Systems Software Engineer Folkert de Vries from Tweede Golf discusses reimplementing NTP in Rust, benefits of Rust over Haskell and C++, bridging tech and business with Rust, enhancing internet security with open-source work, establishing project structure and preventing errors in Rust programming, architecture exploration, Tokyo ecosystem benefits, NTP synchronization with Rust, and focusing on compile time performance
Rust's memory safety benefits modernize NTP for secure synchronization on the internet.
Collaboration with ISRG showcases Rust's potential in updating critical legacy software.
Funding emphasis on secure code signals importance of modernizing infrastructure for reliability.
Deep dives
Modernizing Critical Infrastructure with Rust
Implementing the core logic in Rust, NTPDRS project offers a new NTP implementation focusing on secure and accurate time synchronization on the internet. With a thorough test suite and contributions to the Tokyo ecosystem, the project integrates Rust for improved security and performance.
Enhancing Protocols with Rust
Rust language's memory safety and performance advantages are explored beyond NTP, providing prospects for modernizing TLS, DNS, and image decoding domains. Collaborating with ISRG on critical projects shows Rust's potential in replacing outdated legacy software for enhanced security and reliability.
Acquiring Funding for Vital Projects
Navigating the process for project funding, including ISRG's and leveraging sovereign tech funds, the shift toward modernized implementations signals potential for impactful software upgrades. The focus on public benefit drives the importance of securing crucial infrastructure with safe code.
Role of Rust Community and Future Expansion
Advocating for improved compile time performance in Rust, the call to address compile time bottlenecks seeks to boost developer efficiency and productivity. Highlighting the upcoming Rust in the Netherlands Conference in May encourages Rust enthusiasts to engage in knowledge sharing and networking for community growth.
Message to Rust Community
Stressing the significance of optimizing compiler performance as a key focus area for enhanced developer experience and productivity, the message resonates with the need for collective efforts to address compile time challenges. Inviting participation in the Rustinelle Conference fosters community learning and collaboration.
The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a cornerstone of the internet. It provides accurate time synchronization on millions of devices, but its C-based implementation, which dates back to the 1980s, is showing its age. In this episode, we talk to Folkert de Vries, Systems Software Engineer at Tweede Golf, about their work on reimplementing NTP in Rust as part of Project Pendulum.
ntpd-rs is an open-source implementation of the Network Time Protocol, completely written in Rust with the goal of creating a modern, memory-safe implementation of the NTP protocol.
Tweede Golf is a Dutch software consultancy that specializes in safe and privacy-friendly software. They work on projects that are critical for creating a safe internet infrastructure, protecting citizens' privacy, and securing connected devices with Embedded Rust.
Tweede Golf is also an organizing partner of RustNL, a conference about the Rust programming language, which takes place in the Netherlands.
About Folkert de Vries
Folkert is a Systems Software Engineer at Tweede Golf, where he works on low-level protocols that ensure the safety and security of the internet and devices connected to it. He is an open source maintainer and polyglot, working with and extending languages as diverse as Rust, Elm, and Roc.