Kernel Profile Optimization Tool

A containerized tool for automatically generating AutoFDO and Propeller optimization profiles for Linux kernels. Utilizes Phoronix test suites and perf to collect performance data for kernel tuning.

Features

• Auto-generate AutoFDO optimization profiles
• Auto-generate Propeller optimization profiles
• Containerized execution ensures environment consistency
• Persistent output storage
• MIT Licensed

Prerequisites

• Podman
• Linux kernel debug symbols (vmlinux)
• Recommended 16GB+ RAM

Workload

Base on phoronix-test-suite (Maybe you have better idea, please tell we)

CPU suite:

• pts/rodinia
• pts/namd
• pts/stockfish
• pts/x264
• pts/x265
• pts/kvazaar
• pts/compress-7zip
• pts/blender
• pts/asmfish
• pts/build-linux-kernel
• pts/build-gcc
• pts/radiance
• pts/openssl
• pts/ctx-clock
• pts/sysbench
• pts/povray

Quick Start

Build Container Image

podman build -t autofdo .

Generate AutoFDO Profile

podman run --rm \
  -v $PWD/output:/output \
  -v /usr/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/build/vmlinux:/vmlinux \
  -it --privileged \
  autofdo /vmlinux amd autofdo

Generate Propeller Profile

podman run --rm \
  -v $PWD/output:/output \
  -v /usr/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/build/vmlinux:/vmlinux \
  -it --privileged \
  autofdo /vmlinux amd propeller

Quick Steps

1. Build an init kernel
2. Reboot to the kernel
3. Generate AutoFDO Profile
4. Build an kernel with AutoFDO Profile
5. Reboot to the new kernel
6. Generate Propeller Profile
7. Build an kernel with AutoFDO Profile and Propeller Profile
8. Reboot and enjoy!

Performance Results

Below are the performance comparison results before and after applying the kernel optimization profiles:

1. No kernel optimization profiles: https://openbenchmarking.org/result/2502094-NE-CPU25415319
2. AutoFDO and Propeller: https://openbenchmarking.org/result/2502105-NE-CPU23727229

Output Files

Profiles will be saved to ./output directory:

• AutoFDO: kernel.afdo
• Propeller: propeller/propeller_cc_profile.txt, propeller/propeller_ld_profile.txt

Parameters

Parameter	Description
/vmlinux	Mount path for kernel debug symbols
amd	Target architecture (supports amd/intel)
autofdo/propeller	Optimization type selector

Notes

1. --privileged flag required for performance profiling
2. Ensure mounted vmlinux matches current kernel version
3. High CPU/memory load expected - recommend dedicated hardware
4. Output directory requires write permissions

Contribution

We welcome community improvements! Please:

• Open issues to discuss test suite enhancements
• Submit PRs for better benchmark coverage validation
• Suggest additional profiling optimizations