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Writer's pictureamit srivastava

Practical Applications of eBPF in Observability and Monitoring



Originally published on LinkedIn on November 10, 2024 by Amit Srivastava https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/practical-applications-ebpf-observability-monitoring-amit-srivastava-19hzc


In my last article, I mentioned what is keeping me awake; excitement and possibilities with eBPF. More I learn and experiment, more it gets clearer that eBPF will lead the path of observability going forward. 

Don't get me wrong, I am not against the traditional method of collecting the performance data through the application space programs, and they will continue to have applicability, I just think that in most cases eBPF will simplify the overall process and ease the SREs a lot. 

Here, today I am going to detail a few practice applications of eBPF in Observability and Monitoring:

 1. Systems & Application Performance Monitoring

eBPF allows teams to monitor CPU, memory, and I/O metrics at the kernel level, providing deep insights into how applications interact with the operating system. This is particularly useful for identifying and diagnosing performance bottlenecks, such as CPU spikes, memory leaks, and inefficient system calls.

 2. Network Monitoring and Security

Originally designed for packet filtering, eBPF can capture detailed information about network traffic, latency, and bandwidth usage. By analyzing packet flow, teams can pinpoint network slowdowns, detect anomalies, and improve security postures through behavior analysis of network traffic. This probably is the biggest advantage to SREs who can have not only applications ad systems, but also network and security view, together.

 3. Application-Level Tracing

With eBPF, developers can trace application requests across system calls and kernel functions without altering application code. This is invaluable for pinpointing issues in distributed systems, observing latency across microservices, and understanding the real-time performance of application components.

 4. Security Auditing and Anomaly Detection

eBPF’s deep access to kernel events enables real-time monitoring for unusual activity, such as unauthorized access attempts, privilege escalations, and suspicious processes. This capability helps identify potential security threats before they escalate.


While eBPF offers remarkable capabilities, it’s essential to apply it judiciously in production environments to avoid unintended risks and performance impacts. Here are a few key considerations:

• Overhead in High-Frequency Monitoring

Although eBPF is low-overhead, capturing large volumes of high-frequency data (e.g., every packet or system call) can still add noticeable load on the kernel. To avoid this, it’s best to optimize monitoring frequency and focus only on essential metrics.

• Complexity and Learning Curve

eBPF requires knowledge of kernel internals, Linux system calls, and sometimes even custom code to set up effective monitoring. Teams should allocate time to learn and experiment with eBPF in non-production environments before deploying it live.

• Compatibility and Kernel Dependencies

eBPF relies on specific kernel versions and features, which may not be fully supported across all environments. Ensuring compatibility with your current kernel version and understanding any limitations is critical before deploying eBPF-based monitoring.

• Security and Compliance Concerns

While eBPF programs are safe in their execution, their ability to access deep system data may raise compliance or data privacy issues. Organizations should carefully manage eBPF permissions and data retention policies to ensure they align with compliance requirements.


My take on embracing eBPF for Observability Success

eBPF is reshaping observability and monitoring by providing unprecedented insights into system performance with minimal interference. It empowers teams to capture real-time data across complex environments, making it a highly valuable addition to the toolkit of any DevOps or SRE team.

However, like any powerful tool, eBPF should be wielded with care. By understanding both its potential and its pitfalls, organizations can unlock the full value of eBPF and transform their ability to monitor, secure, and optimize modern infrastructure effectively.

 As you explore eBPF in your observability strategy, keep these technical tips and best practices in mind to realize its full potential—securely, efficiently, and sustainably.

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