archarchbootvmlinux

archarchbootvmlinux is a term that appears in discussions about Arch Linux boot workflows and kernel debugging. It describes a combined approach to boot Arch Linux by pairing a traditional boot image (vmlinuz) with a corresponding vmlinux symbol file, enabling in-depth kernel analysis within virtualized environments or during boot-time testing. The term itself is a portmanteau of arch (Arch Linux), arch boot (the Arch boot process), and vmlinux (the uncompressed kernel image with debugging symbols).

Conceptually, archarchbootvmlinux refers to a workflow or collection of scripts that arrange for an Arch Linux boot to be performed with a symbol-rich kernel, typically in QEMU/KVM or a bare-metal test harness. In practice, this may involve building a custom kernel with debug information, packaging the vmlinuz-kernel alongside a vmlinux file, and configuring the bootloader (GRUB, syslinux, or iPXE) to provide both images to the boot environment. The objective is to enable post-boot debugging, crash dump analysis, or dynamic symbol resolution during kernel development.

Use cases include kernel development in Arch Linux, educational labs that demonstrate debugging workflows, and automated testing where developers need to map addresses to symbols during a boot session. The approach is primarily experimental and not part of the official Arch Linux release process; there is no standardized packaging in the Arch repository for archarchbootvmlinux at present.

Limitations may include increased image size due to debugging symbols, potential performance overhead, and the need for compatible tooling to consume vmlinux information. Users interested in archarchbootvmlinux typically rely on custom build scripts and community documentation to assemble a bootable environment that exposes kernel symbols for live debugging.