Robin Wauters

Rack Server Virtualization Add-in For Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Professional

April 3, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Microsoft has recently released an add-in for Visio to help you build rack diagrams.

Rack Server Virtualization Add-in provides the capability to pull the rack-server data either from an Excel spread sheet or from the user and render the Visio diagram. The Add-in from Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Professional helps you plan virtualization and draw a clear picture of your hardware utilization.

This tool auto-generates the diagram of your rack and provides clear server details from a linked Excel template. Analyze your racks and servers using WMI or get the utilization data over time using the Operations Manager connection.

Use the virtualization button to see the before and after detailed diagram of your racks. See clearly where you have the opportunity to save on space and power.

Neterion Launches Virtualized X3110 10 GbE Server Adapter

March 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters 1 Comment

Neterion today announced the general availability of its third generation I/O Virtualized X3110 10 GbE server adapter through its world-wide channel of distributors.

I/O is rapidly becoming the bottleneck or “glass ceiling” in large-scale virtualized server environments as technology trends and the economy demand higher VM density and faster migration of I/O intensive applications. Until now, I/O has failed to keep pace with advances in CPU and Hypervisor technology. This threatens to eventually limit the number of VMs per platform, stunt the adoption of “cloud computing” and also prevent the migration of I/O intensive applications such as databases and mail servers.

Neterion’s I/O virtualized X3110 10 GbE server adapter shatters virtualization’s glass ceiling. The industry’s first fully-virtualized Ethernet controller brings the following capabilities to virtualized server environments:

Integrated Hypervisor Offload technology dramatically reduces the Hypervisor’s CPU utilization and frees up system resources for applications, not “plumbing.” Included in the X3110’s Hypervisor Offload is support for the newly emerging Virtual Ethernet Bridge (VEB) standard that migrates Ethernet switching overhead from the Hypervisor to the X3110 adapter hardware. The X3110’s Hypervisor Offload facilitates greater VM density per platform and deployment of I/O intensive applications that before now required a dedicated, non-virtualized server.
Neterion’s hardware-based I/O Quality of Service (IOQoS) technology allows IT managers to implement true I/O isolation and bandwidth guarantees for each workload. Each fully virtualized I/O workload can independently enable prioritization, classification and queuing of traffic. IOQoS allows virtualized data centers to meet demanding Service Level Agreements (SLAs) of enterprise applications, regardless of whether they run in a virtualized environment. Now, nearly all enterprise applications can be migrated to virtual server environments, greatly expanding the breadth of server virtualization in the datacenter.
Neterion’s unique Virtual Link Technology (VLT) enables the X3110 10 GbE adapter to appear to the system as up to 17 fully independent Ethernet adapters that can be managed just like multiple Gigabit adapters. VLT presents multiple PCI device functions to the host system, which means that today’s servers can take full advantage of the technology. VLT also provides future proofing by allowing enterprise data centers to migrate to the industry standard Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) when enabling software becomes available.

Neterion’s X3110 fully independent virtual adapter architecture is unique in the industry, allowing each virtualized adapter instance to run native, full featured device drivers in a guest operating system, rather than a custom “data-path only” driver. This architecture enables each adapter instance to be independently reset and includes isolated hardware queues that mitigate head-of-line blocking issues found in other adapter architectures. Additionally, the X3110 10 GbE adapter allows end-users to preserve their existing investments in driver qualifications, operating systems, network administration tools and personnel training.

The X3110 I/O Virtualized 10 GbE server adapter is being initially released in two flavors: single port 850nm SR Optical and single port Direct Attach (DA) twinax copper (sometimes referred to as 10GBase-CR). Both adapters employ the new SFP+ module standard and are available today through world-wide channel distributors with a starting MSRP of $899. Dual port 10 GbE adapter versions (the X3120) will be available in the second half of 2009.

Intel Introduces New Family Of Xeon Processors

March 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Intel Corporation introduced 17 processors today, led by the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series. They are Intel’s most revolutionary server processors since addressing the market with the Intel Pentium Pro processor almost 15 years ago.

