Researchers claim Linux kernel tweak could reduce data center energy use by 30%
Linux tweak to reduce data center energy by 30% worldwide.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo, led by Professor Martin Karsten and Peter Cai, have introduced a modification in the Linux kernel to optimize energy efficiency in data centers. This involves altering the Linux networking stack to improve performance and energy efficiency, offering throughput enhancements of up to 45% without increasing tail latency.
The kernel modification, developed in collaboration with Joe Damato from Fastly, involves just 30 lines of code and employs IRQ suspension to balance CPU power usage. This strategy reduces unnecessary CPU interruptions, particularly during high traffic periods, thereby enhancing network performance and potentially cutting energy consumption by up to 30% in data centers worldwide.
The code has been integrated into Linux kernel version 6.13, heralding opportunities for adoption across the tech industry. Implementing this method could significantly impact energy savings, as large tech corporations like Amazon, Google, and Meta rely heavily on Linux, making this advancement particularly timely amid rising electricity demands for data centers.