Introduction Can We Virtualize Everything?

White Paper Consolidation of a Performance-Sensitive Application

Introduction — Can We

Virtualize Everything?

Virtualization of enterprise data center applications using hyper- visors or VMMs is taking a predictable path. It started with the consolidation of the simplest, least performance-sensitive, and least mission-critical applications, many of which had hardware utilization figures in the 10 percent or less range. These applica- tions were the “low-hanging fruit” of the first wave of applica- tion virtualization, and consolidation ratios were quite high while still delivering adequate performance. This consolidation wave delivered a significantly positive ROI to the organizations. IT organizations would like to have the benefits of virtualization across the entire spectrum of applications, but there are challenges to delivering on this potential.

“Non-virtualizable” applications

Not all enterprise applications fit the description above, of course. There are more complex, high-performance, and mission-critical applications, too. Many of these applications are very demand- ing of the hardware resources in state-of-the-art servers; there- fore we expect that it would be more difficult to virtualize them while retaining adequate performance. Examples of some of the generic types of applications that don’t fit the “low-hang- ing fruit” description are those characterized by the following characteristics:

•Mission critical

•Transaction latency sensitive

•Cpu intensive: single thread vs. multi-thread

•Memory intensive: size/throughput/latency

•I/o intensive: disk/network; throughput/latency

From our experiences with virtualization we know there are certain overheads involved with delivering the value that a VMM/hypervisor provides. These overheads can impact all the characteristics noted above. This leads to the perception that these types of applications “can’t be virtualized” because the tradeoffs would be too severe. Is this a perception or reality?

ESL

Electronic Sports League (ESL) is the largest online gaming community in Europe, with more than 844,000 active users as of August 12, 2008.

ESL has deployed thousands of game servers to provide services to its members. Obviously, for a game services company, the game servers are mission critical. The key performance criterion measured by gamers is the in-game transaction latency, which determines the responsiveness of the game and is a key component in the competitive edge for the players, many of whom are actually profes- sionals and quite demanding of the performance of this key criterion. In addition, most game server code is single- threaded and very CPU intensive, with CPU utilization typically in the 60-80 percent range.

Internet

Firewall

Game Servers

Figure 1.. ESL game server high-level architecture..

7400 specifications

The Intel 7400 is a significant component in the realm of data center and cloud computing, specifically engineered to cater to the evolving demands of modern workloads. This processor plays a crucial role in maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of various applications, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and high-performance computing (HPC).

One of the standout features of the Intel 7400 is its high core count, boasting up to 28 cores per processor. This architecture enables exceptional multi-threading capabilities, which is vital for handling concurrent tasks and improving overall throughput. The increased core count, alongside Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology, allows applications to utilize threads more efficiently and manage several workloads simultaneously, ensuring optimal performance across diverse tasks.

The architecture of the Intel 7400 is built upon the innovative Cascade Lake framework, which incorporates several performance optimizations over its predecessors. This includes support for advanced memory configurations, enhanced memory bandwidth, and improved support for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM). The processor also features Intel's Turbo Boost Technology, which automatically adjusts the clock speed to enhance performance on demand, allowing users to tackle intensive processes when necessary without sacrificing energy efficiency.

In addition to performance enhancements, Intel 7400 enhances security in a data-centric world. It incorporates built-in security features such as Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) which provide hardware-based isolation for sensitive data and workloads. This is particularly important for applications dealing with confidential information, ensuring that even in cloud environments, data integrity and privacy are maintained.

Another notable characteristic of the Intel 7400 is its comprehensive support for various virtualization technologies. This allows organizations to run multiple operating systems and instances on a single physical server, reducing hardware costs and improving resource utilization. The processor is also equipped with Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x), simplifying the creation and management of virtual machines, thus enabling businesses to scale operations effortlessly.

The Intel 7400 is well-suited for power efficiency and thermal management, an essential factor for organizations looking to cut operational costs. Its design allows for effective heat dissipation, ensuring that the processor maintains high performance without overheating, ultimately prolonging its lifespan and reliability.

In summary, the Intel 7400 processor represents a fusion of high performance, versatile capabilities, and robust security features tailored for data-centric environments. With its advanced architecture, increased core counts, and support for a variety of applications, it positions itself as an essential component for enterprises looking to thrive in the digital age.