How System Requests Work and How to Add Your Own SysReq

https://snee.la/posts/sysrq/

I needed to add a custom System Request (Sys Req or SysRq) to a linux kernel some time ago. While doing so, I dug deep into how it works and I thought I’d make a quick post about it. Here is a good SuperUser answer about what a SysRq is. You may also know about SysRq via REISUB. This post has three parts: how to raise a SysRq, how SysRq works (looking into kernel code), and how to add your own SysRq.

Disclaimer: This is my website.

86 points · 3 comments · view on lemmy.world

3 Comments

Sims@lemmy.ml · 8 pts · 2y (2 replies)

Amazing. I've been 'staring' at the sys rq key for 20 years with Linux and many years before with Win/Dos, and never really knew how it worked, for what, or if it was still used for anything - even then.

Apparently (from light search) sysreq was mostly used in the old days to halt current job and enter a systems menu.

Anyway, thanks for fixing a long-standing knowledge gap :-)

ABasilPlant@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y

I'm glad you appreciate it! It's always fun digging into kernel internals and learning new things :D

I'm also open to criticism about the writing if you have any.

WarmApplePieShrek@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 2y

No one knows what SysRq was meant for.