BIG-IP resource provisioning combines the best features of each virtualization model by enabling BIG-IP LTM modules to run sandboxed without sharing resources, while giving them the ability to dynamical scale if/when needed. Resource provisioning is a new model in hardware virtualization, one that will change the face of application delivery and Application Delivery Controllers moving forward.
F5 White Paper
Resource Provisioning-
Hardware Virtualization,
Your Way
Resource allocation can be a fine line, starving services if the adequate allocation isn't precisely managed. Resource provisioning solves that problem with both partitioned and dynamic resource allocation.
by Alan MurphyTechnical Marketing ManagerWhite Paper Resource Provisioning-Hardware Virtualization, Your Way
Contents
Introduction 3
Resource Provisioning 3A Modular Approach 4
Conclusion: Complete Control 6
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Introduction
One of the most interesting and useful types of virtualization in the data center is resource virtualization: carving up or dynamically allocating compute resources to services as requested. Resource virtualization (also known as hardware virtualization) can be thought of as sandboxing: creating an isolated container on shared hardware where nothing gets in or out of that container. Originating with mainframe environments and seen today in consumer laptops with multi-core CPUs, resource virtualization typically adheres to the one-to-many (1:M) virtualization classification-presenting one physical piece of hardware or cluster of resources as individually segmented portions.
There are two types of resource virtualization: partitioning and dynamic allocation. . Partitioning: Also referred to as slicing, resource virtualization partitioning pre-allocates a segment of the hardware for a set number of services. For example, a CPU may be divided into three equal parts between three difference services; each of those services can consume no more than 33 percent of the CPU. Partitioning is typically static, creating hard boundaries that do not scale as resource requirements change. . Dynamic Allocation: The antonym to partitioning, dynamic provisioning is based on thresholds and the resource needs of a service at a particular time. Rather than carving out a fixed hardware chunk for a service, dynamic allocation will scale the hardware as needed for each service. Thresholds are set to limit the scale (if desired) and to moderate multiple services that require large portions of the hardware.
Each of these resource virtualization models has their benefits and their drawbacks, and neither choice typically accomplishes the goal alone. Only when they're used together can true resource provisioning be a benefit.
Resource Provisioning ®F5 enables you to take advantage of both types of resource virtualization ®on F5 BIG-IP devices with resource provisioning. Resource provisioning gives administrators the ability to manage hardware resources-CPU, memory, and disk-for each individual module. Resources can be allocated with a fixed percentage of each (partitioning) or a relative threshold (dynamic allocation) that can grow and shrink, within configured limits, as required by the module. By
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default, resources grow with each module as needed. Once allocated, resources are dedicated to a particular module and cannot be taken away or used by other modules or services, unless the resource provisioning configuration is changed to reflect the new resource allocations.
An example of BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager's dynamic resource allocation configuration
A Modular Approach
The resource provisioning engine treats an installed set of modules as a whole system, adjusting the available resources based on what the installed modules require. Modules that are licensed and actively running on the system can be allocated resources; modules that are not enabled cannot be given resources. As modules are added and removed, enabled and disabled, the resource provisioning engine will reallocate available resources to accommodate the change.
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® TFor example, let's say an F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) device is currently ® Tlicensed for BIG-IP LTM and BIG-IP Application Security Manager (ASM). The resources are allocated, based on percentages, between BIG-IP LTM and ASM. ® TWhen the administrator tries to enable the BIG-IP WAN Optimization Module , the resource provisioning engine will determine what resources the BIG-IP WAN Optimization Module will need and if there are enough re... [download for more]
