Interrupts and Bottom Halves in Linux Kernel

🌟 Unlock the Secrets of Interrupts and Bottom Halves in the Linux Kernel! 🚀

Course Title: Linux Kernel Programming - Interrupts and Bottom Halves

Headline: Dive Deep into the Linux Kernel's Core Mechanisms: Understanding Interrupts and Bottom Halves!

What You Will Learn from this Course 🎓

• Interrupts and Exceptions: Explore different types of interrupts and exceptions, including Level Triggered, Edge Triggered, Traps, and Faults.
• Programmable Interrupt Controller & Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC): Gain insights into the IO APIC, Local APIC, and how they manage interrupts in x86 systems.
• CPU Information: Learn to extract detailed information about your x86 CPU using the CPUID instruction.
• Interrupt Handling and Statistics: Discover the process of handling interrupts, including interrupt sharing, return values, IRQ Affinity, and how to monitor interrupt activity within the kernel.
• Linux Drivers: Understand the workings of keyboard, mouse, ethernet drivers, and how they handle interrupts.
• Practical Exercises: Write a Keylogger in Linux Kernel that logs all typed characters legally and ethically for learning purposes.
• Enabling/Disabling Interrupts: Master the timing and implications of enabling and disabling interrupts within the kernel.
• Top and Bottom Halves: Delve into Threaded IRQs, Softirqs, Tasklets, and Workqueues, and understand the differences between them.
• Files and Utilities: Leverage files like /proc/cpuinfo, /proc/interrupts, /proc/irq, and /proc/softirqs for insightful information about the system's interrupt handling.
• API's/Macros/Structures: Get hands-on experience with request_irq, irq_handler_t, local_irq_enable, and other pivotal elements of kernel programming.
• Commands: Master utilities like watch, lspci, and dmesg to interact with the Linux Kernel's interrupt management system.

Course Structure Overview:

1. Interrupts and Exceptions:

   • Types of Interrupts and Exception Handling
   • Understanding the CPUID Instruction

2. Programmable Interrupt Controller (PIC) & Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC):

   • IO APIC, Local APIC Deep Dive

3. CPU Information:

   • Leveraging CPU Features for Efficient Interrupt Handling

4. Interrupt Handling and Statistics:

   • Best Practices in Kernel Interrupt Sharing
   • Monitoring and Analyzing IRQ Activity

5. Linux Device Drivers:

   • Real-world Examples with Keyboard, Mouse, and Ethernet Drivers

6. Practical Exercises:

   • Implementing a Keylogger in the Kernel for Learning Purposes

7. Enabling/Disabling Interrupts:

   • Timing Implications and Synchronization Techniques

8. Top and Bottom Halves:

   • Threaded IRQs, Softirqs, Tasklets, and Workqueues Demystified
   • Understanding the Differences Between softirqs, tasklets, and workqueues

9. Files and Utilities:

   • Exploring Kernel-related Proc Filesystem Entries

10. API's/Macros/Structures:

    • Deep Dive into request_irq, irq_handler_t, Tasklets, Workqueues, and More

11. Commands:

    • Utilizing watch, lspci, and dmesg for Kernel Management

Join us on this journey to master the Linux Kernel's interrupt handling mechanisms and become a kernel programming pro! 🤓 Enroll now to gain the skills that will set you apart in the realm of Linux Kernel Development.