The new enterprise-class chips can automatically adjust to specified energy usage levels, and speed data center transactions and customer database queries. They also will play a key role in scientific discoveries by researchers who use supercomputers as their foundation for research, all whilst delivering great energy efficiency for reduced electricity costs.

The Intel Xeon processor 5500 series, previously codenamed “Nehalem-EP,” offers severaltechnologies that radically improve system speed and versatility. Technologies such as Intel Turbo Boost Technology, Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, integrated power gates, and Next-Generation Intel Virtualization Technology (VT) improved through extended page tables, allow the system to adapt to a broad range of workloads.

As use of the Internet expands toward Intel’s vision of 15 billion connected devices, the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series will also power an upcoming transformation for the Internet’s infrastructure. The high-tech industry has rallied around a goal to run applications from optimized processors and computing hardware that are available on-demand and scalable to the masses. Often called cloud computing, this vision could flourish helped by the adaptability, capability and intelligence of the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series.

With over 30 new world records the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series establishes new standards for two-socket performance while delivering gains of more than double the previous- generation Intel Xeon processor 5400 series.

Whether businesses are running high-capacity transactions or simulations, or researchers are striving to discover new energy resources or distant galaxies, computers based on the adaptable Intel Xeon processor 5500 series will play a big impact. Equipped with triple the memory bandwidth of previous server processors, Intel Xeon processor 5500 series-based platforms effortlessly manage a variety of workloads and conditions. A new feature, Intel Turbo Boost Technology, increases system performance based on the user’s workload and environment, dynamically boosting the clock speed of one or more of the individual processing cores.

These and other more intelligent capabilities of the processors also maximize total cost of ownership for users interested in a smooth transition to the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series from their current systems. In this time of economic challenges, customers can replace older Intel Xeon servers with the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series and receive an estimated payback in as little as 8 months.

Intel is also announcing new server boards that offer a higher degree of integrated components. In addition, the company is announcing the Intel 82599 10 Gigabit Ethernet Controller, featuring advanced virtualization technology and unified networking support, which greatly improves network I/O performance in virtualized datacenters. It is optimized to support the increased bandwidth provided by platforms based on the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series, which provides more than 250 percent the I/O throughput of previous-generation servers to best meet the needs of the most demanding virtualization applications.

Also available today is the Intel Data Center Manager software development kit that enables management console vendors to extend platform power control and set rack and datacenter level power policies dynamically, responding to changing server workloads to ensure that racks do not exceed those power levels.

For server applications, processor frequencies peak at 2.93 GHz with DDR3 memory speeds up to 1333 MHz and power levels of from 60 to 95 watts. Under certain conditions, Intel Turbo Boost Technology can provide operating frequencies up to 3.33 GHz, depending on the processor and system configuration. Workstation frequencies go up to 3.20 GHz with power levels of 130 watts, and up to 3.46GHz using Intel Turbo Boost Technology depending on the workload and environment. Each processor contains up to 8MB of level 3 cache.

Starting today, more than 230 unique systems based on the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series are expected to be announced by more than 70 system manufacturers around the world – including a new Intel customer, Cisco, along with Dell, Fujitsu, HP, IBM, Sun Microsystems and others.

The Intel Xeon processor 5500 series ranges in price from $188 to $1,600 in quantities of 1,000. The single-socket Intel Xeon processor 3500 series ranges from $284 to $999 in quantities of 1,000. The L5518 and L5508 embedded processors for communications market segments are priced at $530 and $423, respectively, in quantities of 1,000.

Global Availability Of ParaScale Cloud Storage Announced

March 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

ParaScale announced today the immediate global availability of ParaScale Cloud Storage (PCS) software. As a software-only solution that can be downloaded from the web and applied to any standard Linux platform, PCS enables hundreds of commodity servers to be clustered together to act as a file repository with massive capacity and parallel throughput. PCS is being used by leading enterprise and service provider organizations including Blue Coat Systems, Carpathia Hosting, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and Stanford Genome Technology Center.

By combining ParaScale software and buyer selected standard servers, managed service providers can build different types of public clouds and offer a variety of storage cloud services, while enterprises can start small and build their own private, corporate clouds inside their own firewall.

