Simplify VMware vSphere* 4 Networking with Intel Ethernet 10 Gigabit Server Adapters

The Foundation of Virtualization
WHITEPAPER
•Providingaphysicallysimplerenvironmentwheremiscongurations
are more easily avoided can also help to decrease support costs,
as well as enable greater automation through the extensive use
of virtualization.
•Reducingthenumberofserveradaptersandswitchports
being powered in data centers can help to create substantial
energy savings.
In addition, the ability to dynamically allocate bandwidth on demand
increases flexibility and enables organizations to get maximum value
from their network hardware. Therefore, 10GbE is superior to GbE as a
connectivity technology for virtualized networks, and as future genera-
tions of data centers continue to increase the demands placed on the
infrastructure, the level of that superiority is expected to increase.
For more information about Intel
®
Ethernet 10GbE Server Adapters,
see www.intel.com/go/10GbE
For more information about VMware vSphere* 4, see www.vmware.
com/products/vsphere
For more information about virtual networking, see
www.intel.com/network/connectivity/solutions/virtualization.htm
ConClusion
Using Intel Ethernet 10GbE Server Adapters in virtualized environments
based on VMware vSphere allows enterprises to reduce the complexity
and cost of network infrastructure. Advanced hardware and software
technologies work together to ensure that security and performance
requirements can be met without the large numbers of physical server
connections required in GbE legacy networks. Additionally, more sophis-
ticated management functionality is possible using 10GbE and VMware
functionality features to replace methods that depend on physical sepa-
ration with updated approaches that use logical separation.
Because migration to 10GbE can dramatically reduce the number of
physical server adapters needed for a given configuration, organizations
can realize a variety of cost advantages:
•Decreasingthenumberofphysicalserveradapters,switchports,
and support infrastructure components required can potentially
reduce capital costs.
Advanced hardware and software technologies work together to ensure
that security and performance requirements can be met without the large
numbers of physical server connections required in GbE legacy networks.
1
http://kensvirtualreality.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/the-great-vswitch-debate-part-1/
2
http://www.vmware.com/les/pdf/VMW_09Q1_WP_vSphereNetworking_P8_R1.pdf
3
http://communities.vmware.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadBody/11846-102-1-11684/vSphere%20Hardening%20Guide%20--%20%20vNetwork%20Rev%20B.pdf;jsessionid=849963B4EE5C82C85473272DCE9F0DF0
4
http://cio.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/pd/si/casi/ca6000/prodlit/vlnwp_wp.htm
5
http://communities.vmware.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadBody/11846-102-1-11684/vSphere%20Hardening%20Guide%20--%20%20vNetwork%20Rev%20B.pdf;jsessionid=849963B4EE5C82C85473272DCE9F0DF0
6
http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/vtc_vmdq.htm
7
http://download.intel.com/design/network/applnots/321211.pdf
8
http://www.intel.com/technology/eedc/index.htm
9
http://download.intel.com/technology/computing/vptech/Intel(r)_VT_for_Direct_IO.pdf
10
Source:InternaltestingbyIntel.
 INFORMATIONINTHISDOCUMENTISPROVIDEDINCONNECTIONWITHINTEL
®
PRODUCTS.NOLICENSE,EXPRESSORIMPLIED,BYESTOPPELOROTHERWISE,TOANYINTELLECTUALPROPERTYRIGHTSISGRANTEDBYTHIS
DOCUMENT.EXCEPTASPROVIDEDININTEL’STERMSANDCONDITIONSOFSALEFORSUCHPRODUCTS,INTELASSUMESNOLIABILITYWHATSOEVER,ANDINTELDISCLAIMSANYEXPRESSORIMPLIEDWARRANTY,RELAT-
INGTOSALEAND/ORUSEOFINTELPRODUCTSINCLUDINGLIABILITYORWARRANTIESRELATINGTOFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE,MERCHANTABILITY,ORINFRINGEMENTOFANYPATENT,COPYRIGHTOROTHER
INTELLECTUALPROPERTYRIGHT.UNLESSOTHERWISEAGREEDINWRITINGBYINTEL,THEINTELPRODUCTSARENOTDESIGNEDNORINTENDEDFORANYAPPLICATIONINWHICHTHEFAILUREOFTHEINTELPRODUCT
COULDCREATEASITUATIONWHEREPERSONALINJURYORDEATHMAYOCCUR.
 Intelmaymakechangestospecicationsandproductdescriptionsatanytime,withoutnotice.Designersmustnotrelyontheabsenceorcharacteristicsofanyfeaturesorinstructions
marked“reserved”or“undened.”Intelreservestheseforfuturedenitionandshallhavenoresponsibilitywhatsoeverforconictsorincompatibilitiesarisingfromfuturechangesto
them.Theinformationhereissubjecttochangewithoutnotice.Donotnalizeadesignwiththisinformation.
 Theproductsdescribedinthisdocumentmaycontaindesigndefectsorerrorsknownaserratawhichmaycausetheproducttodeviatefrompublishedspecications.Current
characterizederrataareavailableonrequest.ContactyourlocalIntelsalesofceoryourdistributortoobtainthelatestspecicationsandbeforeplacingyourproductorder.Copies
ofdocumentswhichhaveanordernumberandarereferencedinthisdocument,orotherIntelliterature,maybeobtainedbycalling1-800-548-4725,orbyvisitingIntel’sWebsite
at www.intel.com.
 Copyright©2010IntelCorporation.Allrightsreserved.IntelandtheIntellogoaretrademarksofIntelCorporationintheU.S.andothercountries.
 *Othernamesandbrandsmaybeclaimedasthepropertyofothers. PrintedinUSA 0510/BY/OCG/XX/PDF
PleaseRecycle 323336-003US