Virtualization itself is a technology that considerably lowers IT operating costs. Right at the start, multiple servers can be launched and operated without the need for additional hardware. Then come energy savings, the ease and speed of use for users and administrators, and many more economic benefits. What could actually cause virtualization operating costs to rise?
Virtual machines depend on numerous innovations to operate. A group of VMs all utilize a common hardware platform, to which data is saved and from which it is read. Hence if there are any issues with I/O operations, every virtual machine based in that hardware will be affected.
Issues with I/O read and write operations are some of the top barriers to computer system performance, physical or virtual. But due to the fact that an I/O must pass through multiple layers in a virtual environment, such issues can have an even more profound impact with VMs.
In addition to general slow performance caused by I/O bottlenecks—leading to sluggish speed of VMs, slowed or stalled backups and other major problems—troubles with I/Os are also responsible for other issues that might not so readily be associated with them. For example, because of the excessive I/O activity, hardware life is decreased by 50 percent or more. In that the hardware is the host for VMs, attention to hardware life is crucial.
Also particular to virtual environments is the symptom of slow virtual migration. The task of migrating servers from physical to virtual (known as P2V) or from one type of virtual machine to another is a basic operation in virtual environments. The slowing down of this process can be cumbersome, especially if users or processes are waiting for the new virtual machine. As with the other issues listed above, slow virtual migration can be traced directly to issues with I/O operations.
Because of the many innovations inherent in a virtual environment, a comprehensive virtual platform disk optimizer is required as the solution. The number of I/Os required to read and write files are drastically and automatically reduced. But also solved is coordination of I/O resources, and the address of virtual disk “bloat”—a situation that occurs due to excessive I/Os, and for which there is no other solution.
Issues with I/O operations raise operating costs within a virtual environment across the boards. A virtual platform disk optimizer is the key to keeping them under control.
Showing posts with label virtual machine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label virtual machine. Show all posts
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Barriers to Virtual Machine Performance
Virtual machines (VMs) have created a revolution in computing. The ability to launch a brand-new server with a few keystrokes, utilize it, and then discontinue or change that utilization, is a facility that will only grow with time. The future direction for virtual machines is probably a scenario in which a majority of computing is actually performed on VMs, with minimal hardware only present for hosting purposes.
The technologies being utilized for virtual technology are quite remarkable. They sum up to resources being coordinated and shared in such a way that work gets done across multiple platforms and environments almost as if no barriers existed at all. However, there are several issues that, if not properly addressed, can severely impact virtual machine performance.
First is addressing the issue of I/O reads and writes. If reads and writes are being conducted in the presence of file fragmentation, I/O bandwidth will quickly bottleneck. Fragmentation is the age-old problem of files being split into tens or hundreds of thousands of pieces (fragments) for better utilization of hard drive space.
In a virtual environment, fragmentation has a substantial impact, if only due to the multiple layers that a single I/O request must pass through in a virtual environment. If each I/O is performed for a single file fragment, performance is critically slowed down, and this condition can even lead to an inability to run more VMs.
In dealing with fragmentation, there is also the need for coordination of shared I/O resources across the platform. A simple defragmentation solution will cut across the production needs of VMs, simply because the effective prioritizing of I/Os is not done.
There is also a situation of virtual disk “bloat”-- wasted disk space that takes place when virtual disks are set to dynamically grow but don’t then shrink when users or applications remove data.
Although these barriers are multiple, there is a single answer to them: virtual platform disk optimization technology. The first barrier, fragmentation, is dealt with by preventing a majority of it before it even occurs. Files existing in as few fragments as possible means I/O reads and writes are occurring at maximum speed. Resources are also coordinated across the platform so that VM production needs are fully taken into account.
Such software also contains a compaction feature so that wasted disk space can be easily eliminated.
These barriers can frustrate the management of virtual environments. Fortunately, IT personnel can solve them with a single virtual machine optimization solution.
The technologies being utilized for virtual technology are quite remarkable. They sum up to resources being coordinated and shared in such a way that work gets done across multiple platforms and environments almost as if no barriers existed at all. However, there are several issues that, if not properly addressed, can severely impact virtual machine performance.
First is addressing the issue of I/O reads and writes. If reads and writes are being conducted in the presence of file fragmentation, I/O bandwidth will quickly bottleneck. Fragmentation is the age-old problem of files being split into tens or hundreds of thousands of pieces (fragments) for better utilization of hard drive space.
