New Linux tech compresses memory in RAM, as RAM, for 452x speedup — new CRAM method offers giant boost to compressed memory reads
Summary
Tom's Hardware reports on a new memory-compression technique called CRAM that operates entirely in RAM to boost read performance, claiming up to 452x speedups over traditional ZRAM in read-heavy scenarios. The approach uses a private NUMA node to maintain Linux memory semantics while avoiding swap, but several challenges remain, including handling writes and determining available logical RAM when data is compressed. The article positions CRAM as a promising path for high-performance Linux servers, with ongoing questions about kernel integration and real-world viability.