Java on CRaC: Superfast JVM Application Startup by Simon Ritter

One of the key benefits of a microservice architecture is the ability to dynamically respond to changes in load by spinning up new instances as required. However, when deploying JVM-based services, the warmup time of JIT compilation can be a limitation on the effectiveness of this technique. One approach to solving this problem is using native images, where the service is statically compiled using an ahead-of-time (AOT) compiler. Although this does reduce startup time and footprint, it does so at the cost of overall performance. A new project has been proposed and accepted into OpenJDK called CRaC (Coordinated Restore at Checkpoint). The goal is to research the co-ordination of Java programs with mechanisms to checkpoint (snapshot) a running application. Restoring from the snapshot could solve some of the problems with the startup and warmup times, especially in microservices. In this session, we’ll look at the main challenges for such a project, potential solutions and the results from a proof-of-concept implementation. SIMON RITTER Simon Ritter is the Deputy CTO of Azul Systems. Simon has been in the IT business since 1984 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Brunel University in the U.K. Simon joined Sun Microsystems in 1996 and started working with Java technology from JDK 1.0; he has spent time working in both Java development and consultancy. Having moved to Oracle as part of the Sun acquisition, he managed the Java Evangelism team for the core Java platform. Now at Azul, he continues to help people understand Java as well as Azul’s JVM technologies and products. Simon has twice been awarded Java Rockstar status at JavaOne and is a Java Champion. He represents Azul on the Java SE Expert Group, JCP Executive Committee, OpenJDK Vulnerability Group and Adoptium Steering Committee. ------------------------------------------------------------ INTRO * visuals & editing by @Mercator * music : Avocado by Ephixa