VMware vSphere 4 Technical Information download pdf (Page 28)

Performance Best Practices for VMware vSphere 4.0

28 VMware, Inc.

ESX Networking Considerations

This subsection provides guidance regarding networking considerations in ESX.

 In a native environment, CPU utilization plays a significant role in network throughput. To process

higher levels of throughput, more CPU resources are needed. The effect of CPU resource availability on

the network throughput of virtualized applications is even more significant. Because insufficient CPU

resources will reduce maximum throughput, it is important to monitor the CPU utilization of

high-throughput workloads.

 Use separate virtual switches each connected to its own physical network adapter to avoid contention

between the ESX service console, the VMkernel, and virtual machines, especially virtual machines

running heavy networking workloads.

 To establish a network connection between two virtual machines that reside on the same ESX system,

connect both virtual machines to the same virtual switch. If the virtual machines are connected to different

virtual switches, traffic will go through wire and incur unnecessary CPU and network overhead.

 The VMkernel network device driver defaults to speed and duplex settings of auto-negotiate. These

settings will work correctly with network switches that are also set to auto-negotiate. If your switch is

configured for a specific speed and duplex setting, however, you must force the network driver to use the

same speed and duplex setting (for Gigabit links, network settings should be set to auto-negotiate and not

forced).

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VMware vSphere 4 Technical Information Page 28