DELL ACTIVE SYSTEM 800 CONVERGED INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTION: USER COLLABORATION PERFORMANCE Businesses require infrastructure that is flexible, rapid to deploy, and scalable, while servicing end users with room to grow. The time required to spec, install, and configure hardware can add delays to deployment, and the management of complex networking configurations can weigh down an IT staff after deployment.
FLEXIBLE CONVERGENCE WITH POWER Deploying a successful and efficient blade infrastructure can be a daunting task. That’s why Dell created the Dell Active System 800 converged infrastructure solution – a tested, complete solution that can provide you with the performance you need to support your workloads today and scale to meet your future needs.
alongside multiple heavy order-processing applications, all with resources left for future expansion. This means that users can expect excellent application response on the Active System 800, even when running heavy workloads and performing simultaneous everyday application tasks.
our original test (see Figure 2). Additionally, the order-processing capacity approximately doubled the prior output, showing near-linear scaling. Workload Order-processing workload Measurement 126,448 orders per minute 10.217ms latency (<50ms is acceptable) 1.662 messages per second 8.004 requests per second 8.302 IMs per second Microsoft Exchange Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Lync Server Figure 2. Results from heavy workload testing of Microsoft collaboration and database workloads.
Power management without compromise Using Dell OpenManage Power Center, which allows data center managers to place energy usage caps on resources, we restricted the available power to the Dell PowerEdge M620 servers at 58 percent of their upper bound energy usage. The solution still delivered close to the same performance for the collaboration users and four heavy order-processing workloads (see Figures 4 and 5). Workload Order-processing workload Measurement 127,753 orders per minute 14.
ABOUT THE ACTIVE SYSTEM 800 A member of the Active Infrastructure converged infrastructure framework family, the Active System 800 is a comprehensive solution for rapid deployment of a pre-integrated enterprise data center solution. Available in a number of configurations, Dell aims for the Active System 800 to be simple to purchase, configure and maintain, as well as expand to meet additional requirements in the future.
with Lifecycle Controller for Blades, which allow administrators to manage environments locally or remotely. Along with other members of the M-series PowerEdge server line, the PowerEdge M620 integrates with the power-efficient Dell PowerEdge M1000e blade enclosure. Features of the PowerEdge M I/O Aggregator The PowerEdge M I/O aggregator enables the PowerEdge M1000e blade enclosure to communicate with other devices on your network using fewer physical connections, while providing increased performance.
PowerEdge M1000e and Fabric The Dell PowerEdge M1000e blade chassis and its fabric interconnects are designed for large-scale consolidation and enterprise infrastructure. Features of the PowerEdge M1000e include: Management. Reduces administrative demand by providing a secure centralized management interface for the chassis and blades within, using proven Web (SSLencrypted) and CLI (SSH/Telnet) technologies. Simplified configuration.
About Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP2 Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP2 equips you with a robust communications platform that can also give your users anywhere access, increasing their mobility. Some other key features of Exchange Server 2010 SP2 include Unified Mailbox Resiliency, archiving, and access to the improved Outlook Web Application. About Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 SP1 Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 SP1 is the latest version of Microsoft’s collaboration software.
APPENDIX A - DETAILED CONFIGURATION INFORMATION Figure 6 provides detailed configuration information about the test server blades and chassis.
Server Number of types of memory modules Memory module in first blade Vendor and model number Type Speed (MHz) Speed in the system currently running @ (MHz) Timing/latency (tCL-tRCD-iRP-tRASmin) Size (GB) Number of RAM modules Chip organization Memory module in second blade Vendor and model number Type Speed (MHz) Speed in the system currently running @ (MHz) Timing/latency (tCL-tRCD-iRP-tRASmin) Size (GB) Number of RAM modules Chip organization RAID controller Vendor and model number Firmware version Cache
APPENDIX B - TEST STORAGE INFORMATION Figure 7 provides detailed information for the test storage. We used two of each of the storage arrays for the test configuration. Storage array Number of storage controllers per array RAID level Number of drives per array Drive vendor and model number Drive size (GB) Drive buffer size (MB) Drive RPM Drive type Dell EqualLogic PS-6110XV 2 10 24 (22 active data drives, 2 spares) Seagate ST9900805SS 900 64 10,000 6Gb SAS Figure 7.
