A Power Saving Schema For The Linux Kernel Scheduler

An Intel engineer has proposed introducing a power saving schema for CFS, the Linux kernel's default scheduler. Code hasn't been presented yet, but there's lots of discussion about this topic to improve the power efficiency of the Linux kernel scheduler.

Alex Shi is interested in a power saving schema for the Completely Fair Scheduler (CFS) since at present tere is no power-saving consideration done within this default scheduler. Alex's proposal involves making assumptions that it's more efficient to let all CPUs/cores take on load to finish work early so they can get back to idling rather than just letting a few cores be busy as this should save power and lead to a better experience, implementing performance and power policies, balance task on the idlest CPU, and some other items.

Those interested in the lengthy power-saving proposal for the Linux kernel scheduler discussion can see this LKML.org thread for more details.