Proposed Design for Effectively Expand Adaptive-ticks Feature in the Linux Kernel to Full Tickless Function

Abstract

Operating systems use timers available in the processor to trigger timer interrupts that help the kernel manage several tasks, ranging from time management of system software to scheduling and task switching. Traditionally, operating systems program the system timer to tick at regular intervals ranging from 1 ms to 100 ms, depending on the required system response and type of load. The periodic tick timer is the simplest and most common way of managing the system’s management activities. However, advancements in microprocessors and operating system scheduler allows for a more efficient and better-performing solution by eliminating regular timer interrupts. In this research, we illustrate the implementation of Adaptive-ticks feature and analyze the performance of Adaptive-ticks scheduler in Linux kernel version 4.0.9. We also propose a new full Adaptive-ticks design to support multiple tasks in the ready queue. This new proposed design extends the current Adaptive-ticks feature to improve performance and power efficiency by getting rid of unwanted interrupts.