Vxworks Command Cheat Sheet
The Ultimate VxWorks Command Cheat Sheet: A Developer’s Guide to the Real-Time Shell
11. Best practices and safety notes
- Use descriptive task names and consistent priority schemes.
- Monitor stack usage and set stacks conservatively large for interrupt-heavy tasks.
- Flush caches before DMA and be mindful of cache-coherency APIs.
- Keep a development image with symbol information separate from production images.
- Script repetitive shell commands in startup scripts or initialization routines to avoid manual errors.
🧵 Semaphores, Queues & Events
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| semShow | List all semaphores |
| semGive <semId> | Give a binary/counting semaphore |
| semTake <semId> [,<timeout>] | Take a semaphore |
| msgQShow | Show message queues |
| msgQSend <qId>, <msg>, <size>, <timeout>, <prio> | Send to message queue |
| msgQReceive <qId>, <buffer>, <size>, <timeout> | Receive from queue |
| eventReceive <events> [,<timeout>] | Wait for events |
VxWorks Command Cheat Sheet
4. I/O, devices, and drivers
Interacting with devices, block storage, and network interfaces is common.
-
iosDevShow — List registered I/O devices.
- Usage: iosDevShow()
-
iosOpen / iosClose / iosRead / iosWrite — Low-level device I/O functions available in the API and often used via driver utilities.
-
gei, e1000, uboot environment commands, or BSP-specific network commands — Device utilities vary by BSP and driver set.
-
ld — The loader command to load modules (object modules, shared objects) into target memory.
- Usage: ld < module.o; ld < module.o > to load symbol tables; ld() variations exist.
-
objShow / symShow — Inspect loaded objects and symbol tables.
- Usage: objShow(); symShow("symbolName")
-
mkfs / fsShow / ioLib — Filesystem utilities depend on configured file systems (TFS, dosFs, NFS clients).
- Example: fsShow(), dosFsVolFormat("0:/", 512, 64, 256)
Best practice: consult BSP docs for device naming conventions; use symbol and object inspections to debug module load failures.
13. Command Differences by VxWorks Version
| Version | Shell command style |
|---------|----------------------|
| VxWorks 5.x | C‑interpreter shell, -> prompt, no spaces in sp args carefully |
| VxWorks 6.x | Added host‑shell, some commands need cmd prefix |
| VxWorks 7.x | More POSIX‑like, vx shell, task commands still work |
Always check
helpon your target – optional components change available commands.
VxWorks is a real-time operating system (RTOS) used in everything from Mars rovers to industrial controllers. Navigating the VxWorks shell (C-Shell or Kernel Shell) is essential for debugging and system management.
Below is a comprehensive cheat sheet for the most essential VxWorks commands. 🛠️ Task and Process Management Manage and monitor tasks running on the kernel.
i: Displays a list of all tasks (Status, Priority, PC, etc.).
ti : Shows detailed information about a specific task.
taskSpawn ": Spawns a new task. taskSuspend : Pauses a running task. taskResume : Resumes a suspended task. taskDelete : Terminated a task and frees memory.
checkStack : Displays stack usage for a task (0 for all tasks). 🔍 Memory and System Debugging Inspect memory, modify values, and check system health.
d
, , : Display memory content (hex dump). m , : Modify memory interactively. memShow: Displays the system memory map and free space.
adrSpaceShow: Shows memory context and address space details.
printErrno : Decodes a numeric error code into a readable string. tt : Function call stack trace (Backtrace). 📂 File System and I/O Commands for navigating directories and managing files. ls ": Lists files in a directory. cd ": Changes the current working directory. pwd: Prints the current working directory. copy ": Copies a file. rm ": Deletes a file. devs: Lists all mapped devices (e.g., /ata0, /tyCo/0). iosShow: Displays the I/O system status and drivers. 🌐 Network Configuration Configure and troubleshoot network interfaces.
ifShow: Lists all network interfaces and their IP addresses.
inetstatShow: Displays active network connections (similar to netstat). routeShow: Displays the IP routing table.
ping ": Tests connectivity to a remote host.
arpShow: Displays the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) table. ⚙️ Symbol Table and Objects Locate functions and variables within the loaded image.
lkup ": Searches the symbol table for names matching the string. ld < : Loads an object module into memory. unld ": Unloads a previously loaded module. reboot: Restarts the system (use with caution). 💡 Quick Tips for the VxWorks Shell
Command History: Use the arrow keys or h to see recent commands. vxworks command cheat sheet
Tab Completion: Available in newer versions (VxWorks 7) for symbols and files.
