A deep dive into Linux Networking

This session will explain how a packet flows in/out of a Linux system. It will explain the fundamentals of how NICs work in Linux and how packets are recieved starting at the packet buffers in the kernel space and ending at the user's application running in the userspace. It will explain how IRQ handlers, poll list and softIRQs work and the roles of DMA engines in the NICs.

The session provides a comprehensive view on the networking on a Linux system and how the network stack is engaged. It will also touch base briefly on pass-through techniques and VFIO driver and the challanges related to small packets. The session aims to assist Linux users and engineers on gaining indepth knowledge of Linux networking and what different options exist for improving performance.