Compatibility Testing

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Compatibility Testing: Server Configuration Documentation

This document details the results of compatibility testing performed on a specific server configuration designed for high-performance computing and virtualization. The testing covered hardware interoperability, performance benchmarks, and suitability for various workloads. This document is intended for internal use by server engineers, system administrators, and support personnel.

1. Hardware Specifications

The tested server configuration consists of the following components. All components were selected based on current industry standards and were sourced from approved vendors. Detailed component revision numbers are recorded in the Component Revision Log.

Server Hardware Specifications

Detailed information about each component, including datasheets and compatibility matrices, can be found in the Component Database. This configuration utilizes dual redundant power supplies and hot-swap fans for increased uptime. The motherboard supports multiple CPUs, but this testing focused on a single CPU configuration. Future testing will evaluate dual CPU configurations, documented in the Dual CPU Testing Report.

2. Performance Characteristics

The server configuration was subjected to a series of benchmarks to assess its performance under various workloads. All benchmarks were run with a clean operating system install (Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS) and standard drivers. Benchmarking methodology is detailed in the Benchmarking Procedures Document. Results are presented below.

  • **CPU Performance:**
   * SPEC CPU 2017 Rate:  Overall Score: 185.2, Integer Score: 210.5, Floating Point Score: 160.1.  Details are available in the SPEC CPU 2017 Results.
   * Geekbench 5: Single-Core: 1780, Multi-Core: 32500.  These scores are comparable to other servers using the same CPU.
  • **Storage Performance:**
   * CrystalDiskMark (NVMe): Sequential Read: 7200 MB/s, Sequential Write: 6800 MB/s, Random Read: 650,000 IOPS, Random Write: 700,000 IOPS. These results demonstrate the high performance of the Gen4 NVMe SSDs.
   * RAID 5 Performance (SATA HDDs): Sequential Read: 550 MB/s, Sequential Write: 480 MB/s, Random Read: 15,000 IOPS, Random Write: 10,000 IOPS. This performance is typical for a RAID 5 configuration with 7.2K RPM drives.
  • **Network Performance:**
   * iPerf3: 10GbE: 9.4 Gbps, 1GbE: 940 Mbps.  These results confirm the expected throughput for the network interfaces.
  • **Virtualization Performance (VMware vSphere 7.0):**
   * VMmark 10: Score: 1500. This score indicates good performance for virtualized workloads.  The configuration was able to comfortably run 20 virtual machines with moderate resource allocation.  Detailed VM configuration is found in the VMware Configuration Guide.

These benchmarks demonstrate that the server configuration delivers excellent performance for a wide range of applications. The NVMe SSDs provide very fast storage access, while the SATA HDDs offer large capacity for data storage. The 10GbE network interfaces ensure fast network connectivity.

3. Recommended Use Cases

Based on the performance characteristics and compatibility testing, this server configuration is ideally suited for the following use cases:

  • **Virtualization:** The high core count CPU, large amount of RAM, and fast storage make this configuration an excellent platform for running virtual machines. It can support a significant number of VMs with good performance. See also the Virtualization Best Practices.
  • **Database Servers:** The fast storage and large amount of RAM are beneficial for database applications. The server can handle demanding database workloads with ease. Specifically, it is well-suited for PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Microsoft SQL Server.
  • **Application Servers:** The server can host a variety of applications, including web servers, application servers, and file servers.
  • **High-Performance Computing (HPC):** The powerful CPU and fast storage make this configuration suitable for HPC workloads, such as scientific simulations and data analysis.
  • **Video Encoding/Transcoding:** The CPU’s core count and memory capacity make this server a viable option for video processing tasks.
  • **Data Analytics:** Large datasets can be processed efficiently thanks to the configuration’s storage and memory capabilities.

This configuration is *not* recommended for tasks requiring extremely low latency or very high I/O operations per second (IOPS) on the SATA drives. For such applications, an all-flash storage array would be more appropriate.

4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

The following table compares this configuration with two similar configurations: a lower-cost option and a higher-end option.

Configuration Comparison

The lower-cost configuration provides adequate performance for less demanding workloads, but it lacks the processing power and storage capacity of this configuration. The higher-end configuration offers even greater performance and scalability, but it comes at a significantly higher cost. The selection of the appropriate configuration depends on the specific requirements of the application. A detailed cost analysis is available in the Cost Analysis Report.

5. Maintenance Considerations

Maintaining the server configuration requires regular attention to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

  • **Cooling:** The server uses redundant hot-swap fans to maintain optimal operating temperatures. The fans should be inspected regularly for dust buildup. The Cooling System Maintenance Procedure outlines the recommended maintenance schedule. Ambient temperature should be maintained between 18°C and 27°C (64°F and 81°F).
  • **Power:** The server utilizes redundant power supplies to provide uninterrupted power. Ensure that the power supplies are connected to separate power circuits. Monitor power consumption to avoid overloading the power circuits. The total power draw under full load is estimated to be 1400W. See the Power Management Guide.
  • **Storage:** The RAID controller provides data redundancy, but it is still important to perform regular backups. Monitor the health of the hard drives and SSDs using the RAID controller’s management interface. Replace failing drives promptly. The Storage Maintenance Schedule details the recommended procedures.
  • **Firmware Updates:** Keep the firmware for all components (BIOS, RAID controller, NICs, etc.) up to date to ensure optimal performance and security. Firmware updates are available from the vendors’ websites. The Firmware Update Procedure outlines the recommended process.
  • **Operating System & Software:** Regularly patch and update the operating system and installed software to address security vulnerabilities and improve performance.
  • **Dust Control:** Regularly clean the server chassis to prevent dust buildup, which can impede airflow and cause overheating. Use compressed air to remove dust from fans, heatsinks, and other components.
  • **Log Monitoring:** Regularly review system logs for errors or warnings that may indicate potential problems. Implement a centralized logging solution for easier monitoring. See the Log Analysis Guide.

Proper maintenance is crucial for ensuring the long-term reliability and performance of the server configuration. Regular monitoring and preventative maintenance can help to avoid costly downtime and data loss. Refer to the Troubleshooting Guide for common issues and solutions.

Internal Links List Server Hardware Overview RAID Configuration Guide Network Configuration Guide Operating System Installation Guide Security Best Practices Disaster Recovery Plan Component Revision Log Benchmarking Procedures Document SPEC CPU 2017 Results VMware Configuration Guide Cost Analysis Report Cooling System Maintenance Procedure Power Management Guide Storage Maintenance Schedule Firmware Update Procedure Log Analysis Guide Troubleshooting Guide Internal Links List ```


Intel-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Core i7-6700K/7700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB CPU Benchmark: 8046
Core i7-8700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB CPU Benchmark: 13124
Core i9-9900K Server 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB CPU Benchmark: 49969
Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Workstation 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000

AMD-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Ryzen 5 3600 Server 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 17849
Ryzen 7 7700 Server 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 35224
Ryzen 9 5950X Server 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 46045
Ryzen 9 7950X Server 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 63561
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 9454P Server 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe

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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️