diff --git a/tools/perf/Documentation/perf-report.txt b/tools/perf/Documentation/perf-report.txt
index 4e82c19..4ed1707 100644
--- a/tools/perf/Documentation/perf-report.txt
+++ b/tools/perf/Documentation/perf-report.txt
@@ -139,6 +139,12 @@
 
 --show-total-period:: Show a column with the sum of periods.
 
+-I::
+--show-info::
+	Display extended information about the perf.data file. This adds
+	information which may be very large and thus may clutter the display.
+	It currently includes: cpu and numa topology of the host system.
+
 SEE ALSO
 --------
 linkperf:perf-stat[1]
diff --git a/tools/perf/Documentation/perf-script.txt b/tools/perf/Documentation/perf-script.txt
index db01786..dec87ec 100644
--- a/tools/perf/Documentation/perf-script.txt
+++ b/tools/perf/Documentation/perf-script.txt
@@ -188,6 +188,13 @@
 	CPUs are specified with -: 0-2. Default is to report samples on all
 	CPUs.
 
+-I::
+--show-info::
+	Display extended information about the perf.data file. This adds
+	information which may be very large and thus may clutter the display.
+	It currently includes: cpu and numa topology of the host system.
+	It can only be used with the perf script report mode.
+
 SEE ALSO
 --------
 linkperf:perf-record[1], linkperf:perf-script-perl[1],
diff --git a/tools/perf/arch/powerpc/Makefile b/tools/perf/arch/powerpc/Makefile
index 15130b5..744e629 100644
--- a/tools/perf/arch/powerpc/Makefile
+++ b/tools/perf/arch/powerpc/Makefile
@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@
 PERF_HAVE_DWARF_REGS := 1
 LIB_OBJS += $(OUTPUT)arch/$(ARCH)/util/dwarf-regs.o
 endif
+LIB_OBJS += $(OUTPUT)arch/$(ARCH)/util/header.o
diff --git a/tools/perf/arch/powerpc/util/header.c b/tools/perf/arch/powerpc/util/header.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eba80c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/perf/arch/powerpc/util/header.c
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include "../../util/header.h"
+
+#define __stringify_1(x)        #x
+#define __stringify(x)          __stringify_1(x)
+
+#define mfspr(rn)       ({unsigned long rval; \
+			 asm volatile("mfspr %0," __stringify(rn) \
+				      : "=r" (rval)); rval; })
+
+#define SPRN_PVR        0x11F	/* Processor Version Register */
+#define PVR_VER(pvr)    (((pvr) >>  16) & 0xFFFF) /* Version field */
+#define PVR_REV(pvr)    (((pvr) >>   0) & 0xFFFF) /* Revison field */
+
+int
+get_cpuid(char *buffer, size_t sz)
+{
+	unsigned long pvr;
+	int nb;
+
+	pvr = mfspr(SPRN_PVR);
+
+	nb = snprintf(buffer, sz, "%lu,%lu$", PVR_VER(pvr), PVR_REV(pvr));
+
+	/* look for end marker to ensure the entire data fit */
+	if (strchr(buffer, '$')) {
+		buffer[nb-1] = '\0';
+		return 0;
+	}
+	return -1;
+}
diff --git a/tools/perf/arch/x86/Makefile b/tools/perf/arch/x86/Makefile
index 15130b5..744e629 100644
--- a/tools/perf/arch/x86/Makefile
+++ b/tools/perf/arch/x86/Makefile
@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@
 PERF_HAVE_DWARF_REGS := 1
 LIB_OBJS += $(OUTPUT)arch/$(ARCH)/util/dwarf-regs.o
 endif
+LIB_OBJS += $(OUTPUT)arch/$(ARCH)/util/header.o
diff --git a/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/header.c b/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/header.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f940060
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/perf/arch/x86/util/header.c
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include "../../util/header.h"
+
+static inline void
+cpuid(unsigned int op, unsigned int *a, unsigned int *b, unsigned int *c,
+      unsigned int *d)
+{
+	__asm__ __volatile__ (".byte 0x53\n\tcpuid\n\t"
+			      "movl %%ebx, %%esi\n\t.byte 0x5b"
+			: "=a" (*a),
+			"=S" (*b),
+			"=c" (*c),
+			"=d" (*d)
+			: "a" (op));
+}
+
+int
+get_cpuid(char *buffer, size_t sz)
+{
+	unsigned int a, b, c, d, lvl;
+	int family = -1, model = -1, step = -1;
+	int nb;
+	char vendor[16];
+
+	cpuid(0, &lvl, &b, &c, &d);
+	strncpy(&vendor[0], (char *)(&b), 4);
+	strncpy(&vendor[4], (char *)(&d), 4);
+	strncpy(&vendor[8], (char *)(&c), 4);
+	vendor[12] = '\0';
+
+	if (lvl >= 1) {
+		cpuid(1, &a, &b, &c, &d);
+
+		family = (a >> 8) & 0xf;  /* bits 11 - 8 */
+		model  = (a >> 4) & 0xf;  /* Bits  7 - 4 */
+		step   = a & 0xf;
+
+		/* extended family */
+		if (family == 0xf)
+			family += (a >> 20) & 0xff;
+
+		/* extended model */
+		if (family >= 0x6)
+			model += ((a >> 16) & 0xf) << 4;
+	}
+	nb = snprintf(buffer, sz, "%s,%u,%u,%u$", vendor, family, model, step);
+
+	/* look for end marker to ensure the entire data fit */
+	if (strchr(buffer, '$')) {
+		buffer[nb-1] = '\0';
+		return 0;
+	}
+	return -1;
+}
diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-record.c b/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
index dd64678..f82480f 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
@@ -529,6 +529,19 @@
 	if (have_tracepoints(&evsel_list->entries))
 		perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_TRACE_INFO);
 
