Document + Validate Kernel Config Options

[mrueg]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

Currently it is not clear which kernel options need to be activated. Describe the solution you'd like

• A document that includes a list of kernel config options that need to be set (e.g. uprobe and BTF support)

• A script or even an integration into parca-agent that validates the config options similar to cilium kernel-check This could also be helpful to reduce bug reports and enables users to fix issues around kernel support themselves.

Describe alternatives you've considered

Additional context

https://github.com/cilium/cilium/commit/8f700ac13f900359c3327e53de182599a1324e56

[brancz]

Parca Agent itself should exit if it’s not a supported kernel (added in the latest version).

[mrueg]

Does it provide more information on what's possibly missing? With my self-compiled kernel I had to play a bit of whack-a-mole to activate the right options.

What cilium does, is calling bpftool -j feature probe and then parsing its output to verify the right config parameters are set and available, so that could be helpful for parca as well.

[brancz]

Aha, I see what you mean, I think that's a great idea!