Linux-kernel mailing list archive 1998-42,: Performance Whitepapers on Linux Kernel - Call For Paper

# Performance Whitepapers on Linux Kernel - Call For Paper

Peter & Mag (petermag@singnet.com.sg)
Tue, 20 Oct 1998 22:25:36 +0800

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As Linux moves on into the Unix mainstream, we need to self-evaluate the
features of kernel that is so important where performance is concerned.

I have not seen any performance HOWTO for Linux Kernel yet, especially
one that is targetted to the Kernel developer, on how to write
performance enhancing source code. (The nearest similar HOWTO is the
Benchmarking Project,

http://sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/Benchmarking-HOWTO.html

which does not have any concrete details on tuning the various kernel
parameters for optimal performance either)

There may also be a need to critize the current architecture as
implemented in the Kernel. An world-class scale Unix requires the
ability to scale in terms of memory, nos of CPU, nos of processes, nos
of users, storage capacity, nos of files opened, and in the case of
video - the nos of video/network streams......many internal changes are
expected as scalability in each of these features is to be achieved.....

I therefore proposed that every one of us come together and contributes
ideas to go into a "Joint Whitepaper on Performance"....essential topics
I have identified so far (which I wish everyone will contribute
something) are:

a. Wishlist for High Performance features
b. Design for Memory Management, Differences in MM among Solaris, AIX
and HP-UX, Buffer Cache Design in Linux, Lock Management
c. FAQ on Kernel Development for High Performance
d. GCC compilation for High Performance
e. Design for CPU scalability
f. Design for Disk Management and Scalability
g. Design for Network Scalability

All these articles solicited should revolved around the topic of
scalability, robustness, and reliability.

The objective of this self-evaluation exercise is to identify what are
weakness points in the current kernel implementation and hopefully to
feedback to kernel implementors so as to create a more robust high
performance kernel.

The importance of the self-evaluatory exercise at this juncture is that
corrections and problems can be identify as early as possible, before
the Kernel implementations get too complex to maintain/debug easily.
And yes, one more topic:

h. Design for Ease of Maintenance - Scalability/Robustness

Peter Teoh

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