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_HOSTNAME);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_OSRELEASE);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_ARCH);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_CPUDESC);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_NRCPUS);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_EVENT_DESC);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_CMDLINE);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_VERSION);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_CPU_TOPOLOGY);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_TOTAL_MEM);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_NUMA_TOPOLOGY);
+	perf_header__set_feat(&session->header, HEADER_CPUID);
+
 	/* 512 kiB: default amount of unprivileged mlocked memory */
 	if (mmap_pages == UINT_MAX)
 		mmap_pages = (512 * 1024) / page_size;
@@ -800,6 +813,8 @@
 	int err = -ENOMEM;
 	struct perf_evsel *pos;
 
+	perf_header__set_cmdline(argc, argv);
+
 	evsel_list = perf_evlist__new(NULL, NULL);
 	if (evsel_list == NULL)
 		return -ENOMEM;
diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-report.c b/tools/perf/builtin-report.c
index e7140c6..66fe822 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-report.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-report.c
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
 static bool		force, use_tui, use_stdio;
 static bool		hide_unresolved;
 static bool		dont_use_callchains;
+static bool		show_full_info;
 
 static bool		show_threads;
 static struct perf_read_values	show_threads_values;
@@ -273,6 +274,9 @@
 			goto out_delete;
 	}
 
+	if (use_browser <= 0)
+		perf_session__fprintf_info(session, stdout, show_full_info);
+
 	if (show_threads)
 		perf_read_values_init(&show_threads_values);
 
@@ -485,6 +489,8 @@
 	OPT_STRING(0, "symfs", &symbol_conf.symfs, "directory",
 		    "Look for files with symbols relative to this directory"),
 	OPT_STRING('c', "cpu", &cpu_list, "cpu", "list of cpus to profile"),
+	OPT_BOOLEAN('I', "show-info", &show_full_info,
+		    "Display extended information about perf.data file"),
 	OPT_STRING('M', "disassembler-style", &disassembler_style, "disassembler style",
 		   "Specify disassembler style (e.g. -M intel for intel syntax)"),
 	OPT_BOOLEAN(0, "show-total-period", &symbol_conf.show_total_period,
diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-script.c b/tools/perf/builtin-script.c
index 09024ec..2f62a29 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-script.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-script.c
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 static u64			nr_unordered;
 extern const struct option	record_options[];
 static bool			no_callchain;
+static bool			show_full_info;
 static const char		*cpu_list;
 static DECLARE_BITMAP(cpu_bitmap, MAX_NR_CPUS);
 
@@ -1083,7 +1084,8 @@
 		     "comma separated output fields prepend with 'type:'. Valid types: hw,sw,trace,raw. Fields: comm,tid,pid,time,cpu,event,trace,ip,sym,dso,addr",
 		     parse_output_fields),
 	OPT_STRING('c', "cpu", &cpu_list, "cpu", "list of cpus to profile"),
-
+	OPT_BOOLEAN('I', "show-info", &show_full_info,
+		    "display extended information from perf.data file"),
 	OPT_END()
 };
 
@@ -1268,6 +1270,8 @@
 			return -1;
 	}
 
+	perf_session__fprintf_info(session, stdout, show_full_info);
+
 	if (!no_callchain)
 		symbol_conf.use_callchain = true;
 	else
diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin.h b/tools/perf/builtin.h
index 4702e24..b382bd5 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin.h
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin.h
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 #include "util/util.h"
 #include "util/strbuf.h"
 
-extern const char perf_version_string[];
 extern const char perf_usage_string[];
 extern const char perf_more_info_string[];
 
diff --git a/tools/perf/perf.h b/tools/perf/perf.h
index a5fc660..08b0b5e 100644
--- a/tools/perf/perf.h
+++ b/tools/perf/perf.h
@@ -9,18 +9,21 @@
 #include "../../arch/x86/include/asm/unistd.h"
 #define rmb()		asm volatile("lock; addl $0,0(%%esp)" ::: "memory")
 #define cpu_relax()	asm volatile("rep; nop" ::: "memory");
+#define CPUINFO_PROC	"model name"
 #endif
 
 #if defined(__x86_64__)
 #include "../../arch/x86/include/asm/unistd.h"
 #define rmb()		asm volatile("lfence" ::: "memory")
 #define cpu_relax()	asm volatile("rep; nop" ::: "memory");
+#define CPUINFO_PROC	"model name"
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __powerpc__
 #include "../../arch/powerpc/include/asm/unistd.h"
 #define rmb()		asm volatile ("sync" ::: "memory")
 #define cpu_relax()	asm volatile ("" ::: "memory");
+#define CPUINFO_PROC	"cpu"
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __s390__
@@ -37,30 +40,35 @@
 # define rmb()		asm volatile("" ::: "memory")
 #endif
 #define cpu_relax()	asm volatile("" ::: "memory")
+#define CPUINFO_PROC	"cpu type"
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __hppa__
 #include "../../arch/parisc/include/asm/unistd.h"
 #define rmb()		asm volatile("" ::: "memory")
 #define cpu_relax()	asm volatile("" ::: "memory");
+#define CPUINFO_PROC	"cpu"
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __sparc__
 #include "../../arch/sparc/include/asm/unistd.h"
 #define rmb()		asm volatile("":::"memory")
 #define cpu_relax()	asm volatile("":::"memory")
+#define CPUINFO_PROC	"cpu"
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __alpha__
 #include "../../arch/alpha/include/asm/unistd.h"
 #define rmb()		asm volatile("mb" ::: "memory")
 #define cpu_relax()	asm volatile("" ::: "memory")
+#define CPUINFO_PROC	"cpu model"
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __ia64__
 #include "../../arch/ia64/include/asm/unistd.h"
 #define rmb()		asm volatile ("mf" ::: "memory")
 #define cpu_relax()	asm volatile ("hint @pause" ::: "memory")
+#define CPUINFO_PROC	"model name"
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __arm__
@@ -71,6 +79,7 @@
  */
 #define rmb()		((void(*)(void))0xffff0fa0)()
 #define cpu_relax()	asm volatile("":::"memory")
+#define CPUINFO_PROC	"Processor"
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __mips__
@@ -83,6 +92,7 @@
 				: /* no input */			\
 				: "memory")
 #define cpu_relax()	asm volatile("" ::: "memory")
+#define CPUINFO_PROC	"cpu model"
 #endif
 
