https://nalar.dev/tags/interrupts/ Recent content in Interrupts on Nalar Hugo en-us Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700 https://nalar.dev/nic-interrupt-coalescing-trades-cpu-overhead-for-packet-latency/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700 https://nalar.dev/nic-interrupt-coalescing-trades-cpu-overhead-for-packet-latency/ <p>A network interface can receive packets faster than a CPU should service one hardware interrupt per packet. Interrupt coalescing addresses that mismatch by allowing the adapter to group completion notifications and interrupt the CPU less often.</p> <p>The tradeoff is explicit. Fewer interrupts reduce interrupt handling and scheduling pressure, but a packet may wait longer before software is told that receive work is ready. The best setting depends on packet rate, latency targets, CPU capacity, and the adapter&rsquo;s coalescing controls.</p>