Title
CumulusDB: Cloud-Native Database Systems and Unikernels -- Reimagining OS Abstractions for Modern Hardware

Authors
Christian Dietrich

Affiliation
TU Braunschweig

Abstract
In the evolving landscape of cloud-native database systems, the traditional separation between operating systems and database management systems presents limitations. This talks delves into the potential of unikernels, specialized kernels optimized for cloud environments, to bridge this divide. By integrating DBMS functionalities directly into the operating-system layer, we aim to eliminate unnecessary abstractions and overheads, fostering a more efficient, hardware-aware approach. The Cumulus project centers on the unique advantages of unikernels: reduced complexity, direct hardware access, and the omission of traditional OS overheads such as system call interfaces. By reimagining the interaction between the database systems and the hardware, we propose a model that challenges conventional multi-layered architectures. This talks explores the feasibility and advantages of such an integration, highlighting the potential for performance improvements and the development of new, more efficient abstractions. It is based on a a VLDB'24 Vision paper titled "Cloud-Native Database Systems and Unikernels: Reimagining OS Abstractions for Modern Hardware" by Viktor Leis (TUM) and Christian Dietrich (TU-BS).