Networking Throughput, HMMer, NetBench SMB

Technology Overview

Xserve G5

HMMer 2.3.3

HMMer is another application that demonstrates the advantages of Xserve G5 with Velocity Engine for processor-intensive scientific analysis. HMMer is a genome sequence–matching application that uses Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to identify similarities in genetic structures. The core routines of HMMer repeatedly perform the same operation on large amounts of data. To test the performance of the HMMer code, Apple searched for an HMM created from a 358-residue sequence in the protein databank (PDB) and measured the time to search the entire PDB.

HMMer: Genome Sequence Matching

Xserve G5

Dual 2GHz PowerPC G5

Dell PowerEdge 1750

Dual 3.2GHz Xeon

IBM eServer x335

Dual 3.2GHz Xeon

IBM eServer x325

Dual 2GHz Opteron

69% faster

33% faster

27% faster

Baseline

Percent faster than Opteron-based system

The dual 2GHz Xserve G5 performed the HMMer search up to 33 percent faster than the 3.2GHz Xeon-based servers and 69 percent faster than the 2GHz Opteron-based server.

Networking Throughput

To minimize bottlenecks and ensure maximum data throughput, Xserve G5 features a high-performance I/O architecture optimized for server tasks.

NetBench SMB

Xserve G5 provides the best balance of processor, network, and disk performance— critical for delivering file services to large numbers of network clients.

NetBench SMB: Windows File Serving

	200
								Xserve G5
								with Mac OS X Server
	160
								IBM eServer x335
per second								with Windows Server 2003
	120

Megabits	80
Megabits
	40
	0
	1	4	8	12	16	20	24	28

Simultaneous clients

With more than 12 NetBench clients, Xserve G5 with Mac OS X Server delivers Windows file services significantly faster than the Xeon-based server with Windows Server 2003, and its performance remains high even as clients are added to the network.

Xserve G5 specifications

The Apple Xserve G5 was a powerful rack-mounted server that was introduced by Apple in 2004. Built on the robust PowerPC architecture, it marked a significant entry into the enterprise server market for the company, reflecting its commitment to high-performance computing and advanced technology solutions.

One of the main features of the Xserve G5 was its dual dual-core PowerPC G5 processors, which allowed for exceptional computation performance. This configuration enabled up to 8 processing cores in a single server unit, significantly enhancing multitasking capabilities and making it suitable for high-demand applications. With support for up to 16GB of DDR SDRAM, the server ensured ample memory for intensive operations and large-scale data processing tasks.

In terms of storage, the Xserve G5 featured a versatile design that supported up to four hot-swappable Serial ATA (SATA) drive bays. This capability enabled users to easily replace or upgrade hard drives without downtime, which is crucial in enterprise environments. The server also supported RAID configurations, offering options for increased reliability and data redundancy.

Networking capabilities were another highlight of the Xserve G5. It came equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing robust network throughput and redundancy. This feature was particularly valuable for mission-critical applications where uptime and performance were essential. Additionally, the Xserve G5 was compatible with various networking protocols and featured built-in support for Active Directory, simplifying integration into existing IT infrastructures.

The operating system of choice for the Xserve G5 was Mac OS X Server, which offered a user-friendly interface along with powerful server management tools. The software provided a wide range of services, including file sharing, web hosting, and email services, tailored for small to medium enterprises and education institutions.

For those seeking expandability, the Xserve G5 boasted a PCI-X expansion slot, allowing users to add various hardware components such as additional network interfaces or specialized processing cards.

In terms of its physical design, the Xserve G5 had a sleek, 1U form factor, making it easy to integrate into existing server racks while maintaining a modern aesthetic. The efficient cooling system was designed to keep the unit running optimally, ensuring reliability during extended periods of use.

In conclusion, the Apple Xserve G5 represented a significant advance in server technology with its powerful dual G5 processors, ample memory and storage options, and robust networking capabilities. Its combination of performance and user-friendly Mac OS X Server made it a notable choice for organizations seeking reliable computing solutions in the mid-2000s.