PulseNet

# PulseNet ### The Heartbeat of High-Performance Networking - Fabric Edition by BorisShoes **PulseNet** is a Fabric mod that brings high-performance packet batching to your Minecraft server. By replacing standard per-packet network flushes with intelligent batching, PulseNet reduces system call overhead and CPU usage while maintaining low-latency delivery of critical packets. [](https://pulsemc.dev) [](https://dsc.gg/Pulse-MC) ## Project Overview PulseNet is a Fabric mod that replaces Minecraft's default per-packet network flushing with a smart batching system. Outgoing packets are grouped and flushed together, drastically reducing kernel syscall overhead and event loop task scheduling while keeping combat, chat, and other latency-sensitive packets instant. Designed to work seamlessly alongside other Fabric mods via Mixin compatibility. --- ## Installation PulseNet is a server-side Fabric mod. Drop it into your `mods/` folder alongside Fabric API. **Requirements:** * [Fabric Loader](https://fabricmc.net/) 0.18.5+ * [Fabric API](https://modrinth.com/mod/fabric-api) * Minecraft 26.1+ * Java 25+ * Latest Builds: [https://modrinth.com/mod/pulsenet](https://modrinth.com/mod/pulsenet) --- ## Features | Feature | Description | | :--- | :--- | | **Smart Packet Batching** | Groups outgoing packets within a tick and flushes them in a single kernel syscall instead of one per packet. Supports three modes: `smart_execution`, `strict_tick`, and `interval`. | | **Write Queue** | Replaces per-packet event loop task submissions with a single batched write task, eliminating lambda allocations and cross-thread scheduling overhead. | | **Packet Coalescing** | Bundles similar low-priority packets (particles, sounds) into `BundlePacket`s, reducing the client's received packet count. | | **Explosion Optimization** | Detects mass block changes from explosions and replaces individual block update packets with a full chunk resend when a configurable threshold is exceeded. | | **Packet Classification** | Automatically classifies packets as Critical, Instant, Chat, Ignored, or Coalesce — ensuring latency-sensitive packets (keepalive, disconnect, combat) always bypass the buffer. Fabric infrastructure packets (`minecraft:register`, `minecraft:unregister`) are handled at the Connection level to prevent mod handshake failures. | | **Real-Time Metrics** | Built-in metrics system tracking logical/physical PPS, bandwidth, CPU usage, memory savings, and write queue efficiency. Viewable via commands or an in-game boss bar. | | **Mixin Compatibility** | Uses a `@WrapOperation` approach that runs *after* all other mixins (Polymer, server-side translations, etc.), ensuring full compatibility with the Fabric mod ecosystem. | | **Hot-Reloadable Config** | All settings are configurable via `pulse.properties` and in-game commands (`/pulse config`, `/pulse reload`) with no restart required. | --- ## Commands | Command | Description | |:-------------------------------------------|:--------------------------------------------------------| | `/pulse` | Displays the current PulseNet version. | | `/pulse reload` | Reloads the configuration from disk. | | `/pulse config` | View and modify all configuration settings in-game. | | `/pulse netstats [network\|cpu\|ram\|all]` | Displays real-time network, CPU, and memory statistics. | | `/pulse netstats bar` | Toggles the metrics boss bar overlay. | | `/pulse netstats reset` | Resets all metrics counters to zero. | | `/pulse packetNames` | Lists all observed packet class names and channel IDs. | | `/pulse packetNames classes` | Lists only observed packet class names. | | `/pulse packetNames channels` | Lists only observed custom payload channel IDs. | | `/pulse packetNames reset` | Clears the observed packet name lists. | ### Config Commands The following commands can be used to adjust configurable settings in the `pulse.properties` file without a server reboot (Use `/pulse reload` after running these commands to hotswap changes). These commands can be suffixed with a value to set the setting, or used without a value to view the current setting. * `/pulse config batchingEnabled` Master toggle for the smart packet batching system. When true, outgoing packets are buffered and flushed in batches instead of individually. (default: true) * `/pulse config batchingMode` Batching mode: smart_execution (flush on tick + limits), strict_tick (flush only on tick end), interval (flush on a timer). (default: smart_execution) * `/pulse config batchingMaxBatchSize` Maximum number of packets to buffer before forcing a flush. (default: 1024) * `/pulse config batchingMaxBatchBytes` Maximum bytes to buffer before forcing a flush. (default: 32000) * `/pulse config batchingFlushInterval` Interval in milliseconds for the INTERVAL batching mode. (default: 25) * `/pulse config batchingSafetyMarginBytes` Safety margin in bytes subtracted from the max batch bytes limit to prevent overflow. (default: 64) * `/pulse config batchingInstantPackets` List of packet class names that should flush the buffer immediately when sent. (default: ClientboundHurtAnimationPacket, ClientboundDamageEventPacket, ClientboundBlockEntityDataPacket) * `/pulse config batchingIgnoredPackets` List of packet class names that should always bypass the buffer entirely. (default: []) * `/pulse config batchingInstantChannels` List of plugin channel IDs (e.g. `axiom:hello`) whose custom payload packets should flush the buffer immediately when sent. Use `/pulse packetNames channels` to discover channel IDs. (default: []) * `/pulse config batchingIgnoredChannels` List of plugin channel IDs whose custom payload packets should always bypass the buffer entirely. Use `/pulse packetNames channels` to discover channel IDs. Note: `minecraft:register` and `minecraft:unregister` are handled at the Connection level and always bypass the buffer regardless of this list. (default: []) * `/pulse config batchingChatPacketsBypass` When true, chat-related packets bypass the buffer for instant delivery. (default: true) * `/pulse config batchingOffThreadBypass` When true, packets