/dev/cat is a small kernel module which simulates a cat via a probalistic automata.
It eats, sleeps, snoozes, plays and runs around. Its actions are reflected in the kernel log.
Sometimes, while running around, it accidently knocks over processes, cats be cats you know.
devcat: *eats*
devcat: *zzz*
devcat: *zzz*
devcat: *zzz*
devcat: *zzz*
devcat: *purrrrr*
devcat: *zzz*
devcat: *purrrrr*
devcat: *runs to the other side of the address space*
devcat: toppled over nginx [753]
devcat: *runs to this side of the address space*
devcat: *purrrrr*
devcat: *zzz*
You can interact with the cat, but it mostly ignores you.
echo "feed" > /dev/cat
echo "pet" > /dev/cat
echo "call" > /dev/cat
The module needs the kernel headers at the default location. By default it doesn't SIGSTOPs random processes this can by enabled by defining the LIVING_DANGEROUSLY macro.
make LIVING_DANGEROUSLY=1
Processes that have been knocked over by the cat can be revived by sending them a SIGCONT:
kill -SIGCONT $pid
The cat doesn't touch pids lower than 500. It may topple over your vases, but not your whole house.
Unless your day is going slow you shouldn't deploy this on your production servers.