Remote debugging using gdbserver

The key component for remote debugging is the debug agent, gdbserver, which runs on the target and controls execution of the program being debugged. Gdbserver connects to a copy of GDB running on the host machine via a network connection or an RS-232 serial interface.

Debugging through gdbserver is almost, but not quite, the same as debugging natively. The differences are mostly centered around the fact that there are two computers involved and they have to be in the right state for debugging to take place. Here are some things to look out for:

• At the start of a debug session you need to load the program you want to debug on the target using gdbserver and then separately load GDB from your cross toolchain on the host.
• GDB and gdbserver need to connect to each other before a debug session can begin.
• GDB, running onto the host, needs to be told where to look for debug symbols and source code, especially for shared libraries.
• The GDB run command does not work as...