Using Intel Multi-Port Server Adapters to Optimize Server Virtualization and Consolidation

White Paper Using Intel® Multi-Port Server Adapters to Optimize Server Virtualization and Consolidation
8
increased uptime; and interrupt moderation for
significantly enhanced processor utilization.
Extensive compatibility. With a flexible
design tha
t fits almost any type of PCI slot, dual-
and quad-port Intel adapters include standards-
based management features and wide network
operating system support to help ensure
extensive compatibility with the latest server
and networking environments. Intel adapters are
compatible with full-height and low-profile PCI
slots. On select adapters, the standard, full-height
bracket can be easily swapped out and replaced
by the short
er, low-profile bracket for installation
in high-density servers that feature low-profile
PCI slots.
Increased reliability. Intel® Advanced Network
Services (ANS) software allows administrators to
increase uptime with redundant, teamed connec-
tions. Switch fault tolerance and test switch
configuration features help test compatibility and
further increase uptime. Intel multi-port adapters
can be configured to automatically switch to a
secondary link when a server's primary link fails.
Server performance can be further enhanced by
teaming connections on adapters with each
other, with connections on other Intel PRO server
adapters or with LAN on motherboard (LOM) com-
ponents using Intel ANS features to achieve
multi-gigabit scalability and r
edundancy for server
failover capability. Advanced cable diagnostics can
dynamically t
est and report network problems
such as interrupts and automatically compensate
for cable issues.
Server expandability and business
c
ontinuity.
Pr
oactively including an Intel multi-
port NIC at time of server purchase or installation
of VMware ESX Server 3 ensures server expand-
ability by helping avoid the cost of taking a server
o
ffline t
o ins
tall a ne
w NIC when adding serv
ers
or virtual machines. Intel multi-port adapters also
enable business continuity by allowing IT adminis-
tr
a
tors to dedicate ports for remote storage and
management, including storage area network/
network attached storage (SAN/NAS).
Network segmentation. To help ensure that IT
organizations can support unpredictable network
demands, such as heavy traffic on Web servers
and intranets, IT departments are increasingly
segmenting enterprise networks. Segmentation
helps provide better data security and uptime for
each ne
twork. Employing multi-port network
adapters can provide the platform flexibility to
respond to evolving needs for segmentation and
enable the connection to multiple switches to
segment traffic on a network.
Cabling advantages. Intel offers dual- and
quad-port adapters with both copper and fiber-
optic connections. Both types of adapters use
a common driver technology—Intel® SingleDriver™
technology—for Gigabit Ethernet, which helps
reduce IT complexity. These Intel network adapters
support cost-effective 10/100/1000 transmis-
sion rates over existing Category 5 (Cat 5) cabling
and gigabit connection rates over existing fiber-
optic cabling. IT administrators can upgrade Fast
Ethernet connections to Gigabit Ethernet using
Intel PRO NICs. This added flexibility reduces train-
ing costs associated with the upgrade and expe-
dites the Gigabit Ethernet rollout.
Centralized remote management. Dual-and
quad-port Intel adapters support standard man-
agement protocols to further reduce TCO. These
protocols include Wired for Management (WfM),
Microsoft Remote Installation Service (RIS), Simple
Network Management Protocol (SNMP), and
Deskt
op Managemen
t In
terface (DMI).
Virtualization: Making the
Connection
To improve return on investment (ROI) and reduce
TCO, organizations need to make the most of
wha
t is alr
eady in place. Virtual IT in
fr
as
tructur
e
has become a powerful enabler for consolidating
servers, running applications in multiple operating
s
ys
tem environments, simplifying administration
and lowering operating costs. VMware Infrastruc-
ture 3 software on Intel Xeon processor—based
servers provides a robust virtualization platform,