White Paper Consolidation of a Performance-Sensitive Application

Counter-

Counter-

Strike 1.6*

Strike 1.6*

Windows

Windows

Server 2003*

Server 2003*

32 bit

32 bit

VM1

VMn

 

VMware ESX 3.5 U1*

Intel® Xeon® Processor 7400 Series-based Server

Figure 7.. Software stack..

 

25

(rms)

20

latency

15

Average

10

 

 

5

Best LAN

Best

Typical

 

Internet

Internet

Figure 8.. In-game latency..

Software stack

Figure 7 shows the software stack used in the PoC. We started with VMware ESX 3.5U1, which was the latest production version at the time the PoC began. We also used Virtual Center 2.5.* The VMs were configured with 1 vCPU and 2 GB of memory each, which emulates the physical server infrastructure used by ESL. In each VM we loaded Windows Server 2003* 32-bit and the Counter-Strike 1.6* game server. Counter-Strike is a very popu- lar game and a good example of the types of games hosted by ESL. Each VM hosts three game server processes, and each game server process can host up to 12 game users. Again, this corre- sponds with the typical deployment processes used by ESL for its physical game servers.

Now that we’ve described the technologies used in the PoC, we’ll move on to detailing the engineering and testing phase.

Question the Assumptions

Key performance metrics

The key performance metric for ESL—or for any online gaming application—is the “in-game transaction latency.” This can be defined as the sum of round-trip network latency and game server processing time.

Figure 8 represents the typical in-game transaction latency numbers that ESL observed in its current native environment.

When players are connected to the game servers through a local area network, the best case in-game latency is ~5 ms. For play- ers connected to game servers via the Internet, the in-game latency is greater or equal to 20 ms; and for the players having high-speed Internet connections, it’s about ~10ms, which is the Internet best-case scenario.

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Intel 7400 manual Question the Assumptions, Software stack, Key performance metrics
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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.
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