Understanding How Microsoft Virtualization Compares to VMware

1. VIR317-R Understanding How Microsoft Virtualization Compares to VMware Matt McSpirit Senior Product Marketing Manager Microsoft Corporation @mattmcspirit

2. What will we cover? • Why Hyper-V? • Why System Center? • Why Microsoft Cloud? • Summary • Resources

3. Trends – Changing Market Landscape • Virtualization is exploding resulting in VM proliferation and impacting OS share Number of physical servers shipments used for virtualization will grow to 1.7M+ in 2012 at a CAGR of 15% IDC Server Virtualization Forecast 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 VM Density 19% of physical server shipments will be used for virtualization, increasing from 11.7% in 2007

4. Why Hyper-V?

5. Myths, Perceptions, Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt • Performance & Scalability • Maturity • General Purpose OS – Insecure/Requires Patching • Guest OS Support • Enterprise Ready – Lacks Key Capabilities

6. Reality: Performance & Scalability • Project Virtual Reality Check (www.virtualrealitycheck.net) • Performed by Ruben Spruijt and Jeroen van de Kamp • When scaling x86 TS VMs w/o Hyper-threading, vSphere is 5% better than both XenServer and Hyper-V • When scaling x86 TS VMs w/ Hyper-threading, XenServer and Hyper-V are 15% better than vSphere • When scaling up to 100 TS sessions, response times for all three hypervisors are fairly equal, but beyond 100 sessions, vSphere response times increases with each new session • When scaling x64 TS VMs, XenServer and Hyper-V are within 13.6% of bare metal, and are 27% better than vSphere

7. Reality: Performance & Scalability • In 2010, Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) released a 3rd Party Performance Validation White Paper, sponsored by Microsoft. • Key Points • Hyper-V is easy to install to get running for those administrators familiar with Windows • Hyper-V provides high availability with transparent and automatic failover of Virtual Machines (VMs) • Hyper-V Live Migrations provides for zero-downtime migrations of VMs between Hyper-V servers • Most importantly, the report shows Hyper-V performance versus physical is excellent, with 95% to 99% of the performance of physical disks and 89% to 98% of performance of the tested workloads versus physical. • Available for download from ESG or Microsoft

8. Reality: Performance & Scalability • Hyper-V R2 on 16 servers with Microsoft Cluster Shared Volumes (CSV) stored on a single SAN attached disk array supported 1,024 virtual machines http://www.enterprisestrategygroup.com/2010/11/emc-symmetrix-vmax-and-microsoft-server-virtualization-scalable-enterprise-class-virtual-infrastructure/

9. Reality: Performance & Scalability

10. Reality: Performance & Scalability • In 2011, ESG produced reports on performance of key workloads on Hyper-V • Available online: http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/en/us/solution-business-apps.aspx • Useful links, resources, case studies, white papers and webcasts

11. Reality: Performance & Scalability • Exchange Server 2010 scaled to 20,000 mailboxes on a single physical server, across four VMs, with extrapolation to 32,000 mailboxes. • SQL Server 2008 R2 showed performance of a single VM within 88% of a physical server and scaled to 1,800 OLTP transactions per second • SharePoint Server 2010 scaled to over 450,000 users across five VMs and showed linear scalability from 1 to 3 VMs

12. Reality: Performance & Scalability • Microsoft/Intel iSCSI Test • Used Windows Server 2008 R2, Intel Xeon 5500 processors, and Intel 10Gbps Ethernet Adapters • Reached over One Million IOPS over a single 10 Gbps Ethernet link using a software iSCSI initiator on Native HW • Reached over 700,000 IOPS over a single 10 Gbps Ethernet link using a software iSCSI initiator on Hyper-V to the Guest OS

13. Reality: Performance & Scalability • In-Guest VM Performance • Native Performance

14. Reality: Performance & Scalability • iSCSI Performance can be as good or better than either Fibre Channel or FCoE. iSCSI can offer a compelling offering for those who don’t want to invest in FC. • Windows Server and Hyper-V is not a limiting factor to IO performance. There shouldn’t be any significant concern around IO for virtualizing with Hyper-V. • More details (along with a great Photoshop picture) at http://gestaltit.com/all/tech/storage/stephen/microsoft-and-intel-push-one-million-iscsi-iops/

15. Reality: Maturity • 3rd release in lifecycle – 2008 -> 2008 R2 -> SP1 • Significant performance improvements release on release • Increased capabilities release on release • Growing Partner ecosystem around Hyper-V • Significant increase in case studies & evidence

16. Reality: General Purpose OS – Insecure/Requires Patching • “Until Microsoft changes its virtualization architecture to remove its dependency on Windows, it will remain large and vulnerable to Windows patches, updates, and security breaches”* • Looking at ESXi (4.1) which has a 70mb disk footprint: • Latest patch @ 04/28 = KB 1035111 @ 214.9mb • System Impact : VM Shutdown & Host Reboot • Looking back to ESXi 3.5 U2: • http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1006716 - VM’s couldn’t be powered on or VMotioned due to a build timeout left in the build • As for ESXi 3.5 U3, released as a result of U2: • http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1007899 - Virtual machines may unexpectedly reboot when the VMware High Availability (HA) feature with virtual machine monitoring is active *http://www.vmware.com/technical-resources/advantages/architectures.html

17. Reality: Guest OS Support • “VMware Supports the Largest Number of Guest Operating Systems”* • Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, Windows 98, MS-DOS 6.22 all supported(!) • Reality is, the OS vendor supports the OS • Microsoft supports the following in-lifecycle Guest OS’s: • Windows Server 2008 R2 (VM configured with 1, 2, or 4 virtual processors) • Windows Server 2008 x86/x64 Edition (VM configured with 1, 2, or 4 virtual processors) • Windows Server 2003 R2 x86/x64 (VMs configured with 1 or 2 virtual processors) • Windows Server 2003 x86/x64 (VMs configured with 1 or 2 virtual processors) • Windows Small Business Server 2011 (VMs configured with 1 virtual processor) • Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 (VMs configured with 1 virtual processor) • Windows Home Server 2011 (VMs configured with 1 virtual processor) • Linux Distributions (VMs configured with 1, 2 or 4 virtual processor) • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 with Service Pack 3 (x86 Edition or x64 Edition) • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 (x86 Edition or x64 Edition) • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) & CentOS 5.2, 5.3 , 5.4, 5.5 & 5.6 (x86 Edition or x64 Edition) • Windows 7 x86/x64 Edition (VM configured with 1, 2, or 4 virtual processors) • Windows Vista x86/x64 (VMs configured with 1 or 2 virtual processors) • Windows XP (VMs configured with 1 or 2 virtual processors • Integration Components released into Linux Community *http://www.vmware.com/technical-resources/advantages/guest-os.html

18. Reality: Enterprise Ready –Lacks Key Capabilities • Live Migration & HA built-in • New Processor Support • Improved Performance & Lower Costs • Enhanced Scalability • Greater VM density & Lower TCO • Networking enhancements • Improve performance & 10 Gb/E ready • Dynamic VM Capabilities • Enhancements to Server Core • Ease management & Lower TCO • Dynamic Memory &Remote FX in SP1

19. Dynamic Memory in SP1 • Overview • A memory management enhancement for Hyper-V • Enables customers to dynamically grow and decrease the memory of a VM • Available as a feature in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 • Benefits • Better consolidation ratios with predictable performance • Enables linear scalability for deployment environments • Designed for production use • Recommendations for use for server applications still being evaluated. • With the SP1 release, we will meet all the Gartner/Burton group requirements for an Enterprise ready Hypervisor

20. How does it work? • VM memory configuration parameters: • Initial (what VM will boot with) • Maximum (what VM can grow to) • Memory is pooled and dynamically distributed across VMs • Memory is dynamically allocated/removed based VM usage with no service interruption • Guest enlightened: guests & Hyper-V work TOGETHER • Memory is added and removed via synthetic memory driver (memory VSC) support

21. How is it different? • There is a difference between memory overcommit and overcommitting memory • We warned of the dangers of overcommitting memory • We pressed against the use of overcommit from a marketing perspective • Dynamic Memory allows for predictable, consistent performance even after overcommitting memory • Key is avoid the performance cliff which is possible with the VMware solution • The features VMware has does NOT provide significantly more scale than Hyper-V with DM does (despite what VMware will tell our customers)

22. How does VMware do it? • Memory Ballooning and Un-ballooning • Set VM memory, reservation, and limit • Will add and remove as necessary, between the reservation and limit • Memory Compression • Page Sharing • Optimized common memory pages • Affected by ASLR and SLAT • Hypervisor Memory Paging • Pages at the Hypervisor when physical memory is completely committed • All these (italicized) are only used after all physical memory is committed, which is not recommended by VMware or Microsoft!

23. Free Hypervisors?

24. Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 SP1 • Stand-alone free download • Contains only the Windows Hypervisor, Windows Server driver model and virtualization components • Small footprint and minimal overhead • Integrates into current infrastructure • Includes Live Migration, HA new SP1 capabilities and more • Available from http://www.microsoft.com/hyper-v-server/en/us/default.aspx

25. Apples to Apples

26. The Comparison Trap… VMwarevSphere 4.1 = !=

27. Why System Center?

28. System Center Virtualize, Deploy & Manage ITProcess Automation • Unparalleled levels of integrated management across all platforms: • Physical & Virtual • Datacenter to Desktop • Workloads & Applications • Mature technologies, integrated over consistent release cycles Monitor & Manage Services End to End ITService Management Design, Configure & Deploy Data Protection & Recovery

29. System Center • Unparalleled levels of integrated management across all platforms: • Physical & Virtual • Datacenter to Desktop • Workloads & Applications • Mature technologies, integrated over consistent release cycles

30. System Center – Integration Examples • Combining SCVMM & SCOM enables PRO • Workload and application aware resource optimization • Extensible through the Operations Manager 2007 MP framework • Create policies that VMM acts upon tips automatically or manually • Minimize downtime and accelerating time to resolution • Enables partners to deliver value add to our mutual customers

31. System Center – F5 PRO Example • Integrates SCOM with BIG-IP from F5 Networks • Live Migration and Maintenance Mode for VMs • Detect host capacity for Load Balancing and VM movement • PRO monitors detect critical events • Built-in PRO Alerts • PRO Tips suggest appropriate action • Manual or automatic remediation

32. System Center Overview Matt McSpirit Senior Product Marketing Manager Microsoft Corporation demo

33. System Center Server Management Suite • Server Management Suite provides complete System Center coverage for Datacenter • SMS Enterprise (SMSe) = $1569 per Host • SMS Datacenter (SMSd) = $2620 per 2 CPU • Complimentary Client Management Suite for Desktops • Includes Software Assurance

34. What about VMware? Virtualize, Deploy & Manage ITProcess Automation • Virtualize, Deploy & Manage: • vCenter Server • Monitor & Manage Services • vCenter Operations • Data Protection & Recovery: • vCenter Data Recovery • Design, Configure & Deploy: • vCenter Configuration Manager • IT Service Management: • vCenter Service Manager • IT Process Automation: • vCenter Orchestrator Monitor & Manage Services End to End ITService Management Design, Configure & Deploy Data Protection & Recovery

35. Reality: What about VMware? • Virtualize, Deploy & Manage: • vCenter Server -> Mature technology, widely understood, key to vSphere Deployment • Monitor & Manage Services • vCenter Operations -> Made up of Integrien Alive VM, Capacity IQ & Ionix Server CM • Data Protection & Recovery: • vCenter Data Recovery -> Inbox, introduced with vSphere. • Design, Configure & Deploy: • vCenter Configuration Manager -> Acquired through Ionix Server CM (Configuresoft) • IT Service Management: • vCenter Service Manager -> Acquired through Ionix Infra • IT Process Automation: • vCenter Orchestrator -> Acquired through Dunes Technologies

36. Why Microsoft Cloud?

37. Transition to the Cloud on your terms Elastic | Self-Service | ScalableMetered by Use | Multi-Tenant Self-Service & Provisioning Partner-extensible toolkit that enables datacenters to dynamically pool, allocate, and manage resources to enable IT as a service. Integrated Management Full spectrum datacenter to cloud management Delivering cloud computing with existing investment Platform #1 Application Server in the world > 70% share Enterprise class platform for cloud

38. Public Cloud Integration • System Center helps to bridge the management gap between Private & Public Clouds • Azure Connect helps to connect the 2 infrastructures Private Cloud Public Cloud

39. Summary

40. Microsoft Virtualization: Best Choice for Virtualization, Management & Cloud Built for Windows CompleteManagementSolution Low CostCompleteSolution *Built-in Virtualization with one-stop support *Deep Application Knowledge *A comparable solution can cost almost 4 times more† *Large PartnerEcosystem *Physical & Virtual Management *Lower On-goingCosts Increased Deployment Options *Cross-Platform & Hypervisor Support Virtualization-Friendly Licensing *Only available with Microsoft Virtualization †Based on a comparison of Microsoft® System Center Server Management Suite Datacenter with VMware® vSphere Enterprise Plus with VMware vCenter Server.. Assumes a five host configuration, 2 processors on each host, 2 years support costs for both products, and no operating system costs included.. The Microsoft solution can use either the free Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 hypervisor or an existing Windows Server 2008 R2 hypervisor.  Based on Microsoft estimated retail prices and published VMware prices available at https://www.vmware.com/vmwarestore as of 08/04/2009 for purchases in the United States. Actual reseller prices may vary.

41. Required Slide Speakers, please list the Breakout Sessions, Interactive Discussions, Labs, Demo Stations and Certification Exam that relate to your session. Also indicate when they can find you staffing in the TLC. Related Content • Breakout Sessions: • VIR320: Virtualizing Microsoft Exchange Server with Hyper-V • VIR321: Virtualizing Microsoft SharePoint Server with Hyper-V • VIR322: Virtualizing Microsoft SQL Server with Hyper-V • Interactive Sessions: • VIR371-INT: The Latest Best Practices in Virtualizing Remote Desktop Services & Virtual Desktops: THE Virtual Reality Check • VIR374-INT: The Hyper-V Cloud: What, Why and How • VIR471-INT: Virtualization FAQ, Tips and Tricks • Hands-on Labs • VIR372-HOL: Configuring &Managing Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 • Product Demo Stations – Server & Cloud TLC • Related Certification Exam – 70-659, 70-669, 70-693 • Find Me Later At - Server & Cloud TLC