sent from off the server thread bypass the buffer. (default: true) * `/pulse config batchingWriteQueue` When true, buffered packets are queued and written in a single event loop task instead of calling Connection.send() per packet, eliminating per-packet lambda allocations and cross-thread task scheduling. (default: true) * `/pulse config batchingPacketCoalescing` When true, packets in the coalesce list are bundled together into BundlePackets on flush, reducing the client's received packet count. (default: true) * `/pulse config batchingCoalescePackets` List of packet class names to coalesce into BundlePackets (e.g. particles, sounds). Supports inner classes with dot syntax (Foo.Bar). (default: ClientboundLevelParticlesPacket, ClientboundSoundPacket, ClientboundSoundEntityPacket) * `/pulse config batchingCoalesceBundleLimit` Maximum number of sub-packets per BundlePacket. Vanilla client enforces a hard limit of 4096. (default: 4000) * `/pulse config optExplosionsEnabled` When true, block updates from explosions are grouped by chunk and replaced with full chunk resends if they exceed the threshold. (default: true) * `/pulse config optExplosionsBlockChangeThreshold` Number of block changes in a single chunk required to trigger a full chunk resend instead of individual updates. (default: 512) * `/pulse config optExplosionsLogOptimizations` When true, logs a message each time the explosion optimization replaces block updates with a chunk resend. (default: false) * `/pulse config metricsEnabled` When true, the metrics collection system is active and computes network statistics. (default: true) * `/pulse config metricsUpdateInterval` How often (in seconds) the metrics system recomputes derived statistics. (default: 1) * `/pulse config metricsModuleNetwork` Enables the network metrics module (PPS, bandwidth). (default: true) * `/pulse config metricsModuleCpu` Enables the CPU metrics module (process CPU usage estimation). (default: true) * `/pulse config metricsModuleMemory` Enables the memory metrics module (saved allocation estimation). (default: true) * `/pulse config metricsModuleWriteQueue` Enables the write queue metrics module (event loop task savings tracking). (default: true) --- ## Permission Nodes PulseNet uses the [Fabric Permissions API](https://github.com/lucko/fabric-permissions-api) for command permissions. Each node has a fallback vanilla permission level for servers without a permissions mod. ### General | Node | Default | Description | |:-----|:--------|:------------| | `pulsenet.pulse` | `ALL` | Access the `/pulse` base command (shows version) | | `pulsenet.reload` | `GAMEMASTERS` | Reload the PulseNet config file | | `pulsenet.netstats` | `GAMEMASTERS` | View network, CPU, and memory statistics | | `pulsenet.netstats.bar` | `GAMEMASTERS` | Toggle the metrics boss bar overlay | | `pulsenet.netstats.reset` | `GAMEMASTERS` | Reset all metrics counters to zero | | `pulsenet.packetnames` | `GAMEMASTERS` | List observed packet class names and channel IDs | ### Config Config commands are generated dynamically per config value. The `` below corresponds to the camelCase config key (e.g. `batchingEnabled`, `metricsUpdateInterval`). | Node | Default | Description | |:-----|:--------|:------------| | `pulsenet.config` | `GAMEMASTERS` | List all config values | | `pulsenet.config..get` | `GAMEMASTERS` | Read a specific config value | | `pulsenet.config..set` | `GAMEMASTERS` | Change a specific config value | --- ### Try My Other Mods! All server-side Fabric mods — no client installation required. | | Mod | Description | Links | |:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:|--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | **Arcana Novum** | Minecraft's biggest server-only full-feature Magic Mod! Adds powerful items, multiblocks and bosses! | [](https://github.com/borisshoes/ArcanaNovum/) [](https://modrinth.com/mod/arcana-novum) [](https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/arcana-novum) | | | **Ancestral Archetypes** | A highly configurable, Origins-style mod that lets players pick a mob to gain unique abilities! | [](https://github.com/borisshoes/AncestralArchetypes) [](https://modrinth.com/mod/ancestral-archetypes) [](https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/ancestral-archetypes) | | | **Ender Nexus** | Highly configurable /home, /spawn, /warp, /tpa and /rtp commands all in one, and individually disablable. | [](https://github.com/borisshoes/EnderNexus/) [](https://modrinth.com/mod/ender-nexus) [](https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/ender-nexus-fabric-teleports) | | | **Fabric Mail** | An in-game virtual mailbox system for sending packages and messages between online and offline players. | [](https://github.com/borisshoes/fabric-mail/) [](https://modrinth.com/mod/fabric-mail) [](https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/fabric-mail) | | | **Fabric Trade** | Adds /trade, a secure player-to-player trading interface. | [](https://github.com/borisshoes/fabric-trade/) [](https://modrinth.com/mod/fabric-trade) [](https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/fabric-trade) | | | **Limited AFK** | AFK detection and management with configurable kick thresholds for servers. | [](https://github.com/borisshoes/LimitedAFK/) [](https://modrinth.com/mod/limited-afk) [](https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/limited-afk) | | | **Links in Chat** | Makes URLs posted in chat clickable. | [](https://github.com/borisshoes/fabric-linksinchat/) [](https://modrinth.com/mod/links-in-chat) [](https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/links-in-chat) | --- ## Support and Contributions PulseNet is an open-source project by PulseMC. We welcome contributions regarding Netty, Mixin, and protocol-level optimizations. * Pulse Discord: [Join our community](https://dsc.gg/Pulse-MC) * Boris's Discord: [Boris's Modding Discord](https://discord.gg/dTKPeNEg6r) * Issues: [Report bugs on GitHub](https://github.com/Pulse-MC/PulseNet/issues) --- PulseNet: The Heartbeat of High-Performance Networking.