Maximizing Multicore Servers (continued)
Serial or Parallel Universe?
The market hasn't yet completely made the transition from clock speed to CPU numbers, leaving IT managers confused about how to assess performance. But in the end, the workload that is being processed, not the numbers, that should determine whether you choose a serial or parallel configuration.
"If a set of processing can only be done serially, then having multiple cores does not help," says Chicago, Ill.-based Carl Franklin, Solution Architect for Triton-Tek. "If work can be done in parallel and the application or service can delegate its work in parallel, then multicores give a better work per space and work per watt advantage."
Keep in mind, however, that while multicores technically pack more processing power in the same heat footprint, i.e., more processing power per BTU of heat, not all that processing power is accessible. "Certainly [multicores do] not double the effective processing power, as some marketing folks claim," says Stirling. "This is because much of the operating system and application code today is not designed to take full advantage of the additional cores. This is especially true of multicore desktop/laptop systems, but it applies to some server applications as well."
"The key best practice is to size the processor to the workload. With the advent of dual socket designs (like the MPC NetFRAME 1640, 1740 and 2740), one has a wide choice in CPU selection, both in terms of type, speed and quantity," says Rollins. "Not 'over buying' is as important as not 'under buying' -- and processor numbers can help with this choice." (article continues)
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