AMD Debugger API (ROCdbgapi)#

Introduction#

The AMD Debugger API is a library that provides all the support necessary for a debugger and other tools to perform low level control of the execution and inspection of execution state of AMD’s commercially available GPU architectures.

For more information about the AMD ROCm ecosystem, see:

  • https://rocmdocs.amd.com/

Build the AMD Debugger API Library#

The ROCdbgapi library can be built on Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Centos 8.1, RHEL 8.1, and SLES 15 Service Pack 1.

Building the ROCdbgapi library has the following prerequisites:

  1. A C++17 compiler such as GCC 7 or Clang 5.

  2. AMD Code Object Manager Library (ROCcomgr) which can be installed as part of the AMD ROCm release by the comgr package.

  3. ROCm CMake modules which can be installed as part of the AMD ROCm release by the rocm-cmake package.

  4. For Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 20.04 the following adds the needed packages:

    apt install gcc g++ make cmake doxygen graphviz texlive-full
    

    NOTE: The doxygen 1.8.13 that is installed by Ubuntu 18.04 has a bug that prevents the PDF from being created. doxygen 1.8.11 can be built from source to avoid the issue.

  5. For CentOS 8.1 and RHEL 8.1 the following adds the needed packages:

    yum install -y gcc gcc-g++ make cmake doxygen graphviz texlive \
      texlive-xtab texlive-multirow texlive-sectsty texlive-tocloft \
      texlive-tabu texlive-adjustbox
    

    NOTE: The doxygen 1.8.14 that is installed by CentOS 8.1 and RHEL 8.1, has a bug that prevents the PDF from being created. doxygen 1.8.11 can be built from source to avoid the issue.

  6. For SLES 15 Service Pack 15 the following adds the needed packages:

    zypper in gcc gcc-g++ make cmake doxygen graphviz texlive-scheme-medium \
      texlive-hanging texlive-stackengine texlive-tocloft texlive-etoc \
      texlive-tabu
    

An example command-line to build the ROCdbgapi library on Linux is:

cd rocdbgapi
mkdir build
cd build
cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=../install ..
make

You may substitute a path of your own choosing for CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX.

The built ROCdbgapi library will be placed in:

  • build/include/amd-dbgapi.h

  • build/librocm-dbgapi.so*

An example command-line to generate the HTML and PDF library documentation is:

make doc

The generated ROCdbgapi library documentation is put in:

  • doc/html/index.html

  • doc/latex/refman.pdf

To install the ROCdbgapi library and documentation:

make install

The installed ROCdbgapi library and documentation will be placed in:

  • ../install/include/amd-dbgapi.h

  • ../install/lib/librocm-dbgapi.so*

  • ../install/share/amd-dbgapi/LICENSE.txt

  • ../install/share/amd-dbgapi/README.md

  • ../install/share/html/amd-dbgapi/index.html

  • ../install/share/doc/amd-dbgapi/amd-dbgapi.pdf

To use the ROCdbgapi library, the ROCcomgr library must be installed. This can be installed as part of the AMD ROCm release by the comgr package:

  • libamd_comgr.so.1

The ROCdbgapi library requires that the ROCr library is loaded in the inferior to enable AMD GPU debugging. This can be installed as part of the AMD ROCm release by the hsa-rocr-dev package:

  • libhsa-runtime64.so.1

Known Limitations and Restrictions#

You can refer to the following sections in the AMD Debugger API Specification documentation for:

  • Supported AMD GPU Architectures provides the list of supported AMD GPU architectures.

  • Known Limitations and Restrictions provides information about known limitations and restrictions.

The ROCdbgapi library is compatible with the following interface versions:

  • AMD GPU Driver Version

    • See KFD_IOCTL_MAJOR_VERSION and KFD_IOCTL_MINOR_VERSION in src/linux/kfd_ioctl.h which conform to semver.

  • AMD GPU Driver Debug ioctl Version

    • See KFD_IOCTL_DBG_MAJOR_VERSION and KFD_IOCTL_DBG_MINOR_VERSION in src/linux/kfd_ioctl.h which conform to semver.

  • ROCm Runtime r_debug ABI Version

    • See ROCR_RDEBUG_VERSION in src/rocr_rdebug.h.

  • Architectures and Firmware Versions

    • See s_gfxip_lookup_table in src/os_driver.cpp.

Disclaimer#

The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, it may contain technical inaccuracies, omissions and typographical errors, and AMD is under no obligation to update or otherwise correct this information. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this document, and assumes no liability of any kind, including the implied warranties of noninfringement, merchantability or fitness for particular purposes, with respect to the operation or use of AMD hardware, software or other products described herein. No license, including implied or arising by estoppel, to any intellectual property rights is granted by this document. Terms and limitations applicable to the purchase or use of AMD’s products are as set forth in a signed agreement between the parties or in AMD’s Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale.

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