├── Cargo.toml ├── Dockerfile ├── LICENSE ├── Makefile ├── README.md ├── benchmark ├── Dockerfile ├── README.md ├── benchmark.py └── ebpf_program.rs ├── build.rs ├── ebpf └── function.bpf.c ├── entrypoint.sh └── src ├── helper.c ├── helper.h ├── loader.rs └── main.rs /Cargo.toml: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | [package] 2 | name = "kernel-faas" 3 | version = "0.1.0" 4 | edition = "2021" 5 | 6 | [dependencies] 7 | libc = "0.2" 8 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /Dockerfile: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | FROM debian:latest 2 | 3 | RUN apt update && apt install -y \ 4 | clang llvm libelf-dev libbpf-dev \ 5 | gcc-multilib make cargo \ 6 | && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/* 7 | 8 | WORKDIR /app 9 | 10 | COPY . . 11 | 12 | RUN make build 13 | 14 | ENTRYPOINT ["/bin/bash", "/app/entrypoint.sh"] 15 | 16 | # docker build -t kernelfaas . 17 | 18 | # docker run --rm --privileged -v /sys/fs/bpf:/sys/fs/bpf -v /lib/modules:/lib/modules kernelfaas 19 | 20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /LICENSE: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | Apache License 2 | Version 2.0, January 2004 3 | http://www.apache.org/licenses/ 4 | 5 | TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE, REPRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION 6 | 7 | 1. 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We also recommend that a 185 | file or class name and description of purpose be included on the 186 | same "printed page" as the copyright notice for easier 187 | identification within third-party archives. 188 | 189 | Copyright [yyyy] [name of copyright owner] 190 | 191 | Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); 192 | you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. 193 | You may obtain a copy of the License at 194 | 195 | http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 196 | 197 | Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software 198 | distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, 199 | WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. 200 | See the License for the specific language governing permissions and 201 | limitations under the License. 202 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /Makefile: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | CC = clang 2 | RUSTC = cargo 3 | 4 | all: build 5 | 6 | build: 7 | $(CC) -O2 -Wall -shared -o target/release/helper.so src/helper.c -lbpf 8 | $(RUSTC) build --release 9 | 10 | clean: 11 | rm -rf target/ 12 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /README.md: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | # **KernelFaaS** 2 | 3 | Blog: https://kiiocity.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/breaking-serverless-limits-running-functions-directly-in-the-kernel-with-ebpf/ 4 | 5 | KernelFaaS is a high-performance serverless execution layer that runs functions directly inside the Linux kernel using eBPF. Traditional serverless platforms like AWS Lambda introduce delays due to cold starts, virtualization, and user-space overhead. KernelFaaS eliminates these bottlenecks by executing functions at the kernel level, reducing execution time to microseconds. 6 | 7 | This approach is useful for applications that require near-instant response times, such as high-frequency trading, real-time fraud detection, and cybersecurity threat mitigation. 8 | 9 | ## **How It Works** 10 | 11 | Instead of running functions on top of the operating system, KernelFaaS allows functions to be safely executed inside the Linux kernel. This removes the need for context switching and significantly reduces latency. The system ensures stability and security with built-in execution limits, resource isolation, and observability tools. 12 | 13 | ## **Installation** 14 | 15 | ### **Prerequisites** 16 | 17 | - Linux with eBPF support (Kernel 5.4+ recommended) 18 | - Docker (optional, for containerized deployment) 19 | - Rust (for building the CLI) 20 | - Clang & LLVM (for compiling eBPF programs) 21 | 22 | ### **Manual Installation** 23 | 24 | 1. Clone the repository: 25 | ```sh 26 | git clone https://github.com/Kiinitix/KernelFaaS 27 | cd KernelFaaS 28 | ``` 29 | 30 | 2. Install dependencies: 31 | ```sh 32 | sudo apt update && sudo apt install clang llvm libelf-dev libbpf-dev build-essential -y 33 | ``` 34 | 35 | 3. Build the project: 36 | ```sh 37 | cargo build --release 38 | ``` 39 | 40 | 4. Run the CLI: 41 | ```sh 42 | ./target/release/KernelFaaS run --function example.ebpf 43 | ``` 44 | 45 | ### **Docker Installation** 46 | 47 | 1. Install Docker: 48 | ```sh 49 | curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh 50 | sudo usermod -aG docker $USER 51 | ``` 52 | 53 | 2. Build and run the container: 54 | ```sh 55 | docker build -t KernelFaaS . 