Intel 7400 manual VMDq and NetQueue Optimize switching Load-balance interrupts

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White Paper Consolidation of a Performance-Sensitive Application

VM

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VM

 

VM

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Virtual

 

Virtual

 

Virtual

VMware with NetQueue

NIC with

VMDq

LAN

Figure 5.. Network data flow for virtualization with VMDq and NetQueue..

10.0

9.29.5

8.0

(GB)

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Throughput

 

 

 

Jumbo Frames

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Without VMDq

With VMDq

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With VMDq

 

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2x throughput

Near Native 10 GbE

Figure 6.. Tests measure wire speed Receive (Rx) side performance with VMDq on Intel® 82598 10 Gigabit Ethernet Controllers..

VMM overhead

Switching load

Interrupt bottleneck

We can optimize the network I/O solution to solve both of the issues above.

In Figure 5, we show the effect of using the new Intel® VMDq hardware in our latest NICs along with the new VMware NetQueue software in ESX 3.5. In this case, the network flows destined for each of the VMs are switched in hardware on the NIC itself and put into separate hardware queues. This greatly simplifies the work that the virtualization software layer has to do to forward packets to the destination VMs and delivers improved CPU headroom for application VMs. Each of the queues noted above is equipped with a dedicated interrupt signal that

can be directly routed to the destination VM for handling. This allows us to spread the load of a 10 G pipe across the processor cores running those VMs. In this way we can break through the single-core interrupt processing bottleneck to deliver near line- rate performance even at 10 GbE speeds.

In Figure 6, we can see that the receive performance with VMDq + NetQueue is 9.2 Gbps with standard 1518-byte packet size and 9.5 Gbps with jumbo frames. This is more than double the throughput without these new technologies enabled and very close to maximum theoretical line rate.

VMDq and NetQueue

Optimize switching

Load-balance interrupts

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Contents Abstract Table of Contents Introduction Can We Virtualize Everything? Non-virtualizable applicationsProblem statement ESL Proof of Concept PoC overviewServer hardware Network I/OVMDq and NetQueue Optimize switching Load-balance interrupts Question the Assumptions Software stackKey performance metrics Gaming protocol Round-trip network latency testsScenarios 2 and 3 Virtualized with and without VMDq/NetQueue ESL game testing FirewallROI Delivered Server consolidationPower savings Other savingsConclusions Resources Additional sources of information on this topicPage We want to hear from you

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.