The Linux kernel is a free open-source multitasking OS. The kernel developer, Daniel Borkmann, cocreated eBPF with Alexei Starovoitov. The motive was to improve the kernel's functionality in the microservices field. eBPF can extend the kernel's capabilities without changing kernel source code or loading modules.

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Summary

The Linux kernel is a free open-source multitasking OS. The kernel developer, Daniel Borkmann, cocreated eBPF with Alexei Starovoitov. The motive was to improve the kernel’s functionality in the microservices field. eBPF can safely and efficiently extend the kernel’s capabilities without changing kernel source code or loading kernel modules.

An overview of the history and development of eBPF

Initially, the Linux kernel was an ideal platform for enforcing networking functionality, observability, and security, since the kernel has privileged abilities to oversee and control the entire system. However, evolving an OS kernel is challenging as it possesses a central role and requires security and stability. Therefore, the innovation rate for the OS is typically lower than the functions outside the OS.

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