 #include <time.h>
@@ -171,5 +181,6 @@
 };
 
 extern bool perf_host, perf_guest;
+extern const char perf_version_string[];
 
 #endif
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/header.c b/tools/perf/util/header.c
index b6c1ad1..f2ceb0f 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/header.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/header.c
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <linux/list.h>
 #include <linux/kernel.h>
+#include <sys/utsname.h>
 
 #include "evlist.h"
 #include "evsel.h"
@@ -17,12 +18,19 @@
 #include "session.h"
 #include "symbol.h"
 #include "debug.h"
+#include "cpumap.h"
 
 static bool no_buildid_cache = false;
 
 static int event_count;
 static struct perf_trace_event_type *events;
 
+static u32 header_argc;
+static const char **header_argv;
+
+static int dsos__write_buildid_table(struct perf_header *header, int fd);
+static int perf_session__cache_build_ids(struct perf_session *session);
+
 int perf_header__push_event(u64 id, const char *name)
 {
 	if (strlen(name) > MAX_EVENT_NAME)
@@ -110,6 +118,1020 @@
 	return err;
 }
 
+static int do_write_string(int fd, const char *str)
+{
+	u32 len, olen;
+	int ret;
+
+	olen = strlen(str) + 1;
+	len = ALIGN(olen, NAME_ALIGN);
+
+	/* write len, incl. \0 */
+	ret = do_write(fd, &len, sizeof(len));
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return ret;
+
+	return write_padded(fd, str, olen, len);
+}
+
+static char *do_read_string(int fd, struct perf_header *ph)
+{
+	ssize_t sz, ret;
+	u32 len;
+	char *buf;
+
+	sz = read(fd, &len, sizeof(len));
+	if (sz < (ssize_t)sizeof(len))
+		return NULL;
+
+	if (ph->needs_swap)
+		len = bswap_32(len);
+
+	buf = malloc(len);
+	if (!buf)
+		return NULL;
+
+	ret = read(fd, buf, len);
+	if (ret == (ssize_t)len) {
+		/*
+		 * strings are padded by zeroes
+		 * thus the actual strlen of buf
+		 * may be less than len
+		 */
+		return buf;
+	}
+
+	free(buf);
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+int
+perf_header__set_cmdline(int argc, const char **argv)
+{
+	int i;
+
+	header_argc = (u32)argc;
+
+	/* do not include NULL termination */
+	header_argv = calloc(argc, sizeof(char *));
+	if (!header_argv)
+		return -ENOMEM;
+
+	/*
+	 * must copy argv contents because it gets moved
+	 * around during option parsing
+	 */
+	for (i = 0; i < argc ; i++)
+		header_argv[i] = argv[i];
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static int write_trace_info(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+			    struct perf_evlist *evlist)
+{
+	return read_tracing_data(fd, &evlist->entries);
+}
+
+
+static int write_build_id(int fd, struct perf_header *h,
+			  struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	struct perf_session *session;
+	int err;
+
+	session = container_of(h, struct perf_session, header);
+
+	err = dsos__write_buildid_table(h, fd);
+	if (err < 0) {
+		pr_debug("failed to write buildid table\n");
+		return err;
+	}
+	if (!no_buildid_cache)
+		perf_session__cache_build_ids(session);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static int write_hostname(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+			  struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	struct utsname uts;
+	int ret;
+
+	ret = uname(&uts);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	return do_write_string(fd, uts.nodename);
+}
+
+static int write_osrelease(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+			   struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	struct utsname uts;
+	int ret;
+
+	ret = uname(&uts);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	return do_write_string(fd, uts.release);
+}
+
+static int write_arch(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+		      struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	struct utsname uts;
+	int ret;
+
+	ret = uname(&uts);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	return do_write_string(fd, uts.machine);
+}
+
+static int write_version(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+			 struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	return do_write_string(fd, perf_version_string);
+}
+
+static int write_cpudesc(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+		       struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+#ifndef CPUINFO_PROC
+#define CPUINFO_PROC NULL
+#endif
+	FILE *file;
+	char *buf = NULL;
+	char *s, *p;
+	const char *search = CPUINFO_PROC;
+	size_t len = 0;
+	int ret = -1;
+
+	if (!search)
+		return -1;
+
+	file = fopen("/proc/cpuinfo", "r");
+	if (!file)
+		return -1;
+
+	while (getline(&buf, &len, file) > 0) {
+		ret = strncmp(buf, search, strlen(search));
+		if (!ret)
+			break;
+	}
+
+	if (ret)
+		goto done;
+
+	s = buf;
+
+	p = strchr(buf, ':');
+	if (p && *(p+1) == ' ' && *(p+2))
+		s = p + 2;
+	p = strchr(s, '\n');
+	if (p)
+		*p = '\0';
+
+	/* squash extra space characters (branding string) */
+	p = s;
+	while (*p) {
+		if (isspace(*p)) {
+			char *r = p + 1;
+			char *q = r;
+			*p = ' ';
+			while (*q && isspace(*q))
+				q++;
+			if (q != (p+1))
+				while ((*r++ = *q++));
+		}
+		p++;
+	}
+	ret = do_write_string(fd, s);
+done:
+	free(buf);
+	fclose(file);
+	return ret;
+}
+
+static int write_nrcpus(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+			struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	long nr;
+	u32 nrc, nra;
+	int ret;
+
+	nr = sysconf(_SC_NPROCESSORS_CONF);
+	if (nr < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	nrc = (u32)(nr & UINT_MAX);
+
+	nr = sysconf(_SC_NPROCESSORS_ONLN);
+	if (nr < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	nra = (u32)(nr & UINT_MAX);
+
+	ret = do_write(fd, &nrc, sizeof(nrc));
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return ret;
+
+	return do_write(fd, &nra, sizeof(nra));
+}
+
+static int write_event_desc(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+			    struct perf_evlist *evlist)
+{
+	struct perf_evsel *attr;
+	u32 nre = 0, nri, sz;
+	int ret;
+
+	list_for_each_entry(attr, &evlist->entries, node)
+		nre++;
+
