[LINK] Multicore virtualizing power saving server at ANU

[grove at zeta.org.au]

On Fri, 26 Sep 2008, Tom Worthington wrote:

> The ANU is inaugurating a new SUN T2 multicore computer, on 16
> October 2008. Interested persons from the local IT industry are
> <http://cs.anu.edu.au/systems/T2launch/>invited to attend:
> <http://cs.anu.edu.au/systems/T2launch/>:
>
> "Multicore processors such as the T2 are designed to be able to
> process a large number of tasks concurrently. They are ideally suited
> to applications such as database and web servers, where, in the case
> of the T2, up to 64 transactions could be processed simultaneously.
> To have such a capability in a single unit results not only in lower
> up-front costs, but in very considerable power savings. When used in
> conjuction with virtualization, a number of (virtual) servers can be
> hosted on a single physical machine, resulting in even greater
> savings. Such technologies form part of a suite for forming
> eco-responsible datacenters:
> <http://www.sun.com/aboutsun/environment/index.jsp>.


What model of the T2 series are you running?

We at <some_uni> have been running T2000 and T5220 servers for 
some time, doing WebCT (BEA Weblogic) and application serving. 
We configure several Zones (Virtual chroot instances) for each 
application, given Java can only access a maximum of about 1.5 Gb per instance.
We have not yet enabled LDOMS on the T5220, but I have been using 
the CoolTools Optimised GCC compiler for my own evil purposes 
on these systems.

We have also encountered some recent early hardware failure issues 
with the T5220's we purchased recently
and I an suggesting the systems be patched to latest patch rev and 
also ensure you get the latest firmware patches on there.

The T2 series are low power processors but the aggregation of 
cores make them very powerful for the amount of energy they consume.

I also like the Lights Out control they offer.   If you need 
any advice regarding these systems, please let me know as we've 
been using them in anger since about 2006.


rachel

-- 
Rachel Polanskis                 Kingswood, Greater Western Sydney, Australia
grove at zeta.org.au                http://www.zeta.org.au/~grove/grove.html
 		The price of greatness is responsibility.