APPENDIX C - STORAGE CONFIGURATION FOR PERFORMANCE TESTING We used two Dell EqualLogic PS6110XV arrays, configured in a single group. Each array was cabled to the Dell Force10 S4810 TOR switch via 10Gb network cables. On the group we configured volumes as follows.
Adding the second Dell EqualLogic PS6110XV storage array Connect to the storage array using serial port and terminal utility and complete the following steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Enter the login credentials. When prompted to configure the array, type y. When asked Do you want to proceed?, type Yes . Enter a member name and press Enter. For our testing we chose tray2. Press Enter for the eth0 network interface. Enter an IP address, and press Enter.
APPENDIX D – NETWORK CONFIGURATION FOR PERFORMANCE TESTING We configured the network cabling of the hardware as shown in Figure 8. We used components in an Active System 800 configuration for our network. Auxiliary machines for testing, such as client machines, Active Directory server, and vCenter Server, ran on the LAN. Figure 8. Physical cabling we used in testing. Note in full Active System 800 configuration, multiple ToR switches and further redundancy would be configured.
6. Type no shut and press Enter. 7. Type exit and press Enter. Configuring login credentials 1. Type username admin privilege 15 password 0 password and press Enter, where password is the password you wish to set. 2. Type enable password level 15 0 password and press Enter. Configuring the remaining ports 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Type interface range tengigabitethernet 0/0 – 43 and press Enter. Type mtu 12000 and press Enter. Type portmode hybrid and press Enter. Type switchport and press Enter.
APPENDIX E – SERVER INSTALLATION, CONFIGURATION, AND GUEST OPERATING SYSTEM INSTALLATION We installed both PowerEdge M620 servers with VMware vSphere 5.1 build 799733 from the Dell Recovery CD, available from dell.com at http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/04/DriverDetails/Product/poweredgem620?driverId=XWYR5&osCode=XI51&fileId=3005015335. We installed vSphere to each server’s internal SD card. Adjusting BIOS settings We used the latest released BIOS updates on the Dell PowerEdge M620, version 1.2.6.
3. Start the vCenter Server VM and perform basic installation steps, such as setting the name, IP, credentials, and so on. 4. Connect to the vCenter Server via the vSphere web client, create a cluster, and add each Dell PowerEdge M620 to the cluster. Configuring the external volumes in VMware vSphere 5.1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. In the vSphere web client, select the host. Click the Configuration tab. Click Storage, and click Add Storage… Choose Disk/LUN.
Cloning the base VM 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. In the vSphere Client, connect to the vCenter Server, and browse to the ESXi host. Right-click on the VM you wish to clone and click Clone. Name your VM and click Next. Select your host and click Next. Select the appropriate OS datastore and click Next. Select Do not customize and click Next. Review your settings and click Finish.
APPENDIX F – ACTIVE DIRECTORY INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION We installed an Active Directory domain controller on a virtual machine connected to the testing network. Installing Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Enterprise Edition 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Mount the installation DVD for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Enterprise to the VM. At the Language Selection Screen, click Next. Click Install Now. Select Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise (Full Installation), and click Next.
7. Click Install. 8. Click Close. Installing Certificate Services on Active Directory server 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Click StartAdministrative ToolsServer Manager. Click RolesAdd Roles. Click Next on the Before You Begin window. Check Active Directory Certificate Services, and click Next. Click Next on the Introduction window. Check Certification Authority and Certification Authority Web Enrollment, and click Add Required Role Services on the pop-up window.
Verifying Replication 1. On the domain controller, click StartAdministrative ToolsActive Directory Users and Computers 2. Expand the domain name and click Users. 3. In the right pane, confirm that there are nine CS groups (shown below) within the Users to verify that the replication of the Forest Preparation was successful.