+	/*
+	 * write number of events
+	 */
+	ret = do_write(fd, &nre, sizeof(nre));
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return ret;
+
+	/*
+	 * size of perf_event_attr struct
+	 */
+	sz = (u32)sizeof(attr->attr);
+	ret = do_write(fd, &sz, sizeof(sz));
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return ret;
+
+	list_for_each_entry(attr, &evlist->entries, node) {
+
+		ret = do_write(fd, &attr->attr, sz);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			return ret;
+		/*
+		 * write number of unique id per event
+		 * there is one id per instance of an event
+		 *
+		 * copy into an nri to be independent of the
+		 * type of ids,
+		 */
+		nri = attr->ids;
+		ret = do_write(fd, &nri, sizeof(nri));
+		if (ret < 0)
+			return ret;
+
+		/*
+		 * write event string as passed on cmdline
+		 */
+		ret = do_write_string(fd, attr->name);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			return ret;
+		/*
+		 * write unique ids for this event
+		 */
+		ret = do_write(fd, attr->id, attr->ids * sizeof(u64));
+		if (ret < 0)
+			return ret;
+	}
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static int write_cmdline(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+			 struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	char buf[MAXPATHLEN];
+	char proc[32];
+	u32 i, n;
+	int ret;
+
+	/*
+	 * actual atual path to perf binary
+	 */
+	sprintf(proc, "/proc/%d/exe", getpid());
+	ret = readlink(proc, buf, sizeof(buf));
+	if (ret <= 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	/* readlink() does not add null termination */
+	buf[ret] = '\0';
+
+	/* account for binary path */
+	n = header_argc + 1;
+
+	ret = do_write(fd, &n, sizeof(n));
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return ret;
+
+	ret = do_write_string(fd, buf);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		return ret;
+
+	for (i = 0 ; i < header_argc; i++) {
+		ret = do_write_string(fd, header_argv[i]);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			return ret;
+	}
+	return 0;
+}
+
+#define CORE_SIB_FMT \
+	"/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu%d/topology/core_siblings_list"
+#define THRD_SIB_FMT \
+	"/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu%d/topology/thread_siblings_list"
+
+struct cpu_topo {
+	u32 core_sib;
+	u32 thread_sib;
+	char **core_siblings;
+	char **thread_siblings;
+};
+
+static int build_cpu_topo(struct cpu_topo *tp, int cpu)
+{
+	FILE *fp;
+	char filename[MAXPATHLEN];
+	char *buf = NULL, *p;
+	size_t len = 0;
+	u32 i = 0;
+	int ret = -1;
+
+	sprintf(filename, CORE_SIB_FMT, cpu);
+	fp = fopen(filename, "r");
+	if (!fp)
+		return -1;
+
+	if (getline(&buf, &len, fp) <= 0)
+		goto done;
+
+	fclose(fp);
+
+	p = strchr(buf, '\n');
+	if (p)
+		*p = '\0';
+
+	for (i = 0; i < tp->core_sib; i++) {
+		if (!strcmp(buf, tp->core_siblings[i]))
+			break;
+	}
+	if (i == tp->core_sib) {
+		tp->core_siblings[i] = buf;
+		tp->core_sib++;
+		buf = NULL;
+		len = 0;
+	}
+
+	sprintf(filename, THRD_SIB_FMT, cpu);
+	fp = fopen(filename, "r");
+	if (!fp)
+		goto done;
+
+	if (getline(&buf, &len, fp) <= 0)
+		goto done;
+
+	p = strchr(buf, '\n');
+	if (p)
+		*p = '\0';
+
+	for (i = 0; i < tp->thread_sib; i++) {
+		if (!strcmp(buf, tp->thread_siblings[i]))
+			break;
+	}
+	if (i == tp->thread_sib) {
+		tp->thread_siblings[i] = buf;
+		tp->thread_sib++;
+		buf = NULL;
+	}
+	ret = 0;
+done:
+	if(fp)
+		fclose(fp);
+	free(buf);
+	return ret;
+}
+
+static void free_cpu_topo(struct cpu_topo *tp)
+{
+	u32 i;
+
+	if (!tp)
+		return;
+
+	for (i = 0 ; i < tp->core_sib; i++)
+		free(tp->core_siblings[i]);
+
+	for (i = 0 ; i < tp->thread_sib; i++)
+		free(tp->thread_siblings[i]);
+
+	free(tp);
+}
+
+static struct cpu_topo *build_cpu_topology(void)
+{
+	struct cpu_topo *tp;
+	void *addr;
+	u32 nr, i;
+	size_t sz;
+	long ncpus;
+	int ret = -1;
+
+	ncpus = sysconf(_SC_NPROCESSORS_CONF);
+	if (ncpus < 0)
+		return NULL;
+
+	nr = (u32)(ncpus & UINT_MAX);
+
+	sz = nr * sizeof(char *);
+
+	addr = calloc(1, sizeof(*tp) + 2 * sz);
+	if (!addr)
+		return NULL;
+
+	tp = addr;
+
+	addr += sizeof(*tp);
+	tp->core_siblings = addr;
+	addr += sz;
+	tp->thread_siblings = addr;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < nr; i++) {
+		ret = build_cpu_topo(tp, i);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			break;
+	}
+	if (ret) {
+		free_cpu_topo(tp);
+		tp = NULL;
+	}
+	return tp;
+}
+
+static int write_cpu_topology(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+			  struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	struct cpu_topo *tp;
+	u32 i;
+	int ret;
+
+	tp = build_cpu_topology();
+	if (!tp)
+		return -1;
+
+	ret = do_write(fd, &tp->core_sib, sizeof(tp->core_sib));
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto done;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < tp->core_sib; i++) {
+		ret = do_write_string(fd, tp->core_siblings[i]);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			goto done;
+	}
+	ret = do_write(fd, &tp->thread_sib, sizeof(tp->thread_sib));
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto done;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < tp->thread_sib; i++) {
+		ret = do_write_string(fd, tp->thread_siblings[i]);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			break;
+	}
+done:
+	free_cpu_topo(tp);
+	return ret;
+}
+
+
+
+static int write_total_mem(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+			  struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	char *buf = NULL;
+	FILE *fp;
+	size_t len = 0;
+	int ret = -1, n;
+	uint64_t mem;
+
+	fp = fopen("/proc/meminfo", "r");
+	if (!fp)
+		return -1;
+
+	while (getline(&buf, &len, fp) > 0) {
+		ret = strncmp(buf, "MemTotal:", 9);
+		if (!ret)
+			break;
+	}
+	if (!ret) {
+		n = sscanf(buf, "%*s %"PRIu64, &mem);
+		if (n == 1)
+			ret = do_write(fd, &mem, sizeof(mem));
+	}
+	free(buf);
+	fclose(fp);
+	return ret;
+}
+
+static int write_topo_node(int fd, int node)
+{
+	char str[MAXPATHLEN];
+	char field[32];
+	char *buf = NULL, *p;
+	size_t len = 0;
+	FILE *fp;
