capture a trace which includes the system trace and am using Instruments to analyze this.

It would be nice to have taskinfo provide more details about the thread states, but I may be able to get by without it.

Thanks for your help and suggestions. Will open the DTS incident if we need to go there.

Devendra.

If anybody is looking here, I want to update that the latest macOS versions have restored the functionality o taskinfo reporting information about kernel task threads.