Network channels









...but the network stack can be done better

Van's idea: network channels
Minimize, consolidate in-kernel packet processing
Eliminate cache-unfriendly data structures
Push TCP handling close to application
Maybe even in user space
The ultimate end-to-end approach

Details: http://lwn.net/Articles/169961/

The Linux networking stack isn't broken. The people who take care of the stack know what they're doing & do good work. Based on all the measurements I'm aware of, Linux has the fastest & most complete stack of any OS.
-- Van Jacobson, January, 2006