Optimizing-QoS-vSphere_final
•Burst size is the maximum number
of bytes to allow in a burst. If this
parameter is set, a port might gain a
burst bonus if it does not use all its
allocated bandwidth. Whenever the
port needs more bandwidth than what
is specified by , it
might be allowed to temporarily transmit
data at a higher speed if a burst bonus
is available. This parameter limits the
number of bytes that have accumulated
in the burst bonus and thus transfers at
a higher speed.
Trafcshapingcanprovidebandwidth
limits for a dedicated virtual NIC (vNIC) in
a VM that can use a lot of bandwidth, such
asavNICusedspecicallyforbackup.
Backup can take as much bandwidth as is
available, so to limit the amount available,
the best practice is to create a separate
and dedicated vNIC in the VM and assign
ittoaportgroupthathastrafcshaping
enabled to statically limit the amount of
bandwidth. This practice will allow both
inboundandoutboundtrafcbandwidth
tobelimitedtoaspecicleveltoprovide
predictable backup times and
bandwidth usage.
Note:Trafcshapingisnotsupported
when a dependent hardware iSCSI
adapterisused.Atrafc-shapingpolicyis
denedbythreecharacteristics:average
bandwidth, peak bandwidth, and burst
size.Trafc-shapingpoliciesdonotapply
toiSCSItrafconadependenthardware
iSCSI adapter.
Conclusion
VMwarevSphere4.1representsasignicantevolutioninadministrators’abilitytousevirtualizationtomeet
advanced business needs. Because network connectivity based on 10GbE is a clear necessity to maximize the
valueofthoseadvances,vSphere4.1isspecicallydesignedwithfeaturesthatcomplementIntelEthernet
10 Gigabit Server Adapters. Following the analysis, monitoring, and control best practices presented here will
help administrators take full advantage of 10 Gigabit. Together, vSphere 4.1 and Intel Ethernet 10GbE Server
Adaptersaddanewlevelofperformance,exibility,andintelligencetovirtualizednetworks.
About the Authors
Brian JohnsonisaProductMarketingEngineerfor10GbIntelEthernetProductsatIntelCorporation.Inthisroleheisresponsible
forproductdenition,development,andmarketingof10Gbsiliconproductsalongwithvirtualization,manageability,andsecurity
technologies.Brianhasover15yearsofexperienceinserverproductplanningandmarketing,duringwhichhehasheldvarious
positions in strategic planning, product marketing, and product development.
IntelTechnologyLeaderisaTechnicalMarketingEngineer(TME)forIntelServerI/OVirtualizationandManageability
technologies. As a senior TME, he works with customers, providing both educational materials and answering questions ranging from
technicaltoarchitectural.HehasworkedinnearlyeveryfacetofServerManageability,fromcontributingtotheIPMIspecicationto
writingmanagementsoftwareoveraspanof12yearsatIntel.PatrickhassplithistimebetweenManageabilityandI/OVirtualization
forthepastfouryears.Patrickfrequentlyblogsabouthistechnologiesathttp://communities.intel.com/community/wired.
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