Redirecting Output: Use > filename to save command output to a file.
Hex vs Dec: Most shell inputs are interpreted as Hex by default; use 0x to be safe.
VxWorks Command Cheat Sheet: A Comprehensive Guide
VxWorks is a popular real-time operating system (RTOS) used in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and industrial automation. As a developer working with VxWorks, it's essential to have a solid understanding of the various commands and tools available to you. In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive VxWorks command cheat sheet, covering the most commonly used commands, tools, and techniques.
Introduction to VxWorks
Before we dive into the command cheat sheet, let's take a brief look at VxWorks. VxWorks is a real-time operating system designed for embedded systems, offering a high degree of reliability, performance, and flexibility. It's widely used in applications that require predictability, low latency, and high availability.
VxWorks Command-Line Interface
The VxWorks command-line interface (CLI) provides a powerful way to interact with the operating system, execute commands, and debug applications. The CLI is typically accessed through a console or terminal connection.
Basic VxWorks Commands
Here are some basic VxWorks commands to get you started:
help: Displays a list of available commands and their syntax.version: Displays the VxWorks version number and build date.uptime: Displays the system uptime in seconds.date: Displays the current date and time.time: Displays the current time in seconds since the system started.
Process Management Commands
Process management is a critical aspect of VxWorks. Here are some essential commands for managing processes:
task: Displays a list of running tasks, including their IDs, names, and priorities.task create: Creates a new task with the specified attributes (e.g., name, priority, stack size).task delete: Deletes a task by its ID or name.task suspend: Suspends a task by its ID or name.task resume: Resumes a suspended task by its ID or name.
Memory Management Commands
Memory management is crucial in VxWorks. Here are some essential commands for managing memory:
mem: Displays memory usage statistics, including free and used memory.malloc: Allocates memory from the heap.free: Releases memory back to the heap.memstat: Displays detailed memory statistics.
File System Commands
VxWorks provides a robust file system for storing and retrieving files. Here are some essential file system commands:
fs: Displays a list of available file systems.cd: Changes the current directory.pwd: Displays the current working directory.ls: Lists files and directories in the current directory.mkdir: Creates a new directory.rm: Deletes a file or directory.
Networking Commands
VxWorks provides a range of networking commands for configuring and managing network interfaces:
ifconfig: Displays network interface configuration and statistics.ping: Sends ICMP echo requests to a specified host.netstat: Displays network socket statistics.
Debugging Commands
Debugging is an essential part of VxWorks development. Here are some essential debugging commands:
break: Sets a breakpoint at a specified address or function.continue: Continues execution from a breakpoint.step: Executes a single instruction or function call.backtrace: Displays a stack trace of the current call chain.
VxWorks Shell Commands
The VxWorks shell provides a range of commands for executing scripts, managing environment variables, and more:
script: Executes a script file.set: Sets an environment variable.unset: Unsets an environment variable.export: Exports an environment variable.
Advanced VxWorks Commands
Here are some advanced VxWorks commands for power users:
watchdog: Configures and manages the system watchdog timer.int: Displays interrupt statistics and configuration.cache: Displays cache statistics and configuration.
Conclusion
In this comprehensive VxWorks command cheat sheet, we've covered the most commonly used commands, tools, and techniques for working with VxWorks. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, this guide should provide a valuable reference for your VxWorks development needs.
Additional Resources
For more information on VxWorks and its commands, we recommend the following resources:
- Wind River VxWorks documentation: https://www.windriver.com/documentation/
- VxWorks user manual: https://www.windriver.com/manuals/vxworks/user_manual.pdf
- VxWorks command-line interface reference: https://www.windriver.com/manuals/vxworks/cli_reference.pdf
FAQs
Q: What is the default VxWorks shell? A: The default VxWorks shell is the VxWorks command-line interface (CLI).
Q: How do I create a new task in VxWorks?
A: Use the task create command to create a new task.
Q: How do I display memory usage statistics in VxWorks?
A: Use the mem command to display memory usage statistics.
Q: How do I configure a network interface in VxWorks?
A: Use the ifconfig command to configure a network interface.
By mastering these VxWorks commands, you'll become more efficient and effective in your development work, and be better equipped to tackle complex projects and debugging tasks. Happy developing!
