Home > Workload Solutions > Oracle > Guides > Implementation Guide—Oracle Database 19c Best Practices on PowerStore > Server best practices overview
This chapter focuses on server configuration best practices. A server configuration can be optimized by tuning the sub-components such as CPU, memory etc. Dell servers offers a wide range of sub- component parameters as part of the server BIOS which can be configured.
As part of Server layer optimization, we have tested multiple parameters that are available in server BIOS. The test cases and results are discussed in detail here.
By default, the Database Optimized Performance (DOP) profile is not enabled on the PowerEdge R750xs server. In this best practice we selected the DOP profile in BIOS and evaluated its impact on performance.
Category | PowerEdge |
Product | PowerEdge R750xs server |
Type of best practice | Performance Optimization |
Day and value | Day 1, Highly Recommended |
Overview
A BIOS profile is an easy way to apply firmware values that optimize the system. Below is a list of BIOS settings that are automatically changed by selecting the DOP profile:
Other system profile changes include:
Overall, the benefit of the Data Optimized Performance is setting several firmware settings to maximum performance. The only exception made in our validation tests was changing Virtualization Technology back to its default value of Enabled. However, for customers with physical (non-virtual) database deployments it is recommended to keep the DOP profile change for VT to Disabled.
Recommendation
Setting the Database Optimization Performance profile in the BIOS resulted in a performance improvement in our testing with virtual machines for the following metrics:
This practice is categorized as a Day 1, Highly Recommended best practice.
Implementation steps
To set the Database Optimized Performance Workload Profile:
To enable Virtualization Technology on the iDRAC console:
These settings are described in Table 22.
System Setup Screen | BIOS Attribute Name | BIOS Default Setting | New setting with DBOP profile |
Processor Settings | Virtualization Technology | Enabled | Disabled |
| x2APIC mode | Enabled | Disabled |
System Profile | System Profile | Performance Per Watt (DAPC) | Performance |
CPU Power Management | System DBPM (DAPC) | Maximum | |
C1E | Enabled | Disabled | |
C State | Enabled | Disabled | |
Uncore Frequency | DynamicUFS | Maximum | |
Energy Efficient Policy | Balanced Performance | Performance | |
Monitor/Mwait | Enabled | Enabled | |
CPU Interconnect Bus Link Power Management | Enabled | Disabled | |
PCI ASPM L1 Link Power Management | Enabled | Disabled |
Use the following steps to set the DOP Workload Profile:
Additional Resources
Setting up BIOS on 15th Generation (15G) Dell PowerEdge Servers
By default, the x2APIC BIOS setting is disabled on the PowerEdge R750xs server. In this best practice, we enabled the x2APIC setting to evaluate the impact on performance.
Category | PowerEdge |
Product | PowerEdge R750xs server |
Type of best practice | Performance Optimization |
Day and value | Day 3, Fine-Tuning |
Overview
The x2APIC is Intel’s Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller design to improve efficiency in multiprocessor computer systems. An interrupt is a request by the software for the processor to respond to an event. For example, if an operating system requests that the processor suspend current activities and the processor accepts this request, the state of the current activities is saved, and the new request is processed.
The x2APIC is Intel’s most recent Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller. Enhancements to x2APIC include support for more processors and improved performance. The PowerEdge R750xs we used for testing best practices had two Intel Xeon Gold 6338 processors each with 32 cores for a total of 64 cores in the server. We also used VMware vSphere 7.3 to virtualize the Oracle database. Enabling x2APIC should create efficiencies for the PowerEdge multi-processor system and optimize the interrupt management of virtual machines.
Recommendation
Overall, the best practice of enabling x2APIC in BIOS can provide a minor improvement in the system performance. Enabling x2APIC is a Day 3, Fine-Tuning recommendation with these considerations:
Implementation steps
To enable the x2APIC BIOS setting, log in to iDRAC and do the following:
Additional resources
Setting up BIOS on 15th Generation (15G) Dell PowerEdge Servers
The PowerEdge servers come with the Dell Controlled Turbo feature which controls the turbo engagement of the CPUs. This feature can increase performance in both single-threaded and multithreaded applications.
Category | PowerEdge |
Product | PowerEdge R750xs |
Type of best practice | Performance Optimization |
Day and value | Day 1, Highly Recommended |
Overview
The Dell Controlled Turbo setting allows the CPUs to run at maximum speed. This option only works if the system profile is set to performance in the BIOS. In this best practice, we enabled the Dell Controlled Turbo with the Database Optimization Performance profile.
Recommendation
After enabling the Dell Controlled Turbo option, the following test metrics gained an increase in performance and is considered as a Day 1, Highly Recommended best practice.
Implementation steps
To enable Dell Controlled Turbo, log in to iDRAC and do the following:
Additional resources
Enable Dell Controlled Turbo on 15th Generation (15G) Dell PowerEdge Server.
By default, PowerEdge servers have USB and other ports enabled. In this best practice USB and serial ports were disabled as both a security and performance best practice.
Category | PowerEdge |
Product | PowerEdge R750xs |
Type of best practice | Performance Optimization |
Day and value | Day 3, Fine-Tuning |
Overview
It is not expected that disabling USB ports and serial communication on servers will significantly improve performance, however, it is a good security practice. In this best practice the following ports were disabled in BIOS:
Recommendation
Although disabling unused integrated devices showed no improvement, it is still considered as a Day 3, Fine Tuning best practice for security purposes.
Implementation Steps
Go to IDRAC > Configuration > BIOS settings > Integrated Devices and make the following changes:
Additional Resources
Setting up BIOS on 15th Generation (15G) Dell PowerEdge Servers