56 | docker run --privileged --rm KernelFaaS 57 | ``` 58 | 59 | The `--privileged` flag is required because eBPF interacts with the kernel. 60 | 61 | ## **Why KernelFaaS?** 62 | 63 | Existing serverless platforms rely on user-space execution, which introduces unnecessary delays. KernelFaaS takes advantage of eBPF’s ability to run in the kernel safely, making real-time computing more efficient without compromising security. 64 | 65 | Feel free to open issues or contribute by submitting pull requests! 66 | 67 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /benchmark/Dockerfile: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | FROM rust:latest 2 | 3 | RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y python3 python3-pip clang llvm libbpf-dev 4 | 5 | WORKDIR /app 6 | 7 | COPY . . 8 | 9 | RUN cargo build --release 10 | 11 | CMD ["python3", "benchmark.py"] 12 | 13 | 14 | # docker build -t ebpf-benchmark . 15 | # docker run --privileged ebpf-benchmark 16 | 17 | 18 | # sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y clang llvm libbpf-dev python3 python3-pip 19 | # cargo build --release 20 | # python3 benchmark.py 21 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /benchmark/README.md: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | # eBPF Benchmark: User-Space vs. Kernel-Space Execution 2 | 3 | ## Overview 4 | This project compares the execution speed of running a function in **user space** vs. running the same function in **kernel space using eBPF**. It demonstrates how **eBPF eliminates user-space overhead** and significantly speeds up function execution inside the Linux kernel. 5 | 6 | ### Why Does This Matter? 7 | Traditional function execution involves user-space transitions and system call overhead, which slow things down. With **eBPF**, we can execute lightweight functions inside the kernel, avoiding unnecessary context switches and achieving near-zero latency. 8 | 9 | --- 10 | 11 | ## Getting Started 12 | 13 | ### Option 1: Run with Docker (Recommended) 14 | This is the easiest way to run the benchmark without installing dependencies. 15 | 16 | ```bash 17 | # Clone the repository 18 | git clone https://github.com/Kiinitix/KernelFaaS 19 | cd KernelFaaS/benchmark 20 | 21 | # Build and run the Docker container 22 | docker build -t ebpf-benchmark . 23 | docker run --privileged ebpf-benchmark 24 | ``` 25 | 26 | --- 27 | 28 | ### Option 2: Run Manually (Without Docker) 29 | If you prefer running the benchmark directly on your system, follow these steps: 30 | 31 | #### 1. Install Dependencies 32 | Ensure your system has the necessary tools: 33 | 34 | ```bash 35 | sudo apt update 36 | sudo apt install -y clang llvm libbpf-dev python3 python3-pip 37 | ``` 38 | 39 | #### 2. Build the eBPF Program 40 | Compile the Rust-based eBPF function: 41 | 42 | ```bash 43 | cargo build --release 44 | ``` 45 | 46 | #### 3. Run the Benchmark 47 | Execute the Python benchmarking script: 48 | 49 | ```bash 50 | python3 benchmark.py 51 | ``` 52 | 53 | --- 54 | 55 | ## Benchmark Results 56 | The script runs the same function **1,000,000 times** in both user space and kernel space (eBPF) and compares execution time. 57 | 58 | **Expected Output:** 59 | ```bash 60 | User-space execution time: 500.12 µs 61 | Kernel-space execution time (eBPF): 12.34 µs 62 | eBPF is 40.52x faster than user-space execution! 63 | ``` 64 | 65 | The exact numbers will vary based on hardware, but **eBPF execution should be significantly faster** than user-space execution. 66 | 67 | --- 68 | 69 | ## Real-World Applications 70 | This method can be applied in various high-performance computing scenarios, including: 71 | - **High-Frequency Trading** – Execute strategies with near-instant speed. 72 | - **Real-Time Security Monitoring** – Detect system anomalies efficiently. 73 | - **Cloud Computing** – Reduce serverless function cold starts to zero. 74 | 75 | --- 76 | 77 | ## Contributing 78 | Feel free to open issues or contribute by submitting pull requests! 79 | 80 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /benchmark/benchmark.py: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | import time 2 | import subprocess 3 | 4 | def user_space_function(): 5 | a, b = 10, 20 6 | return a + b 7 | 8 | def benchmark_user_space(): 9 | start = time.time() 10 | for _ in range(1_000_000): 11 | user_space_function() 12 | end = time.time() 13 | return (end - start) * 1e6 14 | 15 | def benchmark_ebpf(): 16 | result = subprocess.run(["sudo", "./target/release/ebpf_program"], capture_output=True, text=True) 17 | return float(result.stdout.strip()) 18 | 19 | if __name__ == "__main__": 20 | print("Running benchmark...") 