This cheat sheet covers essential commands for managing tasks, memory, and system information within the VxWorks shell environment (WindSh). Task Management i: Displays a summary of all active tasks in the system.
ti "taskName" or taskID: Shows detailed Information for a specific task, including its TCB (Task Control Block).
sp function, arg1, ...: Spawns a new task starting at the specified function with provided arguments. td "taskName" or taskID: Deletes a specific task. ts "taskName" or taskID: Suspends a task. tr "taskName" or taskID: Resumes a suspended task.
tt "taskName" or taskID: Shows a stack trace for the specified task. Memory & Object Information
d address, [nWords]: Displays memory contents starting at a specific address.
m address: Modifies memory at the given address interactively.
memShow: Displays general memory partition statistics, such as free and allocated space.
moduleShow: Lists all currently loaded object modules and programs.
show semaphoreID: Displays information about a specific semaphore. System & File Operations
devs: Lists all devices currently known to the target system.
ls ["directory"]: Lists the contents of the current or specified directory. pwd: Prints the current working directory path. cd "path": Changes the current directory. reboot: Reboots the processor.
lkup "name": Searches for and lists symbols matching the string in the system symbol table.
h [n]: Displays the command history; default size is typically 20.
printErrno status: Describes the meaning of the most recent error status value. Network & Boot
ifShow: Displays the status and configuration of network interfaces. bootParamsShow: Displays the current boot line parameters.
bootChange: Allows interactive modification of the saved boot parameters.
ping "host", [count]: Sends ICMP echo requests to a network host. Shell Syntax Tips The Ultimate VxWorks Command Cheat Sheet: A Developer’s
Quotes: Most commands require string arguments (like task names or file paths) to be enclosed in double quotes (e.g., ti "tRoot").
Arguments: Multiple arguments for functions or commands are separated by commas.
Essential VxWorks Shell Command Cheat Sheet Navigating the VxWorks RTOS environment requires familiarity with its command-line interfaces. Whether you are using the Kernel Shell (resident on the target) or the Host Shell
(running on your development station), these commands are essential for debugging, task management, and system interrogation. 1. Task Management & Information Manage the lifecycle and execution of real-time tasks. : Displays a synopsis of all running tasks in the system. sp (entryPt, args) : Spawns a task with default parameters. sps (entryPt, args) : Spawns a task and leaves it in a suspended state. td (taskId) : Deletes a specific task. ts (taskId) : Suspends a task. tr (taskId) : Resumes a suspended task. ti (taskId)
: Shows detailed information from the Task Control Block (TCB). tt (taskId) : Displays a stack trace for the specified task. checkStack (taskId) : Prints a summary of a task's stack usage. 2. System Interrogation & Diagnostics
Gather data about the hardware environment and system status. : Lists all devices currently known on the target. lkup "string"
: Searches the system symbol table for symbols matching the string. : Displays a summary of system memory usage and statistics. moduleShow : Lists all downloaded or loaded object modules. printErrno(n) : Describes the specified error status value (use for the latest error). iosDevShow : Shows all loaded I/O devices. 3. Memory & Register Modification Interact directly with memory addresses and CPU registers. d (address, n)
: Displays memory contents starting at a specific hex address. m (address)
: Allows manual modification of memory at the specified address. : Allows modification of CPU registers. : Returns the current contents of the program counter. 4. File System & Navigation
Standard utilities for navigating the target's local or remote file systems. : Displays the current default directory. : Changes the default directory. : Lists files in the current directory. mkdir "name" : Creates a new directory. : Deletes a specified file. 5. Shell Control & Utilities : Displays command history or sets the history buffer size. : Prints a synopsis of available shell routines.