In a virtual environment, fragmentation has a substantial impact, if only due to the multiple layers that a single I/O request must pass through in a virtual environment. If each I/O is performed for a single file fragment, performance is critically slowed down, and this condition can even lead to an inability to run more VMs.
In dealing with fragmentation, there is also the need for coordination of shared I/O resources across the platform. A simple defragmentation solution will cut across the production needs of VMs, simply because the effective prioritizing of I/Os is not done.
There is also a situation of virtual disk “bloat”-- wasted disk space that takes place when virtual disks are set to dynamically grow but don’t then shrink when users or applications remove data.
Although these barriers are multiple, there is a single answer to them: virtual platform disk optimization technology. The first barrier, fragmentation, is dealt with by preventing a majority of it before it even occurs. Files existing in as few fragments as possible means I/O reads and writes are occurring at maximum speed. Resources are also coordinated across the platform so that VM production needs are fully taken into account.
Such software also contains a compaction feature so that wasted disk space can be easily eliminated.
These barriers can frustrate the management of virtual environments. Fortunately, IT personnel can solve them with a single virtual machine optimization solution.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Keeping Virtual Machines at High Speed
Every day, there is more innovation involving the use of virtual machines. For example, development is underway to virtualize user PCs when they are not in use, so that the physical machines can be shut down and power can be saved. In another example, virtual machines have given a considerable boost to cloud computing, and new cloud platforms and cloud system management options are constantly appearing on the horizon. Overall, it is clear that virtual machine technology has blown the door to our future wide open.
From a user standpoint, virtual technology will only become simpler. A few keystrokes and a new virtual machine is launched, complete with an operating system and the applications required for the particular tasks they are needed for. As with all computing technology, however, beneath that simple interface there is much occurring—various resources are being shared and coordinated so that work smoothly occurs across multiple platforms and environments.
The simplicity and speed which virtualization provides, however, can be heavily impacted if several key issues are not addressed.
The basic level of I/O reads and writes is one which can determine the speed of the entire environment. Fragmentation, originally developed to make better use of hard drive space, causes files to be split into thousands or tens of thousands of pieces (fragments). Because many extra I/Os are then required for reading and writing, performance can slow to a crawl, and I/O bandwidth will quickly bottleneck.
Due to the multiple layers that an I/O request must pass through within a virtual environment, fragmentation has even more of an impact that it does in hardware-platform-only circumstances. It can even lead to an inability to launch and run more virtual machines.
In virtual environments, fragmentation cannot be dealt with utilizing a simple defragmentation solution. This is because such a solution does not effectively prioritize I/Os, and shared I/O resources are therefore not coordinated.
A condition also exists within virtual environments that can be referred to as virtual disk “bloat.” This is wasted disk space that occurs when virtual disks are set to dynamically grow but don’t then shrink when users or applications remove data.
All of these issues, fortunately, are answered by a single solution: virtual platform disk optimization technology. Fragmentation itself is dealt with by preventing a majority of it before it even occurs. When files exist in a non-fragmented state, far fewer read and write I/Os are needed to handle them, and speed is vastly improved. Virtual machine production needs are fully taken into account as resources are fully coordinated. Wasted disk space is easily eliminated with a compaction feature.
These basic problems can keep virtual technology from providing the simplicity, speed and considerable savings in resources that it should. They can now all be handled with a single virtual machine optimization solution.
From a user standpoint, virtual technology will only become simpler. A few keystrokes and a new virtual machine is launched, complete with an operating system and the applications required for the particular tasks they are needed for. As with all computing technology, however, beneath that simple interface there is much occurring—various resources are being shared and coordinated so that work smoothly occurs across multiple platforms and environments.
The simplicity and speed which virtualization provides, however, can be heavily impacted if several key issues are not addressed.
The basic level of I/O reads and writes is one which can determine the speed of the entire environment. Fragmentation, originally developed to make better use of hard drive space, causes files to be split into thousands or tens of thousands of pieces (fragments). Because many extra I/Os are then required for reading and writing, performance can slow to a crawl, and I/O bandwidth will quickly bottleneck.
Due to the multiple layers that an I/O request must pass through within a virtual environment, fragmentation has even more of an impact that it does in hardware-platform-only circumstances. It can even lead to an inability to launch and run more virtual machines.
In virtual environments, fragmentation cannot be dealt with utilizing a simple defragmentation solution. This is because such a solution does not effectively prioritize I/Os, and shared I/O resources are therefore not coordinated.
