Linux CPU Schedulers: CFS and MuQSS Comparison

Abstract: The goal of this thesis is to compare two process schedulers for the Linux operating system. In order to provide a responsive and interactive user experience, an efficient process scheduling algorithm is important. This thesis seeks to explain the potential performance differences by analysing the schedulers' respective designs. The two schedulers that are tested and compared are Con Kolivas's MuQSS and Linux's default scheduler, CFS. They are tested with respect to three main aspects: latency, turn-around time and interactivity. Latency is tested by using benchmarking software, the turn-around time by timing software compilation, and interactivity by measuring video frame drop percentages under various background loads. These tests are performed on a desktop PC running Linux OpenSUSE Leap 15.2, using kernel version 5.11.18. The test results show that CFS manages to keep a generally lower latency, while turn-around times differs little between the two. Running the turn-around time test's compilation using a single process gives MuQSS a small advantage, while dividing the compilation evenly among the available logical cores yields little difference. However, CFS clearly outperforms MuQSS in the interactivity test, where it manages to keep frame drop percentages considerably lower under each tested background load. As is apparent by the results, Linux's current default scheduler provides a more responsive and interactive experience within the testing conditions, than the alternative MuQSS. However, MuQSS's slightly superior performance using single process compilation may suggest that it is compatible with machines with a lower amount of logical cores.