+	u64 mem_total, mem_free, mem;
+	int ret = -1;
+
+	sprintf(str, "/sys/devices/system/node/node%d/meminfo", node);
+	fp = fopen(str, "r");
+	if (!fp)
+		return -1;
+
+	while (getline(&buf, &len, fp) > 0) {
+		/* skip over invalid lines */
+		if (!strchr(buf, ':'))
+			continue;
+		if (sscanf(buf, "%*s %*d %s %"PRIu64, field, &mem) != 2)
+			goto done;
+		if (!strcmp(field, "MemTotal:"))
+			mem_total = mem;
+		if (!strcmp(field, "MemFree:"))
+			mem_free = mem;
+	}
+
+	fclose(fp);
+
+	ret = do_write(fd, &mem_total, sizeof(u64));
+	if (ret)
+		goto done;
+
+	ret = do_write(fd, &mem_free, sizeof(u64));
+	if (ret)
+		goto done;
+
+	ret = -1;
+	sprintf(str, "/sys/devices/system/node/node%d/cpulist", node);
+
+	fp = fopen(str, "r");
+	if (!fp)
+		goto done;
+
+	if (getline(&buf, &len, fp) <= 0)
+		goto done;
+
+	p = strchr(buf, '\n');
+	if (p)
+		*p = '\0';
+
+	ret = do_write_string(fd, buf);
+done:
+	free(buf);
+	fclose(fp);
+	return ret;
+}
+
+static int write_numa_topology(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+			  struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	char *buf = NULL;
+	size_t len = 0;
+	FILE *fp;
+	struct cpu_map *node_map = NULL;
+	char *c;
+	u32 nr, i, j;
+	int ret = -1;
+
+	fp = fopen("/sys/devices/system/node/online", "r");
+	if (!fp)
+		return -1;
+
+	if (getline(&buf, &len, fp) <= 0)
+		goto done;
+
+	c = strchr(buf, '\n');
+	if (c)
+		*c = '\0';
+
+	node_map = cpu_map__new(buf);
+	if (!node_map)
+		goto done;
+
+	nr = (u32)node_map->nr;
+
+	ret = do_write(fd, &nr, sizeof(nr));
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto done;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < nr; i++) {
+		j = (u32)node_map->map[i];
+		ret = do_write(fd, &j, sizeof(j));
+		if (ret < 0)
+			break;
+
+		ret = write_topo_node(fd, i);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			break;
+	}
+done:
+	free(buf);
+	fclose(fp);
+	free(node_map);
+	return ret;
+}
+
+/*
+ * default get_cpuid(): nothing gets recorded
+ * actual implementation must be in arch/$(ARCH)/util/header.c
+ */
+int __attribute__((weak)) get_cpuid(char *buffer __used, size_t sz __used)
+{
+	return -1;
+}
+
+static int write_cpuid(int fd, struct perf_header *h __used,
+		       struct perf_evlist *evlist __used)
+{
+	char buffer[64];
+	int ret;
+
+	ret = get_cpuid(buffer, sizeof(buffer));
+	if (!ret)
+		goto write_it;
+
+	return -1;
+write_it:
+	return do_write_string(fd, buffer);
+}
+
+static void print_hostname(struct perf_header *ph, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	char *str = do_read_string(fd, ph);
+	fprintf(fp, "# hostname : %s\n", str);
+	free(str);
+}
+
+static void print_osrelease(struct perf_header *ph, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	char *str = do_read_string(fd, ph);
+	fprintf(fp, "# os release : %s\n", str);
+	free(str);
+}
+
+static void print_arch(struct perf_header *ph, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	char *str = do_read_string(fd, ph);
+	fprintf(fp, "# arch : %s\n", str);
+	free(str);
+}
+
+static void print_cpudesc(struct perf_header *ph, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	char *str = do_read_string(fd, ph);
+	fprintf(fp, "# cpudesc : %s\n", str);
+	free(str);
+}
+
+static void print_nrcpus(struct perf_header *ph, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	ssize_t ret;
+	u32 nr;
+
+	ret = read(fd, &nr, sizeof(nr));
+	if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(nr))
+		nr = -1; /* interpreted as error */
+
+	if (ph->needs_swap)
+		nr = bswap_32(nr);
+
+	fprintf(fp, "# nrcpus online : %u\n", nr);
+
+	ret = read(fd, &nr, sizeof(nr));
+	if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(nr))
+		nr = -1; /* interpreted as error */
+
+	if (ph->needs_swap)
+		nr = bswap_32(nr);
+
+	fprintf(fp, "# nrcpus avail : %u\n", nr);
+}
+
+static void print_version(struct perf_header *ph, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	char *str = do_read_string(fd, ph);
+	fprintf(fp, "# perf version : %s\n", str);
+	free(str);
+}
+
+static void print_cmdline(struct perf_header *ph, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	ssize_t ret;
+	char *str;
+	u32 nr, i;
+
+	ret = read(fd, &nr, sizeof(nr));
+	if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(nr))
+		return;
+
+	if (ph->needs_swap)
+		nr = bswap_32(nr);
+
+	fprintf(fp, "# cmdline : ");
+
+	for (i = 0; i < nr; i++) {
+		str = do_read_string(fd, ph);
+		fprintf(fp, "%s ", str);
+		free(str);
+	}
+	fputc('\n', fp);
+}
+
+static void print_cpu_topology(struct perf_header *ph, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	ssize_t ret;
+	u32 nr, i;
+	char *str;
+
+	ret = read(fd, &nr, sizeof(nr));
+	if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(nr))
+		return;
+
+	if (ph->needs_swap)
+		nr = bswap_32(nr);
+
+	for (i = 0; i < nr; i++) {
+		str = do_read_string(fd, ph);
+		fprintf(fp, "# sibling cores   : %s\n", str);
+		free(str);
+	}
+
+	ret = read(fd, &nr, sizeof(nr));
+	if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(nr))
+		return;
+
+	if (ph->needs_swap)
+		nr = bswap_32(nr);
+
+	for (i = 0; i < nr; i++) {
+		str = do_read_string(fd, ph);
+		fprintf(fp, "# sibling threads : %s\n", str);
+		free(str);
+	}
+}
+
+static void print_event_desc(struct perf_header *ph, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	struct perf_event_attr attr;
+	uint64_t id;
+	void *buf = NULL;
+	char *str;
+	u32 nre, sz, nr, i, j, msz;
+	int ret;
+
+	/* number of events */
+	ret = read(fd, &nre, sizeof(nre));
+	if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(nre))
+		goto error;
+
+	if (ph->needs_swap)
+		nre = bswap_32(nre);
+
+	ret = read(fd, &sz, sizeof(sz));
+	if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(sz))
+		goto error;
+
+	if (ph->needs_swap)
+		sz = bswap_32(sz);
+
+	/*
+	 * ensure it is at least to our ABI rev
+	 */
+	if (sz < (u32)sizeof(attr))
+		goto error;
+
+	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
+
+	/* read entire region to sync up to next field */
+	buf = malloc(sz);
+	if (!buf)