A condition also exists within virtual environments that can be referred to as virtual disk “bloat.” This is wasted disk space that occurs when virtual disks are set to dynamically grow but don’t then shrink when users or applications remove data.
All of these issues, fortunately, are answered by a single solution: virtual platform disk optimization technology. Fragmentation itself is dealt with by preventing a majority of it before it even occurs. When files exist in a non-fragmented state, far fewer read and write I/Os are needed to handle them, and speed is vastly improved. Virtual machine production needs are fully taken into account as resources are fully coordinated. Wasted disk space is easily eliminated with a compaction feature.
These basic problems can keep virtual technology from providing the simplicity, speed and considerable savings in resources that it should. They can now all be handled with a single virtual machine optimization solution.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
As The Virtual World Turns...Optimize It
Virtual machine technology has rapidly expanded since being introduced a few short years ago. Now virtual servers are launched and perform many different types of tasks, and have moved over to take an important role in storage. Virtual machines are now proliferating to become part of the desktop environment—and it appears that PCs will soon be replaced by ultra-thin clients (aka zero clients) that simply act as interfaces for virtual machines.
It appears that our not so distant future will be ensconced completely in the cloud—and nearly all of our computing actions will be virtual. Technologies continue to be evolved to make this possible; the one thing that users, IT staff and corporate executives will not sacrifice is speed of access to data and rapidity of processing. Hence, anything which gets in the way of such performance must be firmly addressed.
As an ever-increasing amount of our computing becomes virtual, the speed of interaction between hardware hosts and virtual machines becomes more critical. Coordination of virtual machines also becomes vital—especially as the quantity of these increases.
Speed of access is dependent upon a basic computer operation: I/O reads and writes. In fact, that level is so important it can actually have a considerable impact on the entire environment. Many additional I/Os can be required for reads and writes when files are in a state of fragmentation. Originally developed for better utilization of hard drive space, fragmentation causes files to be split into tens or hundreds of thousands of pieces (fragments). Because of the additional I/Os required to read and write fragmented files, performance is seriously slowed down and I/O bandwidth bottlenecks occur frequently.
Within a virtual environment, an I/O request must pass through multiple layers. Because of this, fragmentation has even more of a profound impact in a virtual environment than it does in a strictly hardware platform. Left alone, it can even lead to an inability to launch and run more virtual machines.
Due to the complexity of virtual environments, a simple defragmentation solution won’t properly address the situation. In addition to fragmentation itself, I/Os must be prioritized so that shared I/O resources can be properly coordinated. Fragmentation in virtual environments also causes virtual disk “bloat”, in which virtual disks are set to dynamically grow but don’t then shrink when users or applications remove data.
State of the art virtual platform disk optimization technology addresses all of these issues. A majority of fragmentation is actually prevented before it occurs. Virtual machine resources are fully coordinated, and wasted virtual disk space is eliminated with a compaction feature.
As our computing world continues to become increasingly virtual and move into the cloud, keep that world turning with competent optimization.
It appears that our not so distant future will be ensconced completely in the cloud—and nearly all of our computing actions will be virtual. Technologies continue to be evolved to make this possible; the one thing that users, IT staff and corporate executives will not sacrifice is speed of access to data and rapidity of processing. Hence, anything which gets in the way of such performance must be firmly addressed.
As an ever-increasing amount of our computing becomes virtual, the speed of interaction between hardware hosts and virtual machines becomes more critical. Coordination of virtual machines also becomes vital—especially as the quantity of these increases.
Speed of access is dependent upon a basic computer operation: I/O reads and writes. In fact, that level is so important it can actually have a considerable impact on the entire environment. Many additional I/Os can be required for reads and writes when files are in a state of fragmentation. Originally developed for better utilization of hard drive space, fragmentation causes files to be split into tens or hundreds of thousands of pieces (fragments). Because of the additional I/Os required to read and write fragmented files, performance is seriously slowed down and I/O bandwidth bottlenecks occur frequently.
Within a virtual environment, an I/O request must pass through multiple layers. Because of this, fragmentation has even more of a profound impact in a virtual environment than it does in a strictly hardware platform. Left alone, it can even lead to an inability to launch and run more virtual machines.
Due to the complexity of virtual environments, a simple defragmentation solution won’t properly address the situation. In addition to fragmentation itself, I/Os must be prioritized so that shared I/O resources can be properly coordinated. Fragmentation in virtual environments also causes virtual disk “bloat”, in which virtual disks are set to dynamically grow but don’t then shrink when users or applications remove data.
