White Paper Consolidation of a Performance-Sensitive Application

Client 1

1 GbE

 

 

ESX* Server

 

 

 

 

 

 

VM1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Force 10 S50*

10 GbE

 

 

 

 

vSW1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Client 8

1 GbE

 

 

 

 

VM8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 11.. Virtualized lab test setup..

 

0.30

(rms)

0.25

 

latency

0.20

 

Average

0.15

0.10

 

0.05

64

256

 

1024

 

 

Packet size (bytes)

 

 

Native

 

 

VMDq

 

No VMDq

 

 

 

Figure 12.. Netperf 2..4..4 UDP latency test with eight parallel streams..

Scenarios 2 and 3: Virtualized with and without VMDq/NetQueue

In these scenarios, the setup shown in Figure 11, consists of 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. On the server, ESX 3.5 is installed and there are eight virtual machines created. The virtual machines are configured with 1vCPU; 1 GB RAM and SLES 10 SP1 is the guest operating system. VMDq with 16 queues along with NetQueue is enabled on the ESX server, and we are letting the VMM handle the VMDq assignments, core assignments, and interrupt affinity. On the clients, SLES 10 SP1 is the operating system. There are eight parallel streams of UDP latency tests being run from eight clients to eight virtual machines.

As mentioned earlier, in all the scenarios we used Netperf 2.4.4 UDP latency test and we ran the tests for UDP packet sizes of 64 bytes, 256 bytes, and 1024 bytes. The ESL workload used UDP packets of sizes varying from 40 to 200 bytes.

The results from these tests are summarized in Figure 12. In the graph, we are comparing native, virtualized with VMDq, and virtualized with no VMDq (represented by the blue, light blue, and gray bars, respectively). The horizontal axis represents various UDP packet sizes in bytes, and the vertical axis represents the average latency in milliseconds.

From Figure 12 it can be concluded that virtualization increases the latency. In fact, the latency is doubled (for 64-byte packets, the latency in the native scenario is 0.12 ms, whereas in the virtualized­ scenario with no VMDq it is 0.24 ms). By enabling VMDq and NetQueue, the latency in the virtualized case is near native (~0.13 ms). The increase in latency by virtualizing has a negligible impact when compared to in-game latency of 5 ms best case.

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Intel 7400 manual Scenarios 2 and 3 Virtualized with and without VMDq/NetQueue
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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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