White Paper Consolidation of a Performance-Sensitive Application

Average CPU Utilization (percentage)

100

80

60

40

20

740

 

720

(Watts)

700

Power

680

 

660

640

24 32 36 40 Number of VMs

Figure 15.. ESL virtual game servers on Intel® Xeon® processor 7400 Series-based platforms..

ROI Delivered

Server consolidation

Figure 15 represents the CPU utilization and power utilized by the server at various numbers of virtual machines under a full load. The bar graph represents CPU utilization, and the line graph represents power utilized by the server. The horizontal axis represents the number of virtual machines, and the left vertical axis and right vertical axis represent the scale for CPU utilization and power utilization, respectively.

Since the server has 24 cores, we started with 24 virtual machines, all of them configured identically as mentioned earlier. As we can see from the graph, for identical 24 virtual machines the total average CPU utilization was a little more than 40 percent, and power utilized was about 665 watts.

As the server is not fully utilized, the number of virtual machines was scaled up to 40. At 40 virtual machines the CPU utilization was about 90 percent, and power utilized was about 725 watts. Even at 90 percent utilization there was no impact on the in-game

latency or gaming experience. But in ESL’s current native envi- ronment, ESL tries to limit the CPU utilization per server around 60–80 percent. ESL needs this head room as there can be situa- tions where some game servers need more resources. Therefore, it was decided that 36 virtual machines is the optimal number as the CPU utilization and power utilization are 75 percent and 710 watts, respectively.

Below is the quote from “Kapio,” a professional gamer who actually played Counter-Strike on the virtual machines. He did not see any difference as compared to native.

“Playing on virtualized game servers running on Intel and VMware technologies gives professional gamers no disadvantages compared with playing on a non-virtualized server.. Everything ran smoothly, and I did not notice anything unusual.. A perfect setup for professional gaming..”

— Navid Javadi, aka mousesportsKapio

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Intel 7400 manual ROI Delivered, Server consolidation

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.