+		goto error;
+
+	msz = sizeof(attr);
+	if (sz < msz)
+		msz = sz;
+
+	for (i = 0 ; i < nre; i++) {
+
+		ret = read(fd, buf, sz);
+		if (ret != (ssize_t)sz)
+			goto error;
+
+		if (ph->needs_swap)
+			perf_event__attr_swap(buf);
+
+		memcpy(&attr, buf, msz);
+
+		ret = read(fd, &nr, sizeof(nr));
+		if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(nr))
+			goto error;
+
+		if (ph->needs_swap)
+			nr = bswap_32(nr);
+
+		str = do_read_string(fd, ph);
+		fprintf(fp, "# event : name = %s, ", str);
+		free(str);
+
+		fprintf(fp, "type = %d, config = 0x%"PRIx64
+			    ", config1 = 0x%"PRIx64", config2 = 0x%"PRIx64,
+				attr.type,
+				(u64)attr.config,
+				(u64)attr.config1,
+				(u64)attr.config2);
+
+		fprintf(fp, ", excl_usr = %d, excl_kern = %d",
+				attr.exclude_user,
+				attr.exclude_kernel);
+
+		if (nr)
+			fprintf(fp, ", id = {");
+
+		for (j = 0 ; j < nr; j++) {
+			ret = read(fd, &id, sizeof(id));
+			if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(id))
+				goto error;
+
+			if (ph->needs_swap)
+				id = bswap_64(id);
+
+			if (j)
+				fputc(',', fp);
+
+			fprintf(fp, " %"PRIu64, id);
+		}
+		if (nr && j == nr)
+			fprintf(fp, " }");
+		fputc('\n', fp);
+	}
+	free(buf);
+	return;
+error:
+	fprintf(fp, "# event desc: not available or unable to read\n");
+}
+
+static void print_total_mem(struct perf_header *h __used, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	uint64_t mem;
+	ssize_t ret;
+
+	ret = read(fd, &mem, sizeof(mem));
+	if (ret != sizeof(mem))
+		goto error;
+
+	if (h->needs_swap)
+		mem = bswap_64(mem);
+
+	fprintf(fp, "# total memory : %"PRIu64" kB\n", mem);
+	return;
+error:
+	fprintf(fp, "# total memory : unknown\n");
+}
+
+static void print_numa_topology(struct perf_header *h __used, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	ssize_t ret;
+	u32 nr, c, i;
+	char *str;
+	uint64_t mem_total, mem_free;
+
+	/* nr nodes */
+	ret = read(fd, &nr, sizeof(nr));
+	if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(nr))
+		goto error;
+
+	if (h->needs_swap)
+		nr = bswap_32(nr);
+
+	for (i = 0; i < nr; i++) {
+
+		/* node number */
+		ret = read(fd, &c, sizeof(c));
+		if (ret != (ssize_t)sizeof(c))
+			goto error;
+
+		if (h->needs_swap)
+			c = bswap_32(c);
+
+		ret = read(fd, &mem_total, sizeof(u64));
+		if (ret != sizeof(u64))
+			goto error;
+
+		ret = read(fd, &mem_free, sizeof(u64));
+		if (ret != sizeof(u64))
+			goto error;
+
+		if (h->needs_swap) {
+			mem_total = bswap_64(mem_total);
+			mem_free = bswap_64(mem_free);
+		}
+
+		fprintf(fp, "# node%u meminfo  : total = %"PRIu64" kB,"
+			    " free = %"PRIu64" kB\n",
+			c,
+			mem_total,
+			mem_free);
+
+		str = do_read_string(fd, h);
+		fprintf(fp, "# node%u cpu list : %s\n", c, str);
+		free(str);
+	}
+	return;
+error:
+	fprintf(fp, "# numa topology : not available\n");
+}
+
+static void print_cpuid(struct perf_header *ph, int fd, FILE *fp)
+{
+	char *str = do_read_string(fd, ph);
+	fprintf(fp, "# cpuid : %s\n", str);
+	free(str);
+}
+
+struct feature_ops {
+	int (*write)(int fd, struct perf_header *h, struct perf_evlist *evlist);
+	void (*print)(struct perf_header *h, int fd, FILE *fp);
+	const char *name;
+	bool full_only;
+};
+
+#define FEAT_OPA(n, w, p) \
+	[n] = { .name = #n, .write = w, .print = p }
+#define FEAT_OPF(n, w, p) \
+	[n] = { .name = #n, .write = w, .print = p, .full_only = true }
+
+static const struct feature_ops feat_ops[HEADER_LAST_FEATURE] = {
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_TRACE_INFO, write_trace_info, NULL),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_BUILD_ID, write_build_id, NULL),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_HOSTNAME, write_hostname, print_hostname),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_OSRELEASE, write_osrelease, print_osrelease),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_VERSION, write_version, print_version),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_ARCH, write_arch, print_arch),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_NRCPUS, write_nrcpus, print_nrcpus),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_CPUDESC, write_cpudesc, print_cpudesc),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_CPUID, write_cpuid, print_cpuid),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_TOTAL_MEM, write_total_mem, print_total_mem),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_EVENT_DESC, write_event_desc, print_event_desc),
+	FEAT_OPA(HEADER_CMDLINE, write_cmdline, print_cmdline),
+	FEAT_OPF(HEADER_CPU_TOPOLOGY, write_cpu_topology, print_cpu_topology),
+	FEAT_OPF(HEADER_NUMA_TOPOLOGY, write_numa_topology, print_numa_topology),
+};
+
+struct header_print_data {
+	FILE *fp;
+	bool full; /* extended list of headers */
+};
+
+static int perf_file_section__fprintf_info(struct perf_file_section *section,
+					   struct perf_header *ph,
+					   int feat, int fd, void *data)
+{
+	struct header_print_data *hd = data;
+
+	if (lseek(fd, section->offset, SEEK_SET) == (off_t)-1) {
+		pr_debug("Failed to lseek to %" PRIu64 " offset for feature "
+				"%d, continuing...\n", section->offset, feat);
+		return 0;
+	}
+	if (feat < HEADER_TRACE_INFO || feat >= HEADER_LAST_FEATURE) {
+		pr_warning("unknown feature %d\n", feat);
+		return -1;
+	}
+	if (!feat_ops[feat].print)
+		return 0;
+
+	if (!feat_ops[feat].full_only || hd->full)
+		feat_ops[feat].print(ph, fd, hd->fp);
+	else
+		fprintf(hd->fp, "# %s info available, use -I to display\n",
+			feat_ops[feat].name);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int perf_header__fprintf_info(struct perf_session *session, FILE *fp, bool full)
+{
+	struct header_print_data hd;
+	struct perf_header *header = &session->header;
+	int fd = session->fd;
+	hd.fp = fp;
+	hd.full = full;
+
+	perf_header__process_sections(header, fd, &hd,
+				      perf_file_section__fprintf_info);
+	return 0;
+}
+
 #define dsos__for_each_with_build_id(pos, head)	\
 	list_for_each_entry(pos, head, node)	\
 		if (!pos->has_build_id)		\
@@ -356,15 +1378,41 @@
 	return ret;
 }
 
