How to use the command wdctl (with examples)

This article provides a detailed explanation of various use cases for the wdctl command, which is used to display the hardware watchdog status on a system.

Description

The wdctl command is a simple utility that displays the status of the hardware watchdog on a system. It provides information about whether the watchdog is active or inactive, the timeout value, and any error conditions. This command can be useful for monitoring the status of the hardware watchdog and troubleshooting any issues related to it.

Use case 1: Display the watchdog status

Code:

wdctl

Motivation: This use case is useful when you need to quickly check the status of the hardware watchdog on a system. It can help verify if the watchdog is active or inactive and provide an overview of its current state.

Explanation: Running the wdctl command without any arguments will display the current status of the hardware watchdog. It will show whether the watchdog is active, the timeout value, and any error conditions, if present.

Example output:

Watchdog Status:
  Active: Yes
  Timeout: 60 seconds
  Error: No

Use case 2: Display the watchdog status in a single line in key-value pairs

Code:

wdctl --oneline

Motivation: This use case is useful when you need a concise and compact representation of the hardware watchdog status. It can be helpful in situations where you want to quickly parse the output or integrate it into scripts or automation workflows.

Explanation: The --oneline option can be used with the wdctl command to display the watchdog status in a single line using key-value pairs. This format provides a more compact representation of the status information.

Example output:

Active: Yes, Timeout: 60 seconds, Error: No

Use case 3: Display only specific watchdog flags

Code:

wdctl --flags flag_list

Motivation: This use case is useful when you only need to display specific watchdog flags instead of the complete status. It allows you to focus on specific aspects of the watchdog status that are relevant to your specific requirements.

Explanation: The --flags option can be used with the wdctl command to specify a list of specific watchdog flags that you want to display. The available flags may vary depending on the watchdog driver being used.

Example output:

Active: Yes, Error: No

Conclusion

The wdctl command provides a convenient way to display the hardware watchdog status on a system. It offers various options to control the output format and display specific information. By leveraging these use cases, you can effectively monitor and troubleshoot any issues related to the hardware watchdog.