Kernel Bypass Networking
Kernel bypass networking is a technique that allows an application to communicate directly with the network interface card, bypassing the operating system's standard network stack. In a traditional environment, the OS kernel processes incoming and outgoing network packets, which introduces significant latency and CPU overhead.
By bypassing the kernel, trading applications can achieve much faster data transmission and reception, essential for high-frequency trading where microseconds are critical. This approach requires specialized network interface cards and software libraries designed for direct hardware access.
It enables the system to handle a higher volume of messages with lower latency and more consistent performance. Kernel bypass is a key component of building ultra-low latency trading systems.