What is eBPF, and why does it matter for observability?

eBPF, or Extended Berkeley Packet Filter, is a transformative kernel technology that extends the capabilities of the original BPF, going beyond network packet filtering to provide extensive observability and performance monitoring within the Linux kernel. Introduced in Linux 4.x, eBPF allows developers to run sandboxed programs directly within the kernel without modifying its source code, enhancing efficiency, security, and granularity of control over system behavior. This innovation facilitates real-time data collection and analysis, making it invaluable for tasks like security monitoring, network management, and application performance monitoring. Despite its powerful capabilities, eBPF requires a deep understanding of kernel-level programming and has limitations, such as being restricted to newer Linux kernels and potential performance overhead. With its versatility and efficiency, eBPF is gaining traction in fields like system administration and cybersecurity, offering a unified framework for tracing processes and a more nuanced view into system operations.