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Linux Gets Completely Fair Scheduler

Posted by kdawson on from the take-turns-now dept.

SchedFred writes "KernelTrap is reporting that CFS, Ingo Molnar's Completely Fair Scheduler, was just merged into the Linux kernel. The new CPU scheduler includes a pluggable framework that completely replaces Molnar's earlier O(1) scheduler, and is described to 'model an "ideal, precise multi-tasking CPU" on real hardware. CFS tries to run the task with the "gravest need" for more CPU time. So CFS always tries to split up CPU time between runnable tasks as close to "ideal multitasking hardware" as possible.' The new CPU scheduler should improve the desktop Linux experience, and will be part of the upcoming 2.6.23 kernel."

1 of 274 comments (clear)

  1. It's about that time of year again... by CoughDropAddict · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    Complete rewrite of scheduler, again? Check.

    Catchy new name? Check.

    Promises that it's much better than the last scheduler? Check.

    What, you're trying to tell me that complex heuristics to try to determine the "interactiveness" of processes wasn't the peak of scheduler technology?

    I eagerly await the next grand rewrite when something else comes up that they didn't think through. My bets are that it will be the interdependency of I/O scheduling and CPU scheduling: what good is giving a process the CPU if it's swapped out? The VM system is going to immediately try to swap it back in, and switch to another task when this happens, and if memory is short to begin with this will just thrash, thrash, thrash (I'm sure everyone has experienced this at one time or another).

    Can't wait for the "Completely Awesome Knows-About-I/O Scheduler."