+static int do_write_feat(int fd, struct perf_header *h, int type,
+			 struct perf_file_section **p,
+			 struct perf_evlist *evlist)
+{
+	int err;
+	int ret = 0;
+
+	if (perf_header__has_feat(h, type)) {
+
+		(*p)->offset = lseek(fd, 0, SEEK_CUR);
+
+		err = feat_ops[type].write(fd, h, evlist);
+		if (err < 0) {
+			pr_debug("failed to write feature %d\n", type);
+
+			/* undo anything written */
+			lseek(fd, (*p)->offset, SEEK_SET);
+
+			return -1;
+		}
+		(*p)->size = lseek(fd, 0, SEEK_CUR) - (*p)->offset;
+		(*p)++;
+	}
+	return ret;
+}
+
 static int perf_header__adds_write(struct perf_header *header,
 				   struct perf_evlist *evlist, int fd)
 {
 	int nr_sections;
 	struct perf_session *session;
-	struct perf_file_section *feat_sec;
+	struct perf_file_section *feat_sec, *p;
 	int sec_size;
 	u64 sec_start;
-	int idx = 0, err;
+	int err;
 
 	session = container_of(header, struct perf_session, header);
 
@@ -376,7 +1424,7 @@
 	if (!nr_sections)
 		return 0;
 
-	feat_sec = calloc(sizeof(*feat_sec), nr_sections);
+	feat_sec = p = calloc(sizeof(*feat_sec), nr_sections);
 	if (feat_sec == NULL)
 		return -ENOMEM;
 
@@ -385,36 +1433,69 @@
 	sec_start = header->data_offset + header->data_size;
 	lseek(fd, sec_start + sec_size, SEEK_SET);
 
-	if (perf_header__has_feat(header, HEADER_TRACE_INFO)) {
-		struct perf_file_section *trace_sec;
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_TRACE_INFO, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		goto out_free;
 
-		trace_sec = &feat_sec[idx++];
-
-		/* Write trace info */
-		trace_sec->offset = lseek(fd, 0, SEEK_CUR);
-		read_tracing_data(fd, &evlist->entries);
-		trace_sec->size = lseek(fd, 0, SEEK_CUR) - trace_sec->offset;
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_BUILD_ID, &p, evlist);
+	if (err) {
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_BUILD_ID);
+		goto out_free;
 	}
 
-	if (perf_header__has_feat(header, HEADER_BUILD_ID)) {
-		struct perf_file_section *buildid_sec;
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_HOSTNAME, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_HOSTNAME);
 
-		buildid_sec = &feat_sec[idx++];
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_OSRELEASE, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_OSRELEASE);
 