21 | 22 | user_time = benchmark_user_space() 23 | print(f"User-space execution time: {user_time:.2f} µs") 24 | 25 | ebpf_time = benchmark_ebpf() 26 | print(f"Kernel-space execution time (eBPF): {ebpf_time:.2f} µs") 27 | 28 | speedup = user_time / ebpf_time 29 | print(f"eBPF is {speedup:.2f}x faster than user-space execution!") 30 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /benchmark/ebpf_program.rs: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | use aya::programs::TracePoint; 2 | use aya::Bpf; 3 | use std::time::Instant; 4 | use std::fs; 5 | 6 | fn main() { 7 | let mut bpf = Bpf::load_file("ebpf_program.bpf.o").unwrap(); 8 | let prog: &mut TracePoint = bpf.program_mut("benchmark_ebpf").unwrap().try_into().unwrap(); 9 | prog.load().unwrap(); 10 | prog.attach("syscalls", "sys_enter_write").unwrap(); 11 | 12 | let start = Instant::now(); 13 | for _ in 0..1_000_000 { 14 | unsafe { libc::syscall(libc::SYS_gettid); } 15 | } 16 | let elapsed = start.elapsed().as_micros(); 17 | 18 | println!("{}", elapsed); 19 | } 20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /build.rs: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | use std::env; 2 | use std::path::PathBuf; 3 | use std::process::Command; 4 | 5 | fn main() { 6 | let out_dir = PathBuf::from(env::var("OUT_DIR").unwrap()); 7 | let bpf_target = out_dir.join("program.o"); 8 | 9 | let bpf_source = "../bpf/program.bpf.c"; 10 | 11 | let status = Command::new("clang") 12 | .args(&[ 13 | "-g", 14 | "-O2", 15 | "-target", 16 | "bpf", 17 | "-D__KERNEL__", 18 | "-D__BPF_TRACING__", 19 | "-I/usr/include/", 20 | "-I/usr/include/bpf/", 21 | "-c", 22 | bpf_source, 23 | "-o", 24 | ]) 25 | .arg(bpf_target.to_str().unwrap()) 26 | .status() 27 | .expect("Failed to compile eBPF program"); 28 | 29 | if !status.success() { 30 | panic!("eBPF compilation failed!"); 31 | } 32 | 33 | println!("cargo:rerun-if-changed={}", bpf_source); 34 | } 35 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /ebpf/function.bpf.c: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | #include 2 | #include 3 | #include 4 | 5 | SEC("tracepoint/syscalls/sys_enter_execve") 6 | int bpf_function(struct trace_event_raw_sys_enter *ctx) { 7 | int pid = bpf_get_current_pid_tgid() >> 32; 8 | bpf_printk("KernelFaaS: Function executed by PID %d\n", pid); 9 | 10 | struct task_struct *task = (struct task_struct *)bpf_get_current_task(); 11 | if (task->real_cred->uid.val != 0) { 12 | bpf_printk("KernelFaaS: Unauthorized user detected!\n"); 13 | return -1; 14 | } 15 | 16 | return 0; 17 | } 18 | 19 | char _license[] SEC("license") = "GPL"; 20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /entrypoint.sh: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | echo "Loading KernelFaaS eBPF function..." 2 | 3 | mount | grep /sys/fs/bpf > /dev/null || mount -t bpf bpf /sys/fs/bpf 4 | 5 | /app/target/release/kernel-faas /app/ebpf/function.bpf.o 6 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /src/helper.c: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | #include 2 | #include 3 | #include 4 | 5 | int load_ebpf_function(const char *path) { 6 | struct bpf_object *obj; 7 | int prog_fd; 8 | 9 | obj = bpf_object__open_file(path, NULL); 10 | if (!obj) { 11 | fprintf(stderr, "Failed to open eBPF object\n"); 12 | return -1; 13 | } 14 | 15 | if (bpf_object__load(obj)) { 16 | fprintf(stderr, "Failed to load eBPF program\n"); 17 | return -1; 18 | } 19 | 20 | prog_fd = bpf_program__fd(bpf_object__find_program_by_name(obj, "bpf_function")); 21 | if (prog_fd < 0) { 22 | fprintf(stderr, "Failed to attach eBPF program\n"); 23 | return -1; 24 | } 25 | 26 | printf("✅ eBPF function loaded successfully!\n"); 27 | return 0; 28 | } 29 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /src/helper.h: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | #ifndef HELPER_H 2 | #define HELPER_H 3 | 4 | int load_ebpf_function(const char *path); 5 | 6 | #endif 7 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /src/loader.rs: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | extern "C" { 2 | fn load_ebpf_function(path: *const i8) -> i32; 3 | } 4 | 5 | pub fn load_ebpf_program(path: &str) -> Result<(), String> { 6 | let c_path = std::ffi::CString::new(path).unwrap(); 7 | let result = unsafe { load_ebpf_function(c_path.as_ptr()) }; 8 | 9 | if result != 0 { 10 | return Err("Failed to load eBPF function".to_string()); 11 | } 12 | Ok(()) 13 | } 14 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /src/main.rs: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | mod loader; 2 | 3 | use std::env; 4 | 5 | fn main() { 6 | let args: Vec = env::args().collect(); 7 | 8 | if args.len() < 2 { 9 | eprintln!("Usage: kernel-faas "); 10 | std::process::exit(1); 11 | } 12 | 13 | let path = &args[1]; 14 | 15 | match loader::load_ebpf_program(path) { 16 | Ok(_) => println!("eBPF function executed successfully!"), 17 | Err(e) => eprintln!("Error: {}", e), 18 | } 19 | } 20 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------