Take a look at this video segment from Paul Ottelini's keynote today at IDF. Very interesting on where the technology is headed and what the consumer wishes technology could do for them. Very cool stuff......

In that case, iSCSI or FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet) could be used for the SAN connection, still using the same high-speed ports. Standards like Data Center Bridging (DCB) could add a lossless character to the 10GbE link to make it friendlier to FCoE.

Few new solutions though come without new challenges. The common way for VMs to share I/O devices in a today’s environment in through mediation of the hypervisor, using emulation or para-virtualization. That reduces the effective I/O bandwidth. It also becomes a fairly significant overhead to the server in its own right, reducing the available server capacity for application processing, and it adds latency. With the growing trend in IT to treat virtualization as a default deployment mode for any application, these issues become quite limiting.

We at Intel have thought that the best way to overcome these issues is by using “direct assignment”. Using the Intel® VT-d technology (launched in the Xeon 5500 platform), a VM can be assigned a dedicated I/O device. This nearly eliminates the overheard related to the hypervisor mediation I mentioned above. A side benefit is that it increases the VM to VM isolation and security. But assigning an individual I/O device to one VM is not very scalable…

This is where the PCI-SIG’s SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) standard comes into play. This standard allows a single I/O device to present itself as multiple virtual devices. With SR-IOV, each virtual device can be assigned to a VM, adding scalability to the direct assignment model, effectively allowing the physical I/O to be shared yet with greater security and reliability.

Another challenge with the direct assignment model is related to live migration. Hypervisors have typically assumed the SW mediated IOV model. As a result, hypervisors need to be modified to adapt their live migration solutions to direct assignment.

These technologies span many different components of the server platform. Intel® VT-d is necessary, so Xeon 5500 must be used (or later platforms). SR-IOV capable I/O devices – NICs or Storage controllers, are required. BIOS must be modified, as well as hypervisor software. This is pretty heavy lifting.

So you can only imagine how excited I am to be able to showcase 4 different SR-IOV demos at IDF next week! The demos involve 2 server vendors, 3 VMM vendors – 3 different vendors implementing 3 different hypervisor architectures, and 3 different IHVs representing 2 different I/O technologies. We show the performance improvements, as well as VM live-migration. It works!

Come and see it (Booths 517, 707, 709, and 711 in the IDF showcase)!

A virtual workstation uses both virtualization hardware and software technologies that, when combined, provides end users with an uncompromised workstation experience.  It gives engineers and IT user’s concurrent access to key workstation hardware functions previously not available with traditional virtualization technologies. Through this approach, you get near native access to key workstation services, such as those delivered by graphics cards or NICS, needed to run multiple high-performance applications regardless of the operating system they run on. . Best of all, with Intel® Virtualization technology for directed I/O, delivered by Parallels Workstation Extreme, you will be able to leverage this new virtual workstation capability in ways that improve workflows across operating systems while reducing IT management requirements.  This is a win/win for both you and IT.

Ok we have segregated compute resources between IT and the user. 

What can you get with Intel’s VT/d technology? 

How many times have you been faced with a need to run an application that runs on a prehistoric OS, or that runs 32 bit OS when your entire environment is running on 64 bit? Or maybe you need run two different graphics-intensive workloads in a LINUX and Microsoft Windows® environment.  With Intel VT-d and Parallels™ Workstation Extreme software you may be able to do just that at near-native speeds.

What else can you do with a virtualized workstation?

Have you ever been in a situation where one application requires version X and another application you use daily requires version Y of the same OS.  With Intel VT/d and Parallels™ Extreme® software you may be able run both at near native performance at the same time.  No rebooting, no dual booting or emulation required.  Just fast, seamless answers to complex problems – across multiple segments like Oil & Gas, DCC, Manufacturing, and Research.

Ever hear of a digital workbench?

It is a tool that designers and engineers use to perform what many call digital prototyping or simulation based engineering.  It is usually a set of tools that combine needs for LINUX and Microsoft Window® based applications to create and test their ideas.  Think of a virtual wind tunnel where simulations are performed in a LINUX environment and the design and visualization is performed in a friendly Microsoft Windows® environment.  With Intel VT-d and Parallels Workstation Extreme you can do both at near native speed.  That means interactive product development and engineering, and that leads to potentially better deigns in less time.

Do you need a virtualized workstation?

If you have a need to run applications in different OSes, diverse OS levels or types, or you need to visualize in different OSes, then answer is probably yes.

To learn more about Intel Virtualization Technology please visit www.intel.com/go/workstation.

To see an online demo of Parallels™ Workstation Extreme software please visit http://www.parallels.com/products/extreme

Each of the last 3 years, Rich Uhlig, myself and the rest of our colleagues at Intel focused on virtualization technologies, have had the enviable task of participating in two of the technology industry's biggest events. It is always a pleasure to stretch one abilities, work longer hours than you ever thought capable, work on great product introductions, develop new business models and help to redefine an industry while using these events to make your announcements. This week VMWare's VMworld was held in San Francisco with over 11,000 participants focused on virtualization technology. Intel VP and GM Doug Fisher delivered a keynote on "Transforming Flexible Computing", which nicely communicated the message that Rich delivers in the attached video on the Intel Channel on YouTube. We also announced the support of VMWare View and Intel vPro technology with VMWare's Jocelyn Goldfein. This culminates over 2 years worth of work for our engineering and development teams on bringing together 2 of the virtualization industry's leading platforms.

