White Paper Consolidation of a Performance-Sensitive Application

Client 1

 

 

40–200 bytes UDP

Game Player

 

 

 

Game Server

 

 

 

 

 

2,000 bytes UDP

 

Client 8

1 GbE

Force 10 S50*

10 GbE

Native

 

 

Server

 

 

1 GbE

Figure 9.. Game network protocol overview..

Figure 10.. Native lab test setup..

Gaming protocol

How does this gaming protocol work? A player sends a UDP packet of 40–200 bytes in size to the game server. The game server receives the packets, does its own processing, and then updates all the players by sending a 2,000-byte UDP packet (as represented in Figure 9).

We know that the virtualization will increase the round-trip network latency, but we are not sure by how much. In theory we also know that enabling VMDq and NetQueue will improve the network latency. We searched both internally and externally for data related to the impact of virtualization on latency sensi- tive applications, but we were not successful. Therefore, we decided to do our own tests in Intel labs.

Round-trip network latency tests

In order to run the round-trip network latency test, we used the micro-benchmark Netperf 2.4.4, the UDP latency test and the ESL workload, which consists of UDP packets. The following three scenarios are being compared here:

1.Native

2.Virtualized with VMDq/NetQueue

3.Virtualized with no VMDq/NetQueue

Scenario 1: Native

The setup and configuration, as shown in Figure 10, includes eight clients connected to eight 1-GbE ports of a 1G/10G link aggregation switch (Force 10 S50*) and the Intel Xeon processor 7300 server connected to 10G port of the switch via Intel® 82598 10GbE CX4 NIC. SLES10 SP1 is the operating system installed on all the clients and servers, and there are eight parallel streams of UDP latency tests being run from the clients to the server.

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Intel 7400 manual Gaming protocol, Round-trip network latency tests

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.