Source URL: https://www.memorysafety.org/blog/rustls-performance-outperforms/
Source: Hacker News
Title: Rustls Outperforms OpenSSL and BoringSSL
Feedly Summary: Comments
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses the advancements in the Rustls TLS library, focusing on its performance and memory safety features, which are critical for secure communication in applications. Rustls aims to overcome the vulnerabilities associated with C-based TLS implementations, providing a robust alternative for production use.
Detailed Description:
The text centers on the ongoing investment and development of the Rustls TLS library by ISRG, highlighting several key aspects that make Rustls a significant player in the realm of secure communications:
– **Introduction to Rustls**:
– Rustls is described as a memory-safe implementation of TLS (Transport Layer Security) that prioritizes high performance.
– The library is designed for broad applicability with C APIs and FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) support, which enhances its usability in existing applications.
– **Performance Enhancements**:
– The update provides insights into the library’s performance benchmarks, including:
– **Handshake Performance**: Rustls excels in handshake operations, completing more handshakes per second compared to other libraries under similar conditions.
– **Throughput Performance**: Rustls also leads in throughput metrics, delivering higher data transfer rates (in megabytes per second).
– **Testing Methodology**:
– Comprehensive tests were conducted on a bare-metal system using an Intel Xeon processor, ensuring a fair assessment by eliminating network latency and system call overhead.
– **Features and Innovations**:
– In addition to its performance and memory safety:
– Rustls supports both C and Rust APIs.
– It incorporates post-quantum key exchange capabilities with plans for updated algorithms.
– It offers Encrypted Client Hello support, enhancing privacy during the initial stages of the handshake.
– **Collaboration and Support**:
– The text acknowledges contributions from the AWS team for cryptographic support and Intel for hardware optimizations. It also mentions various funders that have supported the development of Rustls.
Overall, Rustls emerges as a compelling alternative to traditional C-based TLS libraries, addressing the critical challenge of memory safety while maximizing performance. Its readiness for production use, coupled with its focus on modern cryptographic standards, positions it as a vital tool for developers and security professionals seeking robust and secure communications in their applications.