         This announcement is the beginning of an era of Virtualization Flexibility. Each day we are seeing new usage models emerging, virtualization finding new ways to allow users more flexibility in the Data Center, on the handheld and with their desktop form factors. As we approach IDF 2009, both Rich and I, will be hosting courses on these emerging models and architectural directions. Rich will be hosting a course on architecture, while I have the pleasure of hosting a panel with Simon Crosby, Mike Neil, Ed Bugnion, Lew Tucker and Orran Krieger. It is quite a line up. In addition, one of our colleagues, Charlton Barreto has some breakthrough new usage models to demonstrate that we believe are outstanding. All of these will be available in the IDF Virtualization community for the 3rd year in row. I personally feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such interesting and talented individuals everyday. The conferences provide an opportunity for us to share our enthusiasm for technology, our enthusiasm for innovation and our commitment to excellence with the rest of the world. The feedback has been great and required for us to continue to innovate.

         Come see us, tell us and push us to build technology that delivers value in the way you work, live and play. It is a challenge we embrace and we are thankful we have the opportunity to take action.

See you at IDF!

I have written in the past about key IT considerations while implementing virtualization.

One of the key elements that change going from a non-virtualized environment to virtual environment is the security model. The security model needs some additional considerations going to virtual environment.

I and a few of my colleagues who meet with IT end customers deploying virtualization on a regular basis have realized that there are some frequently asked questions/concerns and also misconceptions about protection in virtualized environment.

We also did a bit of research on types of documents available to help IT understand the topic of security model in virtualized environment better, but found most articles to be either outright dismissive of security concerns or took a very opposite theoretical and conservative view on lack of security.

So with the help of our architects we developed the below white paper with an intent to help IT managers, strategists and implementers understand resource protection in virtualized environment better. We also address some of the frequently asked questions and typical misconceptions with security in virtual datacenter.

The white paper essentially takes a balanced view and provides an overview of security model changes, challenges and considerations that organizations must address when implementing virtualization. It introduces hardware, software, and policy measures available to help address those challenges, including their strengths and limitations and then closes with a brief discussion of some key issues associated with security in emerging cloud computing usage models.

Let us know what you feel.

Japan announced today that it has emerged from recession, following Germany and France’s announcements last week that their economies also grew in the second quarter. 

Moody’s Economy.com Business Confidence survey shows that confidence has been steadily increasing since March ‘09.

For the first time since September ’08, “Economic Recovery” nudges above “Economic Crisis” in Google Search Volume in early August. 

In addition to this, economic forecasts (WW GDP, US GDP, and EU GDP) point to a recovery over the next 6 months.  A couple of quotes:

• The direction of real GDP is even expected to turn from negative to positive in the current quarter. The academic arbiters of the business cycle at the National Bureau of Economic Research will eventually proclaim that the Great Recession ended sometime this summer.
         Moody’s Economy.Com – July 7, 2009
• The global economy is beginning to pull out of a recession unprecedented in the post–World War II era
         International Monetary Fund, imf.org – July 8, 2009

So, why am I bombarding this blog with various optimistic economic data? Because if we really are pulling out of the abyss, I’m worried that many companies out there are sitting on servers that will not be ready for the increased demand right around the corner.         

John Gantz, IDC Vice President in his keynote speech at the start of this year’s CIO Summit in Auckland was quoted as saying there will be an unprecedented amount of IT-driven change in the next four years.  He projected that there will be a three-fold rise in mobile users and information will grow five-fold, resulting in heightened levels of security and privacy and questions on which data to store or throw away. He also mentioned that the number of interactions between people on networks will grow eight times.

So this got me thinking… Is your company looking to differentiate and go after more market share while your competitors are hunkered down and not investing in the downturn? My guess is that there are a lot of IT managers being asked to support more social media, offer more SaaS, deploy more virtual machines, and support more real time analytics to get a leg up on the competition.  My gut tells me that it will be hard to do all of this with older servers that were put into another year of extended warranty because that felt like the right move when the proverbial economic s**t hit the fan last year. 

It’s critical to be prepared for when the recovery comes, and data points to an economic turnaround happening now – are you positioning your department to own it when it arrives?

Bryce

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Intel's Chief Virtualization Architect Rich Uhlig to discuss the new usage models and virtualization technologies in Intel new Xeon 5500 series platform. Rich and I have been friends and colleagues for several years and the video of our discussion is attached and can be viewed on Youtube. The conversation sparked some interesting questions from my colleagues, friends and children which I thought I would share with a wider audience.

First the questions from my son's (I have three boys...yes this means that my wife has the patience of a saint):

Dad, what is virtualization? Does that mean you can take people and computers and teleport them to new places, like Star Trek? Did Intel invent virtualization? Why do you think it is so cool? When I grow up, can I be virtualized?

My Answer:

Slow down.....slow down...let me try to answer the questions one at a time.

