Kernel Bypass
Kernel bypass is a networking and I/O optimization technique that allows applications to directly access hardware resources, such as network interface cards (NICs), without involving the operating system kernel. This reduces latency and CPU overhead by eliminating context switches and kernel-space processing, enabling high-performance data transfer. It is commonly implemented through specialized libraries or drivers that provide user-space access to hardware.
Developers should learn and use kernel bypass in scenarios requiring ultra-low latency and high throughput, such as high-frequency trading, real-time analytics, telecommunications, and scientific computing. It is essential for applications where traditional kernel-based networking stacks introduce unacceptable delays or resource contention, allowing for deterministic performance and efficient resource utilization in data-intensive environments.