Get started

Server hardware and virtualization

• server hardware degradation

  Server hardware degradation is the gradual breakdown of the physical parts of a server. Continue Reading

• server virtualization

  Server virtualization is a process that creates and abstracts multiple virtual instances on a single server. Continue Reading

• An HCI deployment can go one of two ways

  Hyper-converged infrastructures pose different challenges depending on the deployment method. Software might not offer as much support, while choosing hardware risks vendor lock in. Continue Reading

• Server hardware to run ROBO virtual workloads

  Examine remote office/branch office technology trends, review server hardware options and ensure you can effectively manage virtual resources before implementation. Continue Reading

• Pick the best CPU for virtualization

  Choosing the right CPU for virtual infrastructures depends on several factors, including feature sets and hardware specs. Proper configuration of processor resources is also crucial. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • server hardware degradation
  • server virtualization
  • hardware virtualization
  • hardware-assisted virtualization

  • virtual hard drive
  • VMQ (Virtual Machine Queue)
  • hardware emulation
  • host virtual machine (host VM)

  View All Definitions

• Understand hardware support for virtualization

  Intel, AMD and ARM processors optimize virtualization in a number of ways, from instruction set extensions to interrupts, via Intel VT, AMD-V, ARMv8, Intel APICv and AMD AVIC.Continue Reading

• Use branch office servers to support infrastructure expansion

  A remote office setup requires infrastructure that meets performance, cost and space demands. Depending on the vendor, a microserver will likely provide the best compromise.Continue Reading

• hardware virtualization

  Hardware virtualization, which is also known as server virtualization or simply virtualization, is the abstraction of computing resources from the software that uses those resources.Continue Reading

• hardware-assisted virtualization

  Hardware-assisted virtualization is the use of a computer's physical components to support the mechanism that abstracts and manages the computer's underlying resources from its operating system and the applications that run on it.Continue Reading

• Best practices for sizing a server

  Serving sizing requires a number of comparisons, especially between having a few large servers or many popcorn servers. Compare use cases to find what fits.Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot a hyper-converged system and work with vendors

  Thoroughly evaluate potential hyper-converged platforms, and establish best practices to avoid common challenges and fully realize the benefits of this technology.Continue Reading

• virtual hard drive

  A virtual hard drive file is a container file that acts similar to a physical hard drive.Continue Reading

• If SDDC is your next-generation data center architecture, plan now

  If software is eventually going to rule the data center, you'll want to form a plan that gets you from here to there. Be thorough and deliberate. And start now.Continue Reading

• How to enable hyper-threading in VMware vSphere 6

  Enabling hyper-threading in a hypervisor is easier than you might think. Follow these simple steps to take advantage of hyper-threading technology in VMware vSphere 6.Continue Reading

• Check system requirements before using a hyper-threaded processor

  From watching CPU affinity settings to checking for processor availability, there are things you should consider before using a hyper-threaded processor within a hypervisor.Continue Reading

• Storage overcommitment cuts waste, but don't over promise

  Thin provisioning is a commonly used feature to stretch storage resources, but it's also commonly abused.Continue Reading

• Coupling virtualization and storage

  The growing strain on storage systems has led IT to look for ways to help maximize efficiency and mitigate waste. It is possible to move away from traditional siloed LUNs and address storage volumes in terms of VMs.
  
  This handbook examines ...Continue Reading

• How VDI hardware requirements differ from virtualization

  VDI has specific hardware needs that servers hosting other virtualized workloads may not meet.Continue Reading

• How can I tell if a virtual CPU is to blame for poor performance?

  How can I tell if the allocation of multiple virtual CPUs is causing a performance problem on a virtual machine?Continue Reading

• How is a physical CPU divided into multiple virtual CPUs?