: Resets network devices and transfers control back to the boot ROMs. : Loads an object module into memory from a file. unld "module" : Unloads a previously loaded object module. usrLib - the triumf daq wiki
This cheat sheet covers the most essential commands for the VxWorks C-Shell (the default shell for older versions like 5.x and 6.x). ⚠️ Shell Basics : Must be separated by : Must be enclosed in double quotes Hex Values : Prefixed with 🏃 Task Management Description Display a summary of all active tasks Spawn (start) a new task sp myFunc, arg1, arg2 Spawn a task in a sps myFunc a task by ID or name td 0x12345 a running task ts "tMyTask" a suspended task tr 0x12345 Task Information (detailed status) ti "tMyTask" Task Trace (shows the stack trace) tt 0x12345 🔍 System & Debugging Description Search the system symbol table lkup "myGlobal" checkStack Show stack usage for a specific task checkStack "tShell" printErrno Decode the last error number into English printErrno 0x11 List all recognized hardware devices Display VxWorks version and build info Display command history 💾 Memory Operations Description memory (hex dump) d 0x800000, 128 memory (interactive prompt) m 0x800000 Fill a block of memory with a value fill 0x8000, 100, 0 adrSpaceShow Show memory map / address space adrSpaceShow 📂 File System & Navigation Description List files in current directory Long list (shows sizes/dates) Change directory cd "/ata0/" Print working directory Copy a file copy "old.txt", "new.txt" ⚙️ Kernel & Booting Description Restart the system bootChange Edit boot parameters (IP, file paths) bootChange Load a module into memory < myModule.o Unload a module unld "myModule.o" 💡 Pro Tips : Most commands accept either the (in quotes) or the . Using the ID is often faster. Control Keys to force a reboot if the shell is unresponsive. Redirection
: You can redirect output to a file using standard notation: i > "tasks.txt" If you'd like, I can add sections for Network Troubleshooting ) or specific command-line tools. Which version are you working with?
VxWorks Command Cheat Sheet
VxWorks is a real-time operating system (RTOS) widely used in embedded systems, particularly in the aerospace, automotive, and industrial automation industries. Mastering VxWorks commands is essential for developers, engineers, and system administrators working with this OS. Here is a comprehensive cheat sheet of common VxWorks commands:
System Information Commands
version: Displays the VxWorks version, build date, and system architecture.system: Displays system information, including memory usage, CPU utilization, and system uptime.reboot: Reboots the system.
Process Management Commands
ps: Lists all running processes, including process ID (PID), name, and priority.kill <pid>: Terminates a process with the specified PID.taskSpawn <name> <priority> <options> <func> <arg1> <arg2> ...: Creates a new task (process).taskDelete <pid>: Deletes a task.
Memory Management Commands
memShow: Displays memory usage statistics, including free and used memory.memStats: Displays detailed memory statistics.malloc <size>: Allocates memory of the specified size.
File System Commands
ls: Lists files and directories in the current directory.cd <directory>: Changes the current directory.mkdir <directory>: Creates a new directory.rm <file>: Deletes a file.cp <source> <destination>: Copies a file.
Network Commands
ifShow: Displays network interface information, including IP address and netmask.routeShow: Displays routing table information.ping <host>: Tests network connectivity to a specified host.
Debugging Commands
printf: Prints formatted output to the console.logShow: Displays logged messages.syms: Displays symbol table information.
Security Commands
passwd: Changes the system password.useradd <username>: Creates a new user account.userdel <username>: Deletes a user account.
Miscellaneous Commands
help: Displays a list of available commands.man <command>: Displays detailed information about a specific command.history: Displays a list of previously executed commands.
This cheat sheet covers commonly used VxWorks commands, but it's not exhaustive. VxWorks provides a wide range of commands and options, and you may need to consult the official documentation or seek guidance from experienced developers for more specific tasks.
Additional Tips
- VxWorks commands are case-sensitive.
- Many VxWorks commands have abbreviations or aliases (e.g.,
psforprocessShow). - Some commands require superuser privileges.
By mastering these VxWorks commands, you'll be better equipped to develop, debug, and maintain embedded systems efficiently. Happy coding! Use descriptive task names and consistent priority schemes
The VxWorks C-Shell (or Kernel Shell) is a powerful tool for real-time debugging and system management. Unlike standard Linux shells, it often interprets commands as direct C function calls, meaning strings must be quoted and arguments are separated by commas. 🛠️ Core System & Navigation
These commands help you navigate the environment and check the overall status of the target. Description i Display synopsis of all tasks (Status, Priority, PC, etc.). h History: Shows recent commands (default size is 20). devs List all devices known on the target. ls List directory contents. pwd Show the present working directory. cd "path" Change directory (path must be in quotes). reboot Reboot the processor. printErrno(0) Describe the most recent error status. VxWorks Command Cheat Sheet | PDF | Booting - Scribd
System Information
version: Displays the VxWorks version number.system: Displays system information, including the processor type and memory size.uptime: Displays the system uptime.