By default, the Database Optimized Performance (DOP) profile is not used on the PowerEdge R750XS server. In this best practice, we select the DOP profile in the BIOS to evaluate its impact on performance. 

Overview

A BIOS profile is an easy way to apply firmware values that optimize the server. The following list describes BIOS settings that are automatically changed by selecting the DOP Profile.

1. Virtualization Technology (VT): Default is enabled and changed to disabled with the DOP profile. When VT is enabled, firmware settings are configured for enhanced support of hypervisors, meaning VT leads to greater integration with virtualization. The DOP profile disables VT, as many databases are not virtualized. As the SQL Server databases were virtualized in our best practice, the VT setting was changed back to enabled after being disabled by the DOP profile. 
2. System Profile: Default is Performance per Watt (DAPC profile) and changed to Performance. The DAPC profile is Dell’s proprietary implementation of dynamic processor management. Changes to the DOP profile alters the system profile from the default to Performance. Instead of the server balancing performance to drive a cost savings, the system is configured for maximum performance.  
3. CPU Power Management: Default System Demand-Based Power Management (DBPM) was changed to maximum performance. CPU Power Management controls use of processor performance states. By default, CPU Power Management uses DBPM which enables processor operating frequency and voltage to be dynamically adjusted. The DOP profile changes CPU Power Management to a static state of maximum performance. 

Other system profile changes include the following:

• C1E: default setting enabled changed to disabled. This change disables DIMM CKE power down and QPI power management. 
• C States: default setting enabled changed to disabled. This change disables C-states and DIMM self-refresh. 
• Uncore Frequency: Default setting Dynamic Uncore Frequency scaling (UFS) changed to Maximum. Setting the frequency to Maximum enables best performance of the cores and uncore during runtime. 
• Energy Efficient Policy: We used the default balanced performance policy. This setting was changed to Performance and instructs the processors to operate at the highest performance level. 
• CPU Interconnect Bus Link Power Management: default setting enabled changed to disabled. 
• PCI ASPM L1 Link Power Management: default setting enabled changed to disabled. 

Overall, DOP benefits from setting several firmware settings to maximum performance. The only exception made in our validation tests was changing the VT setting back to the default value of enabled. However, we recommend keeping the DOP profile change for VT to disabled for customers with physical (non-virtual) database deployments.

Recommendation

Our test finding from validating the DOP setting showed a slight improvement in performance for the database, therefore, it is considered as a Day 3, Fine Tuning recommendation and applied only if necessary.  The below metrics showed a slight increase in:

• New Order per Minute (NOPM)
• Transaction per Minute (TPM)
• PowerStore IOPS
• Server CPU utilization

Implementation Steps

• To set this DOP Workload Profile, log in to iDRAC console.  
• Navigate to BIOS settings > System Profile Settings > Workload Profile Settings and select the Database Optimized Performance Profile from the Workload Profile pulldown list. 

• To enable the Virtualization Technology, on the iDRAC console, navigate to Processor Settings and select Enabled for Virtualization Technology.  

Note: These changes require server reboot. 

Additional Resources

Setting up BIOS on 15th Generation (15G) Dell PowerEdge Server 

The PowerEdge servers come with the Dell Controlled Turbo feature which controls the turbo engagement of the CPUs. 

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 a slight increase in performance and considered as a Day 3, Fine Tuning best practice.

• New Order per Minute (NOPM)
• Transactions per Minute (TPM)
• PowerStore IOPS
• Server CPU utilization

Implementation Steps

To enable Dell Controlled Turbo, log in to iDRAC and do the following:

1. Click the Configuration pulldown menu 
2. Click the BIOS settings 
3. Navigate to Processors
4. Click Dell Controlled Turbo
5. Select Enabled in the dropdown list

Additional Resources

Enable Dell Controlled Turbo on 15th Generation (15G) Dell PowerEdge Server

 The ESXi Power Policy enables the VMware vSphere administrator to assign a power profile to the virtualized database. In this best practice, we select the high-performance power policy. 

 Overview

There are four CPU Power Management Polices that can be selected for a virtual machine:

• High Performance: maximize performance and disable power management features.
• Balanced (Default): use power management features that will minimally impact performance. 
• Low Power: emphasis on power management features to minimize energy consumption over performance. 
• Custom: user-defined power management policy. 

Many databases support critical business functions, meaning database performance is an enterprise priority. In this best practice, the CPU Power Management Policy was changed from the default setting of balanced to high performance to ensure the best possible performance. 

Recommendation

The results from changing the CPU Power Management Policy from balanced to high performance showed a very slightly increase in performance for the database.

Although changing the CPU Power Management Policy to high performance did not lead to significant performance improvements, it is still a good practice for production databases and considered a Day 3, Fine Tuning recommendation.  By changing the power management policy to high-performance, the administrator ensures that no power management features will impact future performance. 

Implementation Steps

To set the ESXi Power Policy to High Performance, log in to the vSphere and perform the following:

1. Navigate to Host and cluster and select the Host
2. Navigate to Configure and navigate to Hardware and Overview
3. Navigate to Power Management and click Edit Power Policy and select High Performance

Additional Resources

VMware vSphere Documentation: Select a CPU Power Management Policy

By default, PowerEdge servers have USB and other ports enabled. In this best practice, USB and serial ports are disabled to reduce security risks.  

Overview

Although we did not expect a significant performance improvement from disabling USB ports [