Unikernel Redux: in the age of containers

In this talk we shall learn about the concept of unikernels, with the promise of unparalleled security, minimal resource footprint, and lightning-fast boot times, yet, containers and full-blown linux VMs overwhelmingly won at deployment. Why?

Then we explore how unikernel services are deployed onto the cloud, how they helped conserve resources and why the inability to run parallel processes made it impossible to support certain popular real-world applications.

Finally, we ponder on what is new in the modern unikernel compile-chains, from building on top of mainline linux(UKL) to solving the "to fork() or not to fork()?" problem.

If the demo gods are pleased, we will see a rust application being built with the hermit libOS.

• Understand the term unikernel

• Figure out where to use them

• A brief overview of the options, hermit, unikraft, etc.

• Thoughts on the future of unikernels

• A demo to die for, that is if other things don't start to die :P