Windows Kernel Debugging using USB3 and Using Network

Setting Up Windows Kernel-Mode Debugging over a USB 3.0 Cable

Pre-requisites:

·         xHCI (USB 3.0) host controllers on the host and target computers. (All new platform these days have xHCI USB3 ports)

·         A USB 3.0 debug cable. This is an A-A crossover cable that has only the USB 3.0 lines and no Vbus - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032ANCC8/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

·         Debugging Tool. I used WinDbg. Install - Standalone Debugging Tools for Windows 8.1 (WinDbg) (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=323507). In the installation wizard, select Debugging Tools for Windows, and deselect all other components.

Setting up the Target Computer (The computer that runs the debugger is called the host computer, and the computer being debugged is called the target computer)

1.       Disable selective suspend for the xHCI host controller:

In Device Manager, navigate to the node for the xHCI host controller Properties. Go to Power Management tab and clear the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power check box.

In Device Manager, navigate to the node for the root hub of the xHCI host controller Properties. Go to Power Management tab and clear the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power check box

2.     Run cmd.exe as administrator

bcdedit /debug on

bcdedit /dbgsettings usb targetname:someName  (target name could be any name and not necessarily the actual computer name)

bcdedit /set "{dbgsettings}" busparams x.y.z – where x.y.z is the device location of USB. Go to Device Manager- select xHCHI Host controller, properties and note down the bus, device, and function numbers.

Bcdedit /dbgsettings  (this will show you the current debug settings you set above, verify that it is set as expected)

3.     Connect USB3.0 Cable between host and target Computer and Reboot the computer.

Setting up Host Computer

Install - Standalone WinDbg (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=323507). In the installation wizard, select Debugging Tools for Windows, and deselect all other components.

Open WinDbg - On the File menu, choose Kernel Debug. In the Kernel Debugging dialog box, open the USB tab. Enter the target name that you created when you set up the target computer. Click OK.

WinDbg should connect to the target computer.

If connection does not work:

Try rebooting target if for some reason it fails to connect in first attempt.

Try changing the Cable to another USB port on target machine

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Setting Up Kernel-Mode Debugging over a Network Cable.

Pre-requisites:

Need a supported Ethernet NIC. Looks for the device IDs and see if its listed here http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn337009(v=vs.85).aspx

Standard CAT 5 cable and both machines on same network.

Setting Up the Target Computer

1.     Run cmd.exe as administrator

bcdedit /debug on

      bcdedit /dbgsettings net hostip:w.x.y.z port:n key:Key  (hostIP is the IP address of Host Machine. Choose any Port number from 49152 through 65535. If you do not mention key, it will be randomly generate a long 256 bit key. I prefer to specify my own so that I can remember Key:1.2.3.4)

      bcdedit /set "{dbgsettings}" busparams x.y.z      (where x.y.z is the device location of Ethernet NIC. Get it from Device manager)

2.     Reboot the computer.

Setting up Host Computer

1.     Open WinDbg - On the File menu, choose Kernel Debug. In the Kernel Debugging dialog box, open the Network tab. Enter Port number and Key you got from target computer

 I used a switch and assigned static IP on Host and Target computer and the it worked like charm.