Understanding Virtualization and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Dawie Human

Infrastructure ArchitectInobits ConsultingVIR202

Session Objectives and Takeaways

Session Objective: Understand the design and operational issues specific to running SharePoint in a virtualized environment

Learn basic tuning tips for using SharePoint on Hyper-V

Agenda

Understanding differences between physical hardware and Hyper-VOptimizations for running SharePoint on Hyper-VPerformance comparison of Hyper-V vs. physical hardwareUnderstanding SharePoint roles in a virtualized environmentManaging your virtualized environment

Understanding Differences Between Physical

Hardware and Hyper-V

There are differences between physical hardware and the virtual implementation of that hardware in a Hyper-V image. Many of these differences are subtle and not obvious at first blush when configuring a Hyper-V image. This section will attempt to highlight some of the important differences and explain how that impacts your virtual image design.

NUMA NodesWhat are they and why do we care?

Processors, logical processors and coresSynthetic devices

Provide better performance, you should always target using a device you can access with a synthetic driver

There is no real apples to apples comparison

Understanding Differences Between Physical Hardware and Hyper-V

There are a number of configuration changes to be considered when building your Hyper-V environment. If you just go with the out-of-the-box configuration, you will likely see a significant drop in throughput compared to similar physical hardware. This section will offer some specific changes to make and the reasons why they are important.

Optimizations for Running SharePoint on Hyper-V

Memory

Integration Components (IC)Enlightenments

Synthetic drivers

Guest OSWin2K3

Win2K8

Optimizations for Running SharePoint on Hyper-V

IPv4

Host roles

Make the right disk choice

Do not over-utilize the Host

Completely virtualized environment may benefit from isolated network

Private for back channel, external for web traffic

Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP) – http://www.microsoft.com/MAP

Optimizations for Running SharePoint on Hyper-V (cont.)

In this section we will look at some specific data to compare the differences between SharePoint running on physical hardware versus on Hyper-V. We will also try some testing with some of the different Hyper-V configuration changes to see what impact it has on overall throughput.

Performance comparison of Hyper-V vs. Physical Hardware

Single server farm

Medium farm

Medium farm with both images on same host versus single server and medium farm on physical servers

Live tests and perfmon countersFor an exhaustive list read Tony Voellm’s blog at http://blogs.msdn.com/tvoellm. There are four posts in total, all in May 2008.

Performance Comparison of Hyper-V vs. Physical Hardware

What should you monitor

Overall health: Hyper-V Virtual Machine Health Summary Hyper-V Hypervisor Counter Set

Processor: Hyper-V Hypervisor Logical Processor Hyper-V Hypervisor Root Virtual Processor Hyper-V Hypervisor Virtual Processor

What should you monitor (2)

Memory: Hyper-V Root PartitionHyper-V VM Vid Partition

Networking: Hyper-V Virtual Switch Hyper-V Legacy Network Adapter Hyper-V Virtual Network Adapter

What should you monitor (3)

Storage: Physical Disk • Current Disk Queue Length – 2 per physical drive• Disk Bytes / Sec – 10 MB/sec per drive• Disk Transfers / Sec – 100 IOs per sec / driveHyper-V Virtual Storage Device

Read Bytes / SecHyper-V Virtual IDE Controller

Read Bytes / SecWrite Bytes / Sec

Bigger number is better (HV -7.2%) Smaller number is better (HV -4.4%)

Performance Comparison – Single Server Farm

Bigger number is better (HV -11.6%) Smaller number is better (HV -13.9%)

Performance Comparison – Medium Farm

Bigger number is better Smaller number is better

Performance Comparison – Medium Farm, Different Host Configurations

SharePoint and Hyper-Vdemo

There are different roles in a SharePoint server farm, but not every one of them is an ideal candidate for virtualization. Some roles are not even specific to SharePoint and so are not likely to be tested in a manner specific to use with SharePoint. This section breaks down the different roles and their suitability for virtualization.

Understanding SharePoint Roles in a Virtualized Environment

WFEApplication servers like Excel Services we are generally lumping in this category for now

Query

IndexNot tested, but pass-through disks are of interest

SQLFor now, deferring to guidance from SQL team

All RolesSnapshots not currently supported, may change in future

Understanding SharePoint Roles in a Virtualized Environment

Managing Your Virtualized Environment

Now that you have established a virtualized environment, you will need tools and processes to manage that environment as servers are added or changed, new roles are considered for virtualization, etc.

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Related Content

Breakout Sessions

• OFC202 Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server 2007: Overview and Roadmap to 2010• WTB233 Microsoft Virtualisation – Desktop to data Centre

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© 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS,

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