QPoints

QPoints generates gem5-compatible checkpoints from QEMU/QFlex snapshots for ARM full-system simulation. The repository includes helpers for creating checkpoints, converting snapshot disk images, and running the resulting checkpoints in gem5.

Detailed project notes are also available in the supplemental Notion README. Keep the local README as the version-controlled quickstart.

Requirements

• QEMU/QFlex snapshot inputs
• Python 3
• gdb-multiarch
• qemu-img
• sshpass
• gem5 and the ARM gem5 system files under bin/m5

The setup script installs common package dependencies when apt-get is available, initializes the gem5 submodule, builds gem5, and downloads the ARM gem5 system files:

bash setup.sh

Generate a Checkpoint

Use run_all.sh to start QEMU from a QFlex snapshot, wait for SSH, collect the gem5 checkpoint, convert the selected qcow2 snapshot to a raw image, and place the generated files in the gem5 checkpoint directory.

./run_all.sh --qflex-ckp-dir qflex_checkpoints --gem5-ckp-dir gem5_checkpoints \
  --core-count 4 --memory-gb 16 --base web_search.qcow2 --snapshot snapshot_0

Optional environment variables:

• QPOINTS_SSH_PASSWORD: SSH password used while waiting for the guest
• QPOINTS_SSH_MAX_ATTEMPTS: maximum SSH readiness attempts
• QEMU_EFI_FD: explicit UEFI firmware path for QEMU

Run a Checkpoint in gem5

The default mode preserves the existing classic gem5 flow. Add --timing-ruby to use the O3CPU + Ruby MESI_Two_Level configuration.

./run_gem5.sh --gem5-ckp-dir gem5_checkpoints --experiment test \
  --snapshot snapshot_0 --inst 100000 --cores 1

./run_gem5.sh --gem5-ckp-dir gem5_checkpoints --experiment test \
  --snapshot snapshot_0 --inst 100000 --cores 1 --timing-ruby