The open-source Multikernel Linux version 7.0-mk2 has been officially released, allowing multiple Linux kernels to operate simultaneously on bare metal, eliminating the need for hypervisors or container services. This advancement aims to enhance performance significantly.
Cong Wang, founder and CEO of the Multikernel Project, shared this milestone on the Linux Kernel Mailing List. The design allows independent Linux kernels to run concurrently on a single machine, utilizing the host kernel’s pool of CPUs, memory, and PCI devices. This setup runs natively on dedicated hardware without requiring any form of emulation, ensuring that only necessary resources are shared.
The architecture employs a devicetree to define system instances, enabling dynamic allocation of memory and processing power without rebooting. This is particularly beneficial as it allows isolating resources for various applications, ensuring that each instance can operate independently. Every application can have its designated kernel, with intercommunication facilitated through virtual network cards and block devices.
The developers emphasize the goals of enhanced kernel isolation and speed optimizations. Unlike traditional container setups, which share a kernel and suffer from potential issues like kernel panic, Multikernel isolates each kernel, thus eliminating risks that one kernel could negatively impact another. Similarly, while virtual machines (VMs) provide isolation, they usually involve an additional overhead that Multikernel aims to avoid.
Performance metrics reported by Wang indicate that Multikernel operates significantly faster than virtualized kernels, achieving speed improvements ranging from 1.07 to 2.5 times faster in various tasks. However, memory bandwidth and latency remained consistent with traditional systems.
Multikernel is designed to maintain compatibility with existing Linux applications and system interfaces, ensuring that APIs and application binary interfaces remain intact. It is compatible with both cloud-based and on-premise infrastructures, making it a flexible solution for various deployment scenarios.
The initial release of Multikernel supports only the x86_64 architecture, and interested users can find it available as a GitHub project. A guide is offered to assist newcomers in navigating the architecture.
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