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Lowering Latency in Linux: Introducing a Preemptible Kernel

Issue 97

From Issue #97
May 2002

May 01, 2002  By Robert Love
 in
Whether you seek higher scores in Quake, are an audio enthusiast or want a smoother desktop, lowering latency in the kernel is an important goal.
Conclusion

The Linux community is large and diverse, and Linux is used in embedded systems all the way through large servers. Preemptive kernel technology provides benefits beyond real-time applications. Desktop users, gamers and multimedia developers alike stand to benefit from reduced latency. A solution is needed for both the 2.4 and 2.5 kernel trees; perhaps the same solution for each is not best. With 2.5 under development, however, now is the time to implement a feature that provides an immediate gain, as well as the framework for further improvement. The result will be a better kernel.

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Robert Love (rml@tech9.net) is a Mathematics and Computer Science student at the University of Florida. When not hacking Linux, Robert enjoys auto racing, Thai food and punk rock.

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AH! I get it now.

Wo_Dao's picture
Submitted by Wo_Dao (not verified) on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 01:53.

Hmm, this explains why some distros are slow or fast. Lunar Linux allows a Preemptiblle kernel. And it's just lightning fast without any bloat. Hmm, put this option with other distros...and perhaps...*ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM*

Just a rambling thought...anyways, this article comes in handy while deciding on kernel configuration in the unix console.. :p Keep it around!!

Thanks

Manjunath MB's picture
Submitted by Manjunath MB (not verified) on Fri, 02/02/2007 - 02:49.

Thanks Robert,
nicely explained...

spinlocks in preemptible kernel

San's picture
Submitted by San (not verified) on Wed, 07/12/2006 - 23:18.

Hi,

The information here is very helpful. thanks.

I have one question.

What is the effect of having kmalloc calls in the code that is protected with spinlock in a preemptible kernel.
rgds
sangeeta

kernel preemption

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/15/2005 - 18:38.

Excellent article, explains well. So that's where all kernel preemption stuff in 2.6 come from!

One question I always had was when the process is in kernel execution path (system call execution), doesn't scheduler_tick decrement its timeslice, and if it does when the timeslice is over, doesn't the scheduler preempts the current process, even though it might be in the middle of the kernel exec path?

Re: Lowering Latency in Linux: Introducing a Preemptible Kernel

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/11/2004 - 02:00.

It's helpful for me to understand the preemptive kernel.
Thanks.

MF

Seminar on your topic

Pavan Boob's picture
Submitted by Pavan Boob (not verified) on Fri, 09/09/2005 - 04:25.

Hi,
I am studying in final year of computer engg at MIT .
I read your extract and you will be glad to know that I have taken the same topic for a technical seminar at our college.I thereby request you to please send me some more technical details and direct me to some inportant links
waiting for your positive reply.
Regards,
Pavan

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