September 3rd, 2024

Linux Network Performance Optimization: Tips for Optimizing Network Latency

Optimizing network performance in Linux involves using eBPF and XDP for efficient packet processing, adjusting MTU and TCP settings, and utilizing tools like irqbalance and ethtool to enhance throughput and reduce latency.

Read original articleLink Icon
Linux Network Performance Optimization: Tips for Optimizing Network Latency

Optimizing network performance in Linux is crucial for enhancing throughput and reducing latency without incurring hardware costs. Key strategies include utilizing advanced technologies like eBPF and XDP, which facilitate efficient packet processing directly on the network interface card (NIC). Adjusting the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) can minimize fragmentation, while tuning parameters such as transmit queue length, TCP congestion control, and buffer sizes can significantly improve data flow. Implementing TCP Fast Open can expedite connection establishment, and adjusting TCP timeout settings can help manage resources effectively. Tools like irqbalance and ethtool can optimize CPU usage and network interface settings, respectively. Additionally, busy polling can enhance performance by reducing latency. These optimizations are essential for maintaining high performance in modern networked environments, ensuring that applications run smoothly and efficiently.

- Optimizing Linux network performance can be achieved without hardware upgrades.

- Technologies like eBPF and XDP enhance packet processing efficiency.

- Adjusting MTU and TCP settings can significantly improve throughput and reduce latency.

- Tools like irqbalance and ethtool are useful for managing network performance.

- Implementing TCP Fast Open can reduce connection establishment time.

Related

Four lines of code it was four lines of code

Four lines of code it was four lines of code

The programmer resolved a CPU utilization issue by removing unnecessary Unix domain socket code from a TCP and TLS service handler. This debugging process emphasized meticulous code review and system interaction understanding.

Meta Sees ~5% Performance Gains to Optimizing the Linux Kernel with Bolt

Meta Sees ~5% Performance Gains to Optimizing the Linux Kernel with Bolt

Facebook's Meta uses BOLT to enhance Linux kernel layout, yielding 5% performance boost. Benefits vary based on kernel usage, with tasks like databases and networks benefiting most. Engineer Maksim Panchenko shares optimization guide.

Beyond bufferbloat: End-to-end congestion control cannot avoid latency spikes

Beyond bufferbloat: End-to-end congestion control cannot avoid latency spikes

End-to-end congestion control methods like TCP and QUIC face challenges in preventing latency spikes, especially in dynamic networks like Wi-Fi and 5G. Suggestions include anticipating capacity changes and prioritizing latency-sensitive traffic for a reliable low-latency internet.

Unleashing 100 Mpps with Fd.io VPP on GCP x86

Unleashing 100 Mpps with Fd.io VPP on GCP x86

The article explores high-performance networking on Google Cloud Platform with DPDK, gVNIC, and FD.io VPP. It discusses the evolution of network technologies, NFV, DPDK's impact, and system requirements for efficient packet processing.

Essential Linux Commands for Setting, Monitoring and Troubleshooting Networks

Essential Linux Commands for Setting, Monitoring and Troubleshooting Networks

Linux command line tools are vital for network setup and troubleshooting. Key commands include `ping`, `ip`, `tcpdump`, and `nmcli`, which enhance network management and facilitate communication with ISPs.

Link Icon 1 comments
By @LinuxBender - 3 months
Much of this is outdated and wrong. Some of it can not even be done on modern kernels. If nothing else please do not apply the advise given on tcp_rmem defaults. Also do not set large MTU on home internet facing connections as this will break many internet facing connections. Same for tcp fastopen, as this is handled by QUIC and not meant to be set on all tcp connections as the security around this was intended for use in the datacenter. The low fin timeout should only be applied on busy web servers that are not behind load balancers and only if those involved know what they are doing. The limit output bytes is also intended for web servers using http/2.0 and should not be set universally. Window scaling should already be enabled on nearly all kernels in use today. The 16MB initial window size will certainly break connections to some load balancers, middle boxes and some security focused firewalls. There is another setting that should already be on that negates some of this thankfully. Someone will test this and say it works fine from their workstation to some VM or server but the internet is much more diverse than that.

I am not going into details on all of this as it would at best turn into a massive blog. For most people the defaults should suffice and for others that need to improve latency they should learn not only what each setting does but how they play together which also involves learning a great deal about real world implementations of TCP/IP. For those that love to tune things, myself included, tune one thing at a time and give it a month or two to soak whilst you test communication to every possible thing. Don't just use tools like iperf, nuttcp and other benchmarking tools. They will deceive even the smartest people as they do not mimic the real internet. Behaviors change dramatically as latency, network appliances, load characteristics, packet loss, packet reordering and other things get in the way. If going down the path of tweaking things, first get very comfortable with tcpdump and Wireshark.