-		/* Write build-ids */
-		buildid_sec->offset = lseek(fd, 0, SEEK_CUR);
-		err = dsos__write_buildid_table(header, fd);
-		if (err < 0) {
-			pr_debug("failed to write buildid table\n");
-			goto out_free;
-		}
-		buildid_sec->size = lseek(fd, 0, SEEK_CUR) -
-					  buildid_sec->offset;
-		if (!no_buildid_cache)
-			perf_session__cache_build_ids(session);
-	}
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_VERSION, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_VERSION);
+
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_ARCH, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_ARCH);
+
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_NRCPUS, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_NRCPUS);
+
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_CPUDESC, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_CPUDESC);
+
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_CPUID, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_CPUID);
+
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_TOTAL_MEM, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_TOTAL_MEM);
+
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_CMDLINE, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_CMDLINE);
+
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_EVENT_DESC, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_EVENT_DESC);
+
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_CPU_TOPOLOGY, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_CPU_TOPOLOGY);
+
+	err = do_write_feat(fd, header, HEADER_NUMA_TOPOLOGY, &p, evlist);
+	if (err)
+		perf_header__clear_feat(header, HEADER_NUMA_TOPOLOGY);
 
 	lseek(fd, sec_start, SEEK_SET);
+	/*
+	 * may write more than needed due to dropped feature, but
+	 * this is okay, reader will skip the mising entries
+	 */
 	err = do_write(fd, feat_sec, sec_size);
 	if (err < 0)
 		pr_debug("failed to write feature section\n");
@@ -554,9 +1635,10 @@
 }
 
 int perf_header__process_sections(struct perf_header *header, int fd,
+				  void *data,
 				  int (*process)(struct perf_file_section *section,
-						 struct perf_header *ph,
-						 int feat, int fd))
+				  struct perf_header *ph,
+				  int feat, int fd, void *data))
 {
 	struct perf_file_section *feat_sec;
 	int nr_sections;
@@ -584,7 +1666,7 @@
 		if (perf_header__has_feat(header, feat)) {
 			struct perf_file_section *sec = &feat_sec[idx++];
 
-			err = process(sec, header, feat, fd);
+			err = process(sec, header, feat, fd, data);
 			if (err < 0)
 				break;
 		}
@@ -796,7 +1878,7 @@
 
 static int perf_file_section__process(struct perf_file_section *section,
 				      struct perf_header *ph,
-				      int feat, int fd)
+				      int feat, int fd, void *data __used)
 {
 	if (lseek(fd, section->offset, SEEK_SET) == (off_t)-1) {
 		pr_debug("Failed to lseek to %" PRIu64 " offset for feature "
@@ -935,7 +2017,8 @@
 		event_count =  f_header.event_types.size / sizeof(struct perf_trace_event_type);
 	}
 
-	perf_header__process_sections(header, fd, perf_file_section__process);
+	perf_header__process_sections(header, fd, NULL,
+				      perf_file_section__process);
 
 	lseek(fd, header->data_offset, SEEK_SET);
 
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/header.h b/tools/perf/util/header.h
index 1886256..3d5a742 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/header.h
+++ b/tools/perf/util/header.h
@@ -12,6 +12,20 @@
 enum {
 	HEADER_TRACE_INFO = 1,
 	HEADER_BUILD_ID,
+
+	HEADER_HOSTNAME,
+	HEADER_OSRELEASE,
+	HEADER_VERSION,
+	HEADER_ARCH,
+	HEADER_NRCPUS,
+	HEADER_CPUDESC,
+	HEADER_CPUID,
+	HEADER_TOTAL_MEM,
+	HEADER_CMDLINE,
+	HEADER_EVENT_DESC,
+	HEADER_CPU_TOPOLOGY,
+	HEADER_NUMA_TOPOLOGY,
+
 	HEADER_LAST_FEATURE,
 };
 
@@ -68,10 +82,15 @@
 void perf_header__clear_feat(struct perf_header *header, int feat);
 bool perf_header__has_feat(const struct perf_header *header, int feat);
 
+int perf_header__set_cmdline(int argc, const char **argv);
+
 int perf_header__process_sections(struct perf_header *header, int fd,
+				  void *data,
 				  int (*process)(struct perf_file_section *section,
-						 struct perf_header *ph,
-						 int feat, int fd));
+				  struct perf_header *ph,
+				  int feat, int fd, void *data));
+
+int perf_header__fprintf_info(struct perf_session *s, FILE *fp, bool full);
 
 int build_id_cache__add_s(const char *sbuild_id, const char *debugdir,
 			  const char *name, bool is_kallsyms);
@@ -104,4 +123,10 @@
 				    struct perf_session *session);
 int perf_event__process_build_id(union perf_event *event,
 				 struct perf_session *session);
+
+/*
+ * arch specific callback
+ */
+int get_cpuid(char *buffer, size_t sz);
+
 #endif /* __PERF_HEADER_H */
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/session.c b/tools/perf/util/session.c
index 72458d9..20e011c 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/session.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/session.c
@@ -1326,3 +1326,22 @@
 
 	return 0;
 }
+
+void perf_session__fprintf_info(struct perf_session *session, FILE *fp,
+				bool full)
+{
+	struct stat st;
+	int ret;
+
+	if (session == NULL || fp == NULL)
+		return;
+
+	ret = fstat(session->fd, &st);
+	if (ret == -1)
+		return;
+
+	fprintf(fp, "# ========\n");
+	fprintf(fp, "# captured on: %s", ctime(&st.st_ctime));
+	perf_header__fprintf_info(session, fp, full);
+	fprintf(fp, "# ========\n#\n");
+}
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/session.h b/tools/perf/util/session.h
index 974d0cb..514b06d 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/session.h
+++ b/tools/perf/util/session.h
@@ -177,4 +177,5 @@
 int perf_session__cpu_bitmap(struct perf_session *session,
 			     const char *cpu_list, unsigned long *cpu_bitmap);
 
+void perf_session__fprintf_info(struct perf_session *s, FILE *fp, bool full);
 #endif /* __PERF_SESSION_H */