In one example, Sony Pictures Imageworks is testing PCS to see how a private storage cloud might better the economics of its storage intensive infrastructure. “We have been working with ParaScale since early in the beta process and we are impressed with the technology and flexibility of the software. Having evaluated many storage technologies over the years, we are optimistic about finding a potential solution that scales in capacity and performance and targets our content heavy workloads, all the while leveraging standard Linux hardware,” said Nick Bali, senior systems engineer.

By working closely with partners, ParaScale looks to change the economics of storage-intensive solutions in many industries, and thus deliver strong ROI to customers. Vembu Technologies and South River Technologies have embraced ParaScale’s cloud software and are working with ParaScale to implement end-to-end cloud management solutions.

ParaScale software will soon be available through a broad range of value-added resellers. Resellers recognize that commodity-scaled, easy to manage and grow file storage has a thousand use-cases in any IT environment whether the customer is thinking clouds or not.

ParaScale Cloud Storage software version 1.2 is available for immediate purchase and can be downloaded here: http://www.parascale.com. Pricing is based on the physical capacity within the cloud with deployments starting in North America at a list price of $1.05/GB.

Citrix Receiver Technology Preview for iPhone Released

March 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Today, Citrix released the Technical Preview of the upcoming ICA client for the Apple iPhone called “Citrix Receiver” (iTunes link).

Anyone with a properly configured Citrix XenApp environment can download the Citrix Receiver and access authorized company apps from their iPhone today ! Now is the time to start testing the iPhone in your environment, look for ways to increase productivity, and have some fun.

Note: Works with Wi-Fi or 3G connection, Citrix XenApp and XenApp Web Services, Windows applications hosted on Citrix XenApp. And the Citrix XenApp secure application feature is not supported with this Technology Preview Release.

Also watch this Citrix Receiver video from Chris Fleck.

Xsigo Systems To Support New Intel Xeon Processor Family

March 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Xsigo Systems today announced support for Intel’s next-generation Xeon processor family. The new Intel processors offer enhanced performance and throughput capabilities that are expected to increase the need for Xsigo virtual I/O as users migrate to high-density computing environments that demand greater I/O capabilities.

The new Xeon processors include architectural enhancements that increase both processing power and memory bandwidth. When users add workload to capitalize on these features, there is an elevated risk of I/O bottlenecks unless there is a commensurate increase in I/O capabilities. Xsigo virtual I/O eliminates I/O bottlenecks with dynamic bandwidth allocation that delivers performance on-demand to I/O connections over a high-speed 20Gbs fabric. Xsigo virtual I/O also incorporates quality of service features that reduce the risk of I/O resource contention, an issue that arises when multiple virtual machines compete for bandwidth on a single I/O link.

Increasing compute density frequently exacerbates I/O issues since high-density devices may lack the physical space to accommodate the needed I/O, particularly when blade systems or compact 1U or 2U servers are deployed. Xsigo virtual I/O eliminates this concern by providing up to 40Gbs of bandwidth to each I/O card or mezzanine card, or 2X to 40X the bandwidth density of conventional I/O.

Customers using Xsigo’s I/O virtualization products can reduce both the operational and capital costs associated with server I/O. Xsigo consolidates the I/O infrastructure and replaces physical network and storage interfaces (NICs and HBAs) with virtual resources that can be deployed on-the-fly. Compared with traditional server I/O, benefits of the Xsigo virtual I/O infrastructure include:

100 times faster I/O configuration management
30 percent less power consumption
70 percent fewer I/O cards, cables, and switch ports
Predictable I/O bandwidth to applications via hardware-enforced QoS

This open standards-based solution, interoperable with servers and storage across most leading platforms, is designed to remove the constraints imposed by traditional I/O cards and cables that otherwise limit the flexibility to re-deploy assets. The result is a wire-once infrastructure where configuration changes are completed in minutes rather than days, are executed in software rather than hardware, and can be remotely managed. Eliminating the need to re-cable can help reduce operational costs and remove the risk of cabling errors that may cause unplanned downtime.