Virtualization is the ability to increase computer, network and storage utilization with multiple operating systems or logical machines, called virtual machines. This allows Dad and his friends to use more of their computers with different applications and devices. Using virtualization allows Dad and his friends to save money, save power and increase efficiency.

Response (My three son's in unison):

Boring! I thought you said your job is cool. Your such a geek......(trailing off and looking at their iPods)

My response:

Guys, hold on...let me explain. Virtualization technology IS cool. While it wasn't invented by Intel, we have worked with an industry of incredibly gifted engineers, architects and designers to create new ways for people to use their computer technology....and the best part is we are only in the beginning. By the time you are an adult you will have the opportunity to use virtualization technology in ways we are only beginning to imagine. Think of virtualization as a journey and evolution of computer technology for Dad and his friends to maximize the use of the computers that we buy/build. Hopefully, with more innovation and computer technology advances you will be able to create a virtualization layer that will allow you and your digital identity to "teleport" to new places in a virtual cloud. You won't be "virtualized" but you will be able to create your digital environment wherever there is a machine that can understand your commands. That is pretty cool. Think of it this way, you can save and play your Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation or XBox profiles on any machine, any where in the world that can download your profile.

Response (from my 13 year old):

You mean I can play EA's Madden Football 24 hours a day with my friends, even when we are on vacation and you want me to see some historic landmark, like the Lincoln Memorial?

My response:

Well...yes but not exactly what I had in mind. (aargh!)

A recent question from my friend from a former job on Virtualization:

I hear the new Intel chip, Nehalem (formerly known as the Intel Xeon 5500 series), is the best product you guys have released in a long time, What makes the product so good, is it the virtualization technology that you work on?

My response:

     Virtualization technology provides increased instrumentation and flexibility for the Intel Xeon 5500 series platform but it is only one a host of fantastic features which make this product the best we have ever released. For Data Center managers, increased efficiency is an every day part of life. Nehalem offers increased performance, increase memory capacity, a new Quick Path Interconnect (which acts like a NUMA switch fabric on silicon, remember that cool product we launched in 1997 at Sequent Computers?) and a 2nd generation of virtualization capabilities that deliver native virtualization instruction capabilities for VMWare, Microsoft, Citrix and a host of Xen providers. It is a truly a breakthrough server product. With this new architecture and design characteristics we are able to meet the needs of a platform of new Virtualization usage models including: Rapid Application Deployment, High Availability, Virtual Desktop Infrastructures and Server Consolidation. It is a very exciting time...

My friend's response:

     Very cool. I miss working on hardware innovations...sounds like you guys at Intel are up to something special. Should I buy the stock?

My response:

     Thanks. Intel is a great place to work and we are doing some very cool product innovations. Do we always have to talk about stock price?

Finally, a recent question from a dear colleague:

     What happens if virtualization technology is deployed on every platform that Intel ships? Won't business and consumers need less devices? Won't users no longer have an insatiable demand for compute, network and storage resources?

My Answer:

    Funny you should ask that question. Rich Uhlig, Fernando Martins, Rick Olha, RK and I have debated this exact question for years. The answer is simple. Virtualization increases demand for more resources than ever before. In fact, until the recent economic downturn virtualization technology was cited by a Citigroup analyst as the key driver to Server growth in 2H 2007. For the first time in over 10 years the markets average selling price was increasing. Why? Because users could do more with every server they purchased. Virtualization actually facilitiates more usages on more application development and production environments than ever before. As we increase the performance of the instruction sets and Intel Microarchitectures we increase the capabilities that virtualization can impact for new usage models, while preserving some the legacy compatibility that users require for 32-bit application workloads. Simply stated, "we can do more with less!"

Next question (by the way this was a skeptical Intel exec.):

     Doing more with less is fine...but what about our volumes for server products? what happens when virtualization is prevalent across all of Intel CPU and Platform offerings?

My response:

    Flexibility and control are critical to all of our customers regardless of form factor. Is there anything worse then buying a new server, PC or handheld and having application compatibility errors? No. Do we really believe the world wants to become software compatibility specialists everytime Microsoft releases a new operating system? What about Dell, HP, Lenovo, IBM, Acer, Nokia, Motorola, LG, Samsung, RIM and HTC? It has taken us over 10 years of research, testing and product development to get here. Virtualization is a "Hot Topic" today and will be in the future because it makes a positive difference in our customers lives both financially and efficiently. Our job is deliver the greatest silicon products the world has ever seen, over and over and over again. Virtualization allows us to do that AND preserve the investments our customers and software partners make in developing their own operating environments. What is cooler than that? Virtualization facilitates innovation, consumption and utilization, our customers are telling us this everyday. Innovation is critical to this process, enabling our software colleagues is a must and opening up the discussion is part of the process.

Her response:

     Well, I guess you are pretty passionate about virtualization?

My response:

     I hope so...that is why you hired me.

Have a listen, enjoy the video and join the discussion of Rich and I. For us, Virtualization is a very Hot topic, that we have thought is Cool for a very long time.

Mike Lafferty (Intel) demonstrates the Xeon 5500 Processor series, code-named Nehalem. Check out the video....