State of the art virtual platform disk optimization technology addresses all of these issues. A majority of fragmentation is actually prevented before it occurs. Virtual machine resources are fully coordinated, and wasted virtual disk space is eliminated with a compaction feature.
As our computing world continues to become increasingly virtual and move into the cloud, keep that world turning with competent optimization.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Safeguarding Performance of Virtual Systems
A company implementing virtual machine technology can expect to reap great rewards. Where before a new server installed would have meant a new physical machine (at the least a rack mount)—along with the power to run it and the space to house it—a server can now be fully deployed and run on an existing hardware platform. It will have everything the physical server would have had, including its own instance of an operating system, applications and tools, but no footprint and a tiny fraction of the once-required power.
In addition to the footprint savings, virtual machines also bring speed to the table. It can be deployed and up and running in minutes instead of hours. It allows users to deploy their own machines—something unheard of in the past. It means a great time savings for users and IT personnel alike.
Virtual technology is now being used for many purposes. For example, it brings a great boost to Storage Area Network (SAN) technology which, in itself, takes an enormous amount of stress off of a system by moving storage traffic off the main production network.
Without proper optimization, however, virtual technology cannot bring the full benefits on which an enterprise depends. A major reason is that virtual technology—along with SAN and other recent innovations—relies, in the end, on the physical hard drive. The drive itself suffers from file fragmentation, which is the state of files and free space being scattered in pieces (fragments) all over the drive. Fragmentation causes severe I/O bottlenecks in virtual systems, due to accelerated fragmentation across multiple platforms.
Virtualization suffers from other issues that are also the result of not being optimized. Virtual machine competition for shared I/O resources is not effectively prioritized across the platform, and virtual disks set to dynamically grow do not resize when data is deleted; instead, free space is wasted.
It is vital that any company implementing virtual technology—and any technology in which it is put to use, such as SAN—employ an underlying solution for optimizing virtual machines. Such a solution optimizes the entire virtual platform, operating invisibly with zero system resource conflicts, so that most fragmentation is prevented from occurring at all. The overall effect is that
unnecessary I/Os passed from the OS to the disk subsystem are minimized, and data is aligned on the drives for previously unattainable levels of speed and reliability.
Additionally, a tool is provided so that space is recovered on virtual disks that have been set to grow dynamically.
Such a virtualization optimization solution should be the foundation of any virtual machine scheme for all enterprises.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Fragmentation Prevention and Virtualization
From a long-term viewpoint, virtualization has always been a primary goal of computing. The extreme of this term, of course, would be virtual environments, such as those found on the holodeck of the fictional starship Enterprise, where entire worlds can be virtualized at will. Although R&D labs are secretly working to get us closer to such a scenario, we’re not there yet and probably have a ways to go. What we do have, though, is something almost equally as fascinating from a technical standpoint: virtual computers.
We have now reached the point where a user can actually generate and launch a virtual server within minutes. The server shares hardware resources with several others, but exists as its own whole and independent computing entity. Advances continue to be made; it has recently been announced that such virtual environments can be rapidly moved to a third-party cloud, with replications of the exact local configurations and architecture. It’s almost (but not quite) a case of “hardware, what hardware?”
In fact, because a virtual server creates the illusion of existing independent of its host hardware, there can be an apparency that it doesn’t suffer from the prime performance enemy of physical hard drives: file fragmentation. But even a quick examination of how a virtual server works will show that not only do virtual servers suffer from fragmentation, but fragmentation can have an even more severe effect than on physical servers.
The data being utilized by a virtual machine is still being saved on a hard drive. A single drive or set of drives is supporting a number of virtual machines—called “guest systems”—and data from all of those machines is saved on the drive or set of drives on what is called the “host system.”
A virtual machine has its own I/O request which is relayed to the host system. Hence, multiple I/O requests are occurring for each file request—minimally, one request for the guest system, then another for the host system. When files are split into hundreds or thousands of fragments (not at all uncommon) it means the generation of multiple I/O requests for each fragment of every file. This action is multiplied by the number of virtual machines resident on any host server, and doing the math it can be easily seen that the result is seriously degraded performance.
It is obvious that keeping files in a defragmented state is the answer to virtualization performance. But just as virtualization technology continues to advance, so does performance technology. A solution now exists to automatically prevent a majority of fragmentation before it even occurs, making fragmentation nearly a thing of the past.
Virtual environments do suffer from fragmentation. All sites utilizing this fantastic technology should take care to make sure fragmentation is fully addressed, so that the full benefit of these incredible advances can be realized.
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