Master Thesis - Performance and virtualization

Background

Netnod is a small high-tech firm based in Sweden which provides services at the core of the Internet, such as Internet-exchange services, transmission, DNS-services, and time and frequency services. Netnod is at the forefront of secure and robust services.

Thesis description

At Netnod we mainly design security through diversity, that is by composing systems through many different nodes in many different levels so that there is no single point of failure. In terms of security our systems focus on providing availability and integrity, even in extreme scenarios.

However, sometimes we have to make hard decisions with regards to performance vs easy-of-use (such as virtualization and orchestration) in terms of technical implementation. In practical terms, what is the real world difference between running a network heavy application, such as NTS time servers, in a non-virtualized environment versus running it on an orchestrated kubernetes cluster?

NTS is a time distribution protocol involving both computational overhead (for TLS) and network throughput (for answering queries).

This thesis concerns digging into this issue, and if possible, suggest solutions. This thesis concerns both implementation and evaluation of implementations.

Qualifications

This thesis project is aimed at students in computer science and engineering with an interest in networks, virtualization and systems optimization.

Extent

Preferably two students, 30hp each

Practicalities

The students are expected to be partly present at the Netnod main office in Solna, Stockholm. The planned semester is spring of 2026.

Netnod will provide an on-site supervisor with relevant academic merits.

Netnod provides necessary equipment, reimbursement for travels, and a one time compensation upon completion of the thesis project.