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Linux Task Scheduling and Context Switching in the Age of Multi-Core CPUs and GPUs
Introduction
Modern computing has undergone a rapid transformation over the past two decades, moving from single-core CPUs to massively parallel, multi-core systems and heterogeneous computing environments that integrate GPUs, AI accelerators, and other specialized processors. Linux, as one of the most widely used operating systems in servers, embedded systems, mobile devices, and desktops, has adapted to these changes through continuous evolution of its task scheduling and context switching mechanisms.
However, despite this evolution, Linux still faces challenges in keeping up with the demands of modern hardware. In particular, the scalability of its scheduler on multi-core CPUs, the inefficiency of context switching in complex systems, and the lack of native support for heterogeneous scheduling between CPUs and GPUs reveal architectural tensions. These issues have significant implications for system performance, energy efficiency, and real-time guarantees.
This article explores how Linux’s core task scheduling and context switching mechanisms operate, the challenges they face on modern multi-core and heterogeneous systems, and the efforts being made to overcome these limitations.
