Network Buffer Allocation in the FreeBSD Operating System
Bosko Milekic · 2004
This paper outlines the current structure of network data buffers in FreeBSD and explains their allocator's initial implementation. The current common usage patterns of network data buffers are then examined along with usage statistics for a few of the allocator's key supporting API routines. Finally, the improvement of the allocation framework to better support Symmetric-Multi-Processor (SMP) systems in FreeBSD 5.x is outlined and an argument is made to extend the general purpose allocator to support some of the specifics of network data buffer allocations.