[Feature Request] Userspace networking (passt/slirp)
Author: aerosouundCreated Apr 7, 2026Updated Aug 26, 2026
LabelsStatus: Awaiting authorStatus: Parked
Feature Request
Allow firecracker to delegate VM networking to a userspace process. This can be highly beneficial in low privilege scenarios where CAP_NET_ADMIN is not available and makes VM config a lot faster (no iptables/nftables work required)
I would love to discuss any blockers you think might be present that may prevent this feature from being feasible
If there's not any, i'd be happy to work on a PR!
Describe possible alternatives
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Additional context
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Checks
- Have you searched the Firecracker Issues database for similar requests?
- Have you read all the existing relevant Firecracker documentation?
- Have you read and understood Firecracker's core tenets?
Source: firecracker-microvm/firecracker