On limits of embedded systems in network packet processing

Abstract

The paper deals with a measurement of single-hop one way packet delay on embedded systems used for networking. The single-hop one way packet delay is essential parameter when we need to process packets with strict delivery time constrains. Comparison of different approaches to single-hop one way packet delay measurements is presented in this work along with discussion about strong and weak points in specific measurement approach. The impact of different types of system load and number of CPU cores are also covered by presented results. The presented results of measurement single-hop one way packet delay in embedded Linux system show that for the specific system configuration the packet processing delay depends (in different ways) on system load and network stack load.