Vxworks Command Cheat Sheet |link| May 2026

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.

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.

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 VxWorks Command Cheat Sheet VxWorks is a real-time

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

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.

This review evaluates common VxWorks Command Cheat Sheets—such as the widely used guides found on Scribd—based on their utility for real-time operating system (RTOS) debugging and development. Overview

A solid VxWorks cheat sheet is an essential "survival guide" for developers working within the C-shell or Windsh. It bridges the gap between complex official documentation and the immediate need for command syntax during a live session. Key Strengths

Logical Categorization: The best guides, like the VxWorks Cheat Sheet, group commands into functional silos:

Task Management: Crucial commands like sp (spawn), td (terminate), and i (info) are front and center.

Memory/System: Essential tools for low-level debugging, such as d (display memory) and m (modify memory).

Networking: Quick access to ifShow and routeShow for troubleshooting connectivity.

Syntactic Clarity: Good reviews note that these sheets provide the exact argument order (e.g., sp entryPt, arg1, arg2...), which is often the hardest thing to remember under pressure.

Portability: Most are condensed into 1–2 pages, making them perfect for a second monitor or a taped-up reference next to a target board. Areas for Improvement

Version Specifics: Many popular cheat sheets focus on older versions (like VxWorks 5.x or 6.x). A modern review should note if the sheet includes newer Real-Time Process (RTP) commands or the updated 7.x syntax.

Error Handling: Most sheets list the command but rarely include common errno values. Adding a small table for printErrno outputs would significantly increase the guide's value. Final Verdict

Rating: 4.5/5For any embedded engineer, a VxWorks cheat sheet is a mandatory tool. While it doesn't replace the deep-dive manuals, its ability to speed up routine task monitoring and memory inspection is unmatched. If you are using an AI-generated version, ensure it follows a structured guide to remain concise and readable.

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. login : Log in to the system (default

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:

1. help: Displays a list of available commands and their syntax.
2. version: Displays the VxWorks version number and build date.
3. uptime: Displays the system uptime in seconds.
4. date: Displays the current date and time.
5. 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:

1. task: Displays a list of running tasks, including their IDs, names, and priorities.
2. task create: Creates a new task with the specified attributes (e.g., name, priority, stack size).
3. task delete: Deletes a task by its ID or name.
4. task suspend: Suspends a task by its ID or name.
5. 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:

1. mem: Displays memory usage statistics, including free and used memory.
2. malloc: Allocates memory from the heap.
3. free: Releases memory back to the heap.
4. 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:

1. fs: Displays a list of available file systems.
2. cd: Changes the current directory.
3. pwd: Displays the current working directory.
4. ls: Lists files and directories in the current directory.
5. mkdir: Creates a new directory.
6. rm: Deletes a file or directory.

Networking Commands

VxWorks provides a range of networking commands for configuring and managing network interfaces:

1. ifconfig: Displays network interface configuration and statistics.
2. ping: Sends ICMP echo requests to a specified host.
3. netstat: Displays network socket statistics.

Debugging Commands

Debugging is an essential part of VxWorks development. Here are some essential debugging commands:

1. break: Sets a breakpoint at a specified address or function.
2. continue: Continues execution from a breakpoint.
3. step: Executes a single instruction or function call.
4. 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:

1. script: Executes a script file.
2. set: Sets an environment variable.
3. unset: Unsets an environment variable.
4. export: Exports an environment variable.

Advanced VxWorks Commands

Here are some advanced VxWorks commands for power users:

1. watchdog: Configures and manages the system watchdog timer.
2. int: Displays interrupt statistics and configuration.
3. 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!

🧠 Task Management

| Command | Description | |---------|-------------| | i | Show all tasks (ID, name, state, priority, stack used) | | ti <taskId> | Show detailed info about a specific task | | taskSpawn <name>, <prio>, <options>, <stackSize>, <entryFunc> | Create and start a new task | | taskDelete <taskId> | Delete a task | | taskSuspend <taskId> | Suspend a task | | taskResume <taskId> | Resume a suspended task | | taskPrioritySet <taskId>, <newPrio> | Change task priority | | taskLock / taskUnlock | Disable/enable preemption for current task | | taskRestart <taskId> | Restart a task |

12. Example Debug Session

-> i                # list tasks, find suspicious task ID
-> ti 0x8032a4c0    # inspect task 0x8032a4c0
-> checkStack 0x8032a4c0
-> semShow          # see if it's waiting on a semaphore
-> d 0x80401000, 4, 64   # examine memory region
-> lkup "myFunc"    # check if myFunc is loaded
-> reboot

6. Message Queues

| Command | Description | |---------|-------------| | msgQShow | Show message queues | | msgQSend <qId> <msg> <size> <timeout> | Send a message | | msgQReceive <qId> <buffer> <maxSize> <timeout> | Receive a message |