# Meta Modernizes Ads Service with Open-Source Kernel Scheduler Meta enhances ad performance using an open-source kernel scheduler. - **Source:** [Engineering at Meta](https://brifing.si/source/28383801-e365-4f15-8f20-49d8c0635946) - **Published:** 2026-07-13 - **Topic:** [Software & Engineering](https://brifing.si/c/engineering) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f6b27e3e-14da-4b4d-b87b-c341a2e8e47d ## Introduction Meta is using an open-source kernel scheduler, sched_ext, to improve the performance of its ad services. This method ensures ads are delivered faster and more efficiently. ## Importance of Ads Latency Meta's ad servers handle over 5 million requests per second. Every millisecond reduction in latency makes ads more relevant and provides better ROI for advertisers. ## Role of sched_ext sched_ext is a BPF-based scheduler framework officially included in Linux kernel v6.12. Meta developed a custom scheduling policy tailored to its ad delivery workload using this framework. ## Custom Scheduling Policy sched_ext soft-partitions CPUs into two pools: one for latency-critical tasks and another for less latency-sensitive work. This keeps related tasks on the same CPUs, enhancing performance. ## Results and Impact Using sched_ext resulted in a 1.1% increase in ads ranked, 3.28 megawatts of power savings across the fleet, and a 28% reduction in ads retrieval path latency. ## Forward-Looking Developments Two subsequent scheduler policy updates delivered an additional 60% reduction in service p99 latency and an 18% reduction in timeout errors on the critical path. ## Strategic Asset What started as a solution to an operational issue has become a strategic asset for Meta, serving as a continuous optimization platform for ad delivery. ## Sources covering this story - https://engineering.fb.com/2026/07/13/ml-applications/modernizing-the-meta-ads-service-with-an-open-source-kernel-scheduler/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._