Error sensitivity of the Linux kernel executing on PowerPC G4 and Pentium 4 processors

Abstract

The goals of this study are: (i) to compare Linux kernel (2.4.22) behavior under a broad range of errors on two target processors - the Intel Pentium 4 (P4) running RedHat Linux 9.0 and the Motorola PowerPC (G4) running YellowDog Linux 3.0 - and (ii) to understand how architectural characteristics of the target processors impact the error sensitivity of the operating system. Extensive error injection experiments involving over 115,000 faults/errors are conducted targeting the kernel code, data, stack, and CPU system registers. Analysis of the obtained data indicates significant differences between the two platforms in how errors manifest and how they are detected in the hardware and the operating system. In addition to quantifying the observed differences and similarities, the paper provides several examples to support the insights gained from this research.