  How many virtual CPUs can you allocate to a VM, and how does this limit the number of VMs on a server?Continue Reading

• How all-flash arrays change virtual cluster dynamics

  The huge performance improvements that all-flash arrays offer are changing the way we think about storage in a virtualized data center.Continue Reading

• Exploring VMware EVO:RAIL partners and use cases

  Members of the VMware EVO:RAIL partners list are starting to roll out their appliances for the hyper-converged infrastructure offering. Here's five links to help you learn all about them.Continue Reading

• CPU features you need for virtualization

  Picking hardware with the right CPU features can improve server virtualization potential and boost critical VM performance.Continue Reading

• VMQ (Virtual Machine Queue)

  VMQ (Virtual Machine Queue) is a type of hardware packet filtering that delivers packet data from an outside virtual machine network directly to a virtualized host operating system. Continue Reading

• The graphics support game advances in virtual servers

  Visualization and scientific computing tasks are driving the addition of graphics coprocessors on virtualized servers.Continue Reading

• Benefits, requirements and drawbacks of server I/O virtualization

  Server I/O virtualization allows for increased consolidation, improved management and improved performance and doesn't have any major drawbacks.Continue Reading

• Virtualization isn't perfect, but SLAT minimizes hypervisor overhead

  Processor technology improvements, such as Second Level Address Translation, have improved virtualization performance by reducing hypervisor overhead.Continue Reading

• Try NUMA architecture for advanced VM memory techniques

  Servers with newer NUMA infrastructure can boost VM performance if administrators pay attention to memory size characteristics.Continue Reading

• hardware emulation

  Hardware emulation is the use of one hardware device to mimic the function of another hardware device.  Microsoft's Hyper-V includes hardware emulation because the Integration Services can only be installed on certain guest operating systems.Continue Reading

• The reality of processor performance improvement with hyperthreading

  Hyperthreading aims to improve processor performance by organizing and scheduling application threads, but it's not always the most efficient method.Continue Reading

• RISC technology, ARM processors trending in server virtualization

  New 64-bit ARM processors are better equipped to support virtualization than before, but not all workloads are good candidates for the technology.Continue Reading

• Optimal BIOS settings for server virtualization

  The ideal mix of performance and reliability starts with learning which server BIOS settings you should configure for a virtualized system.Continue Reading

• RHEV vs. vSphere: The virtualization platform wars

  In the RHEV vs. vSphere debate, which platform has the edge? Quiz yourself on the latest developments in RHEV 3.1 and vSphere 5.1.Continue Reading

• High-availability guide: Using high-availability servers and systems

  Deploying high-availability server and systems requires proper planning and the right software choices. This guide covers all that and more.Continue Reading

• Virtualizing applications and virtual server migration best practices

  Virtualizing applications is great for ROI. With virtual server migrations and virtual appliances, you can recoup your investment even faster.Continue Reading

• host virtual machine (host VM)

  A host virtual machine is the server component of a virtual machine (VM), the underlying hardware that provides computing resources to support a particular guest virtual machine (guest VM).Continue Reading

• Virtualization hardware: The complete guide

  Virtualization hardware can make or break an infrastructure. The right hardware decreases costs, and improves resource allocation and server consolidation ratios.Continue Reading

• Assessing server hardware refresh options

  Server buyers should consider the implications of vendor roadmaps and consolidation and look to capacity planning and objective tools when updating data center hardware. In this IT handbook you will learn the importance of server roadmap, factors to...Continue Reading

• Intel VT (Virtualization Technology)

  Intel VT (Virtualization Technology) is the company's hardware assistance for processors running virtualization platforms.Continue Reading

• Server consolidation and virtualization project planning guide

  Combining server consolidation with virtualization can boost server utilization and reduce power consumption. Here are strategies to maximize server consolidation project benefits.Continue Reading

• Dual-core quad-processor systems, or quad-core dual-processor systems?

  We are looking at hardware for our new ESX farm and are wondering if we should go dual-core quad-processor systems, or quad-core dual-processor systems. Essentially we will have the same number of cores in either case, but the dual-processor servers...Continue Reading

• SPARC (Scalable Processor Architecture) 

  SPARC (Scalable Processor Architecture) is a 32- and 64-bit microprocessor architecture from Sun Microsystems that is based on reduced instruction set computing (RISC).Continue Reading

• PowerPC

  PowerPC is a microprocessor architecture that was developed jointly by Apple, IBM, and Motorola.Continue Reading

• AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)

  AMD is the second largest maker of personal computer microprocessors after Intel.Continue Reading