Virtualization in High-Performance Computing: An Analysis of Physical and Virtual Node Performance
Glendon M Jungels · Purdue e-Pubs (Purdue University System) · 2012
The process of virtualizing computing resources allows an organization to make more efficient use of it's resources. In addtion, this process enables flexibility that deployment on raw hardware does not. Virtualization, however, comes with a performance penalty. This study examines the performance of utilizing virtualization technology for use in high performance computing to determine the suitibility of using this technology. It makes use of a small (4 node) virtual cluster as well as a 4 node physical cluster. The impacts on input/output operation are examined as well as performance of each cluster using two widely utilized tools, NAS Parallel Benchmarks and X High Performance Linpack.