APPENDIX G – MICROSOFT LYNC SERVER INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION We installed Microsoft Lync Server 2010 on a VM residing on the second of two Dell PowerEdge M620 servers. Configuring the Lync Server VM After cloning, modify the Lync Server VM to contain the following settings: Memory: 8GB Virtual processors: 4 Joining the domain 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Power on the VM. Click StartControl PanelNetwork ConnectionsLocal Area Connection. Click Properties.
Adding Desktop Experience 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Click StartAdministrative ToolsServer Manager. Click FeaturesAdd Features. Select Desktop Experience, add the required role services, and click Next. Click Install. Reboot when prompted Click Close after rebooting. Adding Directory Service Integration 1. Click StartAdministrative ToolsServer Manager. 2. Click FeaturesAdd Features. 3. Expand Message Queuing, expand Message Queuing Services, and check Directory Service Integration and HTTP Support. 4.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Right-click and select NewFolder. Name the folder share. Right-click the newly created folder, and select Share with Specific people… Enter Everyone, and click Add. Change the permission level for Everyone to Read/Write. Click Share. Click Done. Installing the Topology Builder and preparing the topology 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. Install Topology Builder, and click Next.
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. When installation is complete, click Finish. Click Run on Step 3 – Request, Install, or Assign Certificates. Keep defaults, and click Request. At the Certificate Request screen, click Next. On Delayed or Immediate Request screen, accept the default and click Next. Leave the default selection in the Choose a Certification Authority (CA) screen, and click Next. At the Certification Authority Account, click Next.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Accept the license agreement, and click Next. Keep the default location, and click Next. Leave defaults to install all features, and click Next. Click Next on the Confirmation window. Click Close. Running the stress configuration 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Lync Server2010\LyncStressAndPerfTool\StressConfig. Double-click the StressConfig application. Click Load Configuration File. Choose the SampleData files, and click Open.
Configuring Microsoft Lync Client For our testing, we used one physical client machine for the Microsoft Lync Server client. To create this client, we installed Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 and several other software components. We followed this process for the configuration: Joining the domain 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Select StartControl PanelNetwork ConnectionsLocal Area Connection. Click Properties. Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and click Properties.
Installing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package 1. Download the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package here: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/confirmation.aspx?id=15336 2. Double-click the application to start the install. 3. Click Run. 4. Click Next on the Welcome window. 5. Accept the license agreement, and click Install. 6. Click Finish. Installing Lync Server Stress and Performance Tool 1. Download the stress and performance tool here http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.
APPENDIX H – MICROSOFT EXCHANGE INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION We installed Microsoft Exchange 2010 SP2 on a VM residing on the first of two Dell PowerEdge M620 servers.
8. At the Select Role Services screen, select the IIS 6 Metabase Compatibility, IIS 6 Management Console, Basic Authentication, Windows Authentication, Digest Authentication, Static content compression, and Dynamic content Compression checkboxes, and click Next. 9. At the Confirm Installation Selections screen, click Install. 10. At the Installation Results screen, click Close. Installing Microsoft Filter Pack 2.0 1. Download the Microsoft Filter Pack 2.0. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.
Installing SP2 for Microsoft Exchange 2010 1. Download Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Exchange 2010 (Exchange2010-SP2-x64.exe) from http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28190 to c:\SP2 on the VM. 2. Double-click the downloaded file to extract the installation files. 3. Click OK to accept the destination directory for the extracted files. 4. Double-click setup.exe to launch the installer. 5. Click Install Microsoft Exchange Server upgrade. 6. At the Introduction screen, click Next. 7.
14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. If the application prompts you to dismount, click Yes. Click Finish. Right-click Public Folder Database, and select Properties. Check the Enable circular logging checkbox and uncheck the ESE scanning checkbox. Click Customize next to Maintenance interval. Remove all blue from the boxes so the system will not perform maintenance, and click OK. Click OK. On any warnings about circular logging being applied after the database is remounted, click OK.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Click Add Roles. Click the Application Server checkbox. When the Add features required for Application Server? screen appears, click Add Required Features. Click Next. Click Next. At the Select Role Services page for Application Server, click the Web Server (IIS) Support checkbox. Click Add Required Support Role Services. Click Next. Click Next.
APPENDIX I – MICROSOFT SHAREPOINT INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION We installed Microsoft SharePoint 2010 on a VM residing on the second of two Dell PowerEdge M620 servers. Configuring the SharePoint VM After cloning, modify the SharePoint VM to contain the following settings: Memory: 8GB Virtual Processors: 4 Additional virtual disks: o 1 x 250GB virtual disks for database storage (Thick provision lazy zeroed) Joining the domain 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Click the checkbox to accept the license terms, and click Next. If no failures are displayed after the setup support files are installed, click Next. At the Setup Role screen, choose SQL Server Feature Installation.
16. Enter a passphrase into the Passphrase and Confirm Passphrase fields, and click Next. 17. Leave the default settings on the Configure SharePoint Central Administration Web Application screen, and click Next. 18. Verify your settings, and click Next. 19. When the wizard has completed the configuration, click Finish. 20. Choose Run the farm configuration wizard on the Central Administration site. 21. Choose the services you wish to include in your server farm, and click Next. 22.
WSS Data Population Tool Sample.zip o To the SharePoint 2010 test client o WSS Performance Load Tests 3. Complete the following steps on the SharePoint 2010 VM: a. Extract the contents of WSS Data Population Tool RunTime.zip and WSS Data Population Tool Sample.zip. b. Copy the contents of both extracted .zip folders (WSS Data Population Tool Run Time and WSS Data Population Tool Sample) into the root of C: 4. Download SharePtServerDeployment.doc from: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.
serverUrl.csv Under serverUrl replace http://server with http://spserver to match the server name of the SharePoint 2010 VM. HierarchyManagerUsers.csv Under username,password replace domain\username,password with test.local\administrator,Password1 c. Open the WssTestProject.sln file in Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate. d. When prompted, click Next. e. Click Finish. f. When prompted, leave the Retarget the project to .NET Framework 4.
WSSHomePage: Site name WSSSmallDocLibAllItems: Site name, and document library name WSSPutDocumentCoded: Site name 7. Add the following lines of code to the WSSPutDocumentCoded test: [DeploymentItem("officeservertransactions\\siteNames.csv", "officeservertransactions")] [DataSource("Sites", "Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.DataSource.CSV", "|DataDirectory|\\officeservertransactions\\siteNames.csv", Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.WebTesting.DataBindingAccessMethod.Random, Microsoft.VisualStudio.
APPENDIX J – INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING THE DATABASE WORKLOAD For our medium utilization scenario, we installed Microsoft SQL Server 2012 on two VMs, one VM residing on the first of our two Dell PowerEdge M620 servers, and the second VM residing on the second of our two Dell PowerEdge M620 servers.
19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. Enter and confirm a password for the system administrator account. Click Add Current user. This may take several seconds. Click the Data Directories tab and enter the appropriate drive and folders for database and logs. Click Next. At the Error and usage reporting screen, click Next. At the Installation Configuration Rules screen, check that there are no failures or relevant warnings, and click Next. At the Ready to Install screen, click Install.
5. We loaded the data we generated into the database. For data loading, we used the import wizard in SQL Server Management Studio. Where necessary, we retained options from the original scripts, such as Enable Identity Insert. 6. We created indices, full-text catalogs, primary keys, and foreign keys using the database-creation scripts. 7. We updated statistics on each table according to database-creation scripts, which sample 18 percent of the table data. 8.
APPENDIX K – RUNNING THE TEST To run the test, we configured a 60 minute test window, allowing each benchmark 15 minutes to warm up prior to the measurement window for performance and latency on each of the solutions. 1. Shut down all VMs, and using the EqualLogic management interface, create a snapshot of each volume. These snapshots were used to restore to a pre-test state so additional identical runs could be performed. 2. Begin running the LoadGen benchmark.
We used Visual Studio 2010 to execute the test workload, generating a realistic user workload where each of the simulated users performed a task approximately every minute. The load test was 60 minutes long, consisting of a 15minute warm-up time, 30-minute measurement window. While the test was running, we recorded CPU utilization and total requests per second on our SharePoint server using Windows Performance Monitor.
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