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5x faster Edge Functions: V8 isolates to Firecracker MicroVMs

229 points · 106 comments · jbott

  1. torginus · · focus · HN ↗
    This is highly interesting considering AWS invented the MicroVMs for lambda, yet node on lambda is dog slow (both in latency and throughput). I can traumadump on request. I bet they could use some of this tech especially since their use cases are often not too dissimilar (auth validation, rule checking etc)
    1. tomnipotent · · focus · HN ↗
      > they could use some of this tech

      Firecracker is AWS tech, and was behind both Lambda & Fargate. I imagine it's all the enterprisey extras built on top that cause those issues.

      1. nderjung · · focus · HN ↗
        It is originally AWS, though we forked Firecracker ~4 years ago now and maintain an internal version with custom hypercalls (command-and-control from within the VM, POSIX-style fork, etc.) and a number of other features. We regularly pull patches and fixes from upstream Firecracker. You can read about the differences here:

        <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;unikraft.com&#x2F;blog&#x2F;unikraft-vs-firecracker" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;unikraft.com&#x2F;blog&#x2F;unikraft-vs-firecracker

        1. tomnipotent · · focus · HN ↗
          Weird time to advertise your product.
          1. fragmede · · focus · HN ↗
            When would you prefer they advertise? Seems entirely relevant.
            1. tomnipotent · · focus · HN ↗
              When they&#x27;re contributing to the conversation. It&#x27;s not relevant.
              1. fragmede · · focus · HN ↗
                How is it not relevant? In what way doesn&#x27;t it contribute?
                1. tomnipotent · · focus · HN ↗
                  It&#x27;s on you to prove it does. In what ways does it contribute?
                  1. ascorbic · · focus · HN ↗
                    It&#x27;s relevant because it&#x27;s about TFA! I&#x27;m assuming you didn&#x27;t read it: Netlify uses Unikraft MicroVMs
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