VMware

This Question is Answered

4 Replies Last post: Oct 20, 2009 4:41 PM by K-MaC  

To Hyperthread or Not. posted: Oct 19, 2009 10:06 PM

Click to view K-MaC's profile Expert
K-MaC
478 posts since
Jun 16, 2008
Hello all. We are going to be virtualizing an Oracle database on a new server with a single Xeon E5540 processor. All of the documentation that I have read so far states that it is best to disable Hyperthreading. However, I have been unable to find a concrete answer as to why to run with it disabled. Could someone with experience let me know the advantages and disadvanges of Hyperthreading as it relates to running a virtualized instance of Oracle.

We will be using ESX4 standard edition and the Oracle server will be lightly utilized.

Thanks in advance for any and all insight.

Cheers

Kevin

Re: To Hyperthread or Not.

1. Oct 20, 2009 1:21 AM in response to: K-MaC
Click to view Anton V Zhbankov's profile Champion
Anton V Zhban…
2,871 posts since
May 26, 2008
It is recommended to utilize HT on Nehalems.

---
MCSA, MCTS, VCP, VMware vExpert '2009
http://blog.vadmin.ru

Re: To Hyperthread or Not.

2. Oct 20, 2009 6:12 AM in response to: Anton V Zhban…
Click to view TobiasKracht's profile Expert
TobiasKracht
508 posts since
Aug 31, 2009
There was a problem with old Intel`s CPU. But according to new tests using HyperThreading in new Nehalem-based CPUs allows to enlarge perfomance.

StarWind Software R&D

Re: To Hyperthread or Not.

3. Oct 20, 2009 7:47 AM in response to: K-MaC
Click to view weinstein5's profile Guru
weinstein5
6,331 posts since
Nov 19, 2005
VMware's best practice is to enable hyperthreading when available - think of it this it is giving the vmkernel more logical cpus to schedule virtual cpus -

If you find this or any other answer useful please consider awarding points by marking the answer correct or helpful

Re: To Hyperthread or Not.

4. Oct 20, 2009 4:41 PM in response to: K-MaC
Click to view K-MaC's profile Expert
K-MaC
478 posts since
Jun 16, 2008
Well that's 3 votes out of 3 for using Hyperthreading. I appreciate all the answers. However, I just have one question. Does anyone have a link to a paper/guide where it states to use Hyperthreading in Oracle? If not that's fine I will go with the best practice but it would be nice to have the paper! Again I thank you all.


Cheers

Kevin

Actions

VMware Developer

SDKs, APIs, Videos, Learn and much more in the Developer community.

Learn More

Developer Sample Code

Increase your developer productivity with VMware API sample code.

Learn More

VMworld Sessions & Labs

Online access to the latest VMworld Sessions & Labs and online services.

Learn more

Purchase PSO Credits Online

Purchase credits to redeem training and consulting services online.

Buy Now

Community Hardware Software

View reported configurations or report your own.

Learn More

VMware vSphere

Come witness the next giant leap in virtualization.

Register Today

Communities