Latency-first architecture
Built with GCC 16 and aggressive performance optimization for latency-sensitive kernel paths such as syscall entry/exit, scheduler, timer, networking, futex and softirq-related paths.
Linux 7.1.x · GCC 16 · latency-first kernel builds
Purpose-built Linux kernel packages for High Frequency Trading systems.
HFTKernel is a specialized Linux kernel build for Algorithmic Trading and High Frequency Trading infrastructure. It targets low tail latency, stable jitter, predictable isolated CPU behavior and reproducible A/B validation.
Signed download links expire after 24 hours. Commercial engagement includes official builds, validation, support and custom kernel consulting.
Product
HFTKernel in 12 technical points
HFTKernel is not a generic server kernel. It is a kernel foundation for systems where p99, p99.9, p99.99, isolated CPU cleanliness and network path control matter.
1000 Hz timer profile
Provides finer timer granularity for latency-sensitive event loops and controlled wakeup behavior.
Full tick isolation
Enables dedicated trading cores to run with less scheduler tick interference when the runtime CPU layout is configured correctly.
RCU callback offload
Moves RCU callback pressure away from trading cores and onto housekeeping CPUs.
Preemption-oriented profile
Targets lower scheduler latency and better responsiveness for latency-critical threads.
Network and TCP profile
Includes controlled TCP behavior such as BBR/fq and optional source-level TCP modifications.
MGLRU memory reclaim
Provides a modern reclaim profile for mixed trading workloads such as feed handling, logging, replay and monitoring.
Security-off profile
Disables or relaxes runtime hardening features that add latency overhead in controlled single-purpose trading infrastructure.
Debug-off production profile
Reduces debug artifacts and runtime complexity in performance-oriented builds.
RTLA tooling
Ships RTLA packages compatible with the exact kernel release for timer latency and OS noise analysis.
Release-specific tools
Provides tools packages matching the kernel release so turbostat and rtla layouts work without manual fixes.
Cloud and hardware variants
Cloud builds target AWS EC2 and ENA/ENA PTP; hardware builds target bare-metal NIC/storage/NUMA environments.
Operating system support
Supported target platforms
HFTKernel package delivery is prepared for current trading infrastructure environments. Custom build support is available when a firm requires a specific kernel baseline, distribution release, compiler profile or deployment process.
Ubuntu
- 20.04 LTS
- 22.04 LTS
- 24.04 LTS
- 26.04 LTS ready
Debian
- 11
- 12
- 13
Enterprise Linux
- RHEL 9 / 10
- AlmaLinux 9 / 10
- Rocky Linux 9 / 10
- CentOS Stream 9 / 10
Custom build support
- cloud-specific builds
- bare-metal builds
- firm-specific kernel profile
- private package delivery
Positioning
Differences from a standard server kernel
| Area | Standard server kernel | HFTKernel |
|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Generality, security, compatibility | Low latency and stable jitter |
| Compiler profile | System compiler and conservative distribution build policy | GCC 16 and aggressive performance build |
| Timer profile | Conservative distribution defaults | 1000 Hz latency profile |
| CPU isolation | Usually requires manual tuning | Designed for full isolation scenarios |
| RCU callbacks | May run on workload CPUs | Moved away from trading cores |
| Security mitigations | Usually enabled | Disabled or relaxed in the latency-first profile |
| ENA | Built in or distribution-managed | Modular with optional PTP/PHC package |
| TCP behavior | General-purpose TCP stack | BBR/fq and optional TCP modifications |
| Memory reclaim | General-purpose policy | MGLRU-enabled profile |
| RTLA | Usually not tied to custom kernel releases | Packaged for the exact HFTKernel release |
| Tools | Depends on distribution packages | Delivered for the kernel release |
| Packaging | Distribution-specific | DEB/RPM/TGZ for cloud and hardware variants |
Packages
Cloud and Hardware package sets
Package tables list the current release files. Submit the request form to receive one temporary 24-hour signed link for the selected platform and package format.
Cloud build for AWS EC2
Cloud package set for Ubuntu EC2 systems with modular ENA and optional ENA PTP/PHC support.
DEB
0 files
DEB for Ubuntu/Debian targets
- N/A
No current artifacts found in private storage for this format.
RPM
0 files
RPM for RPM-based targets
- N/A
No current artifacts found in private storage for this format.
TGZ
0 files
TGZ for manual or custom install flows
- N/A
No current artifacts found in private storage for this format.
Hardware build for bare-metal systems
Hardware package set for physical trading servers, generic hardware baselines, physical NICs, storage and colo environments.
DEB
0 files
DEB for Ubuntu/Debian targets
- N/A
No current artifacts found in private storage for this format.
RPM
0 files
RPM for RPM-based targets
- N/A
No current artifacts found in private storage for this format.
TGZ
0 files
TGZ for manual or custom install flows
- N/A
No current artifacts found in private storage for this format.
Validation
How we measure
HFTKernel is evaluated through reproducible A/B testing against the stock server kernel using the same instance, CPU layout, workload, measurement script and report format.
Application tail latency
p99, p99.9, p99.99 and maximum spikes from the real trading or feed-handling workload.
RTLA timer latency
Timer latency and OS noise on isolated cores using release-specific RTLA tooling.
Kernel path overhead
Syscall, futex wakeup and UDP/TCP loopback screening tests for kernel-path regressions.
Network cleanliness
ENA counters, drops, errors, softnet pressure, TCP retransmits, feed gaps and reconnects.
Consulting
Get a custom kernel build
Commercial consulting covers cloud and bare-metal builds, custom patch selection, compiler and CPU targeting, measurement design, deployment support, GRUB/initramfs workflows, ENA/PTP validation and A/B reporting.
Typical engagements
- Cloud HFTKernel build for AWS EC2
- Bare-metal build for colocated trading servers
- Custom patch and compiler profile
- Core isolation and IRQ layout review
- Before/after performance report
Audience
Built for trading infrastructure teams
Proprietary trading firms
Hedge funds
Crypto market makers
Low-latency infrastructure teams
Exchange connectivity teams
Cloud trading teams
Bare-metal colo teams
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
This FAQ is written for engineers, procurement teams, search engines and LLM-based discovery systems.
What is HFTKernel?
HFTKernel is a purpose-built Linux kernel build for Algorithmic Trading and High Frequency Trading systems. It is optimized for low tail latency, stable jitter, isolated CPU behavior, reproducible measurements and controlled network paths.
Is HFTKernel a general-purpose server kernel?
No. HFTKernel is a latency-first kernel foundation for trading infrastructure. It is not designed as a universal server kernel for generic web, database, storage or multi-tenant workloads.
What is the difference between the Cloud and Hardware builds?
The Cloud build targets AWS EC2 and includes an AWS baseline configuration, modular ENA and optional ENA PTP/PHC support. The Hardware build targets bare-metal systems and keeps physical NIC, storage, NUMA and colo deployment assumptions.
Which operating systems are supported?
HFTKernel package sets are prepared for Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, 24.04 and 26.04 readiness; Debian 11, 12 and 13; and RHEL, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux and CentOS Stream 9 and 10. Custom build support is available for firm-specific environments.
Which package formats are available?
HFTKernel is distributed as DEB, RPM and TGZ package sets. DEB is intended for Ubuntu and Debian-based targets, RPM for RPM-based systems, and TGZ for manual or custom deployment flows.
Why is the ENA driver modular in the Cloud build?
A modular ENA driver allows controlled driver replacement, ENA regression testing, and optional ENA PTP/PHC delivery without rebuilding the entire kernel.
Does HFTKernel include RTLA?
Yes. HFTKernel includes a release-specific RTLA package so timer latency and OS noise can be measured on the exact kernel release being tested.
Does HFTKernel prioritize security hardening?
No. HFTKernel uses a latency-first profile. Security-hardening features that add runtime overhead may be disabled or relaxed. It is intended for controlled, single-purpose infrastructure, not multi-tenant systems.
How should HFTKernel be evaluated?
Evaluate HFTKernel through A/B testing against the stock server kernel on the same machine or instance type. Use identical CPU layout, workload, measurement scripts and report format.
What metrics matter for trading workloads?
Important metrics include application p99, p99.9 and p99.99 latency, RTLA timerlat and osnoise, syscall latency, futex wakeup latency, IRQ leakage, softirq leakage, ENA drops, TCP retransmits, feed gaps and reconnects.
Does HFTKernel guarantee faster trading performance?
No kernel can guarantee performance for every workload. HFTKernel provides a controlled latency-first foundation. Final advantage depends on application architecture, CPU pinning, IRQ affinity, NIC queues, NUMA locality, time sync and network conditions.
Can HFTKernel be customized for a specific firm?
Yes. Paid consulting covers custom kernel builds, platform-specific profiles, compiler and CPU targeting, cloud or bare-metal validation, measurement design and deployment support.
How do temporary download links work?
After the contact form is submitted, the system creates a 24-hour token with a random 24-character identifier in the URL. Package files remain in private storage and are served only after PHP token validation through Nginx X-Accel-Redirect. No hardlinks or public copies are created.
What does the commercial subscription cover?
The commercial subscription covers official builds, validation, delivery, update access, support and consulting. GPL-licensed kernel components remain subject to their applicable open-source licenses.
Can HFTKernel be installed on Ubuntu 22.04 and Ubuntu 24.04?
Yes, the DEB package set is designed for Ubuntu-based targets. The kernel image, headers, tools and RTLA packages should be installed explicitly; linux-libc-dev is generally a development artifact and should not be installed on production hosts unless needed.
Licensing
Open-source compliance and commercial access
HFTKernel contains GPL-licensed Linux kernel components. Nothing in HFTKernel commercial terms restricts rights granted under applicable open-source licenses. The commercial subscription covers official signed builds, validation, delivery, support, update access, custom engineering and consulting.
Request access
Get a signed 24-hour download link or request a consultation.
Tell us which platform and package format you want. We will email a temporary signed link and route technical requests to the HFTKernel engineering team.
Download link format:
https://downloads.hftkernel.com/xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx/cloud/deb/
Supported environments:
Ubuntu, Debian, Enterprise Linux and custom cloud or bare-metal builds. Use the message field for instance type, NIC model, exchange connectivity and latency goals.