Benchmarking Low Latency Kernel and Xenomai for A Network Gateway Encryption Application

Abstract

In past years, development of Real Time Operating System (RTOS) has been growing rapidly. What makes RTOS different with General Purpose Operating System (GPOS) is its ability to interrupt and take over CPU instantly using a high priority task. While GPOS focuses on promotes fairness and high throughput. Every RTOS has different characteristics. We need data to decide which RTOS most suitable to support network application with set of its characteristics. To gather this data, we compare performance of two free and open source RTOS: Low Latency Kernel and Xenomai for processing a real time application. RTOS performance assessed through performance of a network gateway encryption application. There are three metrics used for performance measurements; processing time, jitter, and throughput. Test result shows that in overload condition, low latency kernel is able to perform better than Xenomai by delivering higher throughput and more predictable processing time. In low load condition, Xenomai is able to process packet faster than low latency kernel.