eBPF-based approaches for application performance optimization
Event details
| Date | 13.06.2023 |
| Hour | 14:00 › 16:00 |
| Speaker | Rui Yang |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
EDIC candidacy exam
Exam president: Prof. Katerina Argyraki
Thesis advisor: Prof. Edouard Bugnion
Co-examiner: Prof. Sanidhya Kashyap
Abstract
The performance limitations of monolithic Linux-like kernel
designs have sparked interest in alternative approaches
for enhancing operating system efficiency. While kernel bypass
techniques and hardware offloading have been widely
studied, their compatibility and deployability with existing
kernels remain challenges. In recent years, eBPF has emerged
as a promising solution, offering a programmable interface
within the kernel for high-performance packet processing.
This report explores recent works using eBPF to enhance
host network performance. We present the following three
frameworks leveraging eBPF for different purposes: (i) XDP
for efficient packet processing; (ii) Electrode for consensus
protocol offloading, and (iii) Syrup for user-defined scheduling.
We note that existing research efforts have primarily
focused on optimizing UDP traffic, largely neglecting TCP
traffic which is still dominant in many environments. Hence
this report concludes with a research proposal to further
explore and extend the capabilities of eBPF for enhancing
TCP performance in a fine-grained manner.
Background papers
1. The eXpress Data Path: Fast Programmable Packet Processing in the Operating System Kernel
2. Syrup: User-Defined Scheduling Across the Stack
3. Electrode: Accelerating Distributed Protocols with eBPF
Exam president: Prof. Katerina Argyraki
Thesis advisor: Prof. Edouard Bugnion
Co-examiner: Prof. Sanidhya Kashyap
Abstract
The performance limitations of monolithic Linux-like kernel
designs have sparked interest in alternative approaches
for enhancing operating system efficiency. While kernel bypass
techniques and hardware offloading have been widely
studied, their compatibility and deployability with existing
kernels remain challenges. In recent years, eBPF has emerged
as a promising solution, offering a programmable interface
within the kernel for high-performance packet processing.
This report explores recent works using eBPF to enhance
host network performance. We present the following three
frameworks leveraging eBPF for different purposes: (i) XDP
for efficient packet processing; (ii) Electrode for consensus
protocol offloading, and (iii) Syrup for user-defined scheduling.
We note that existing research efforts have primarily
focused on optimizing UDP traffic, largely neglecting TCP
traffic which is still dominant in many environments. Hence
this report concludes with a research proposal to further
explore and extend the capabilities of eBPF for enhancing
TCP performance in a fine-grained manner.
Background papers
1. The eXpress Data Path: Fast Programmable Packet Processing in the Operating System Kernel
2. Syrup: User-Defined Scheduling Across the Stack
3. Electrode: Accelerating Distributed Protocols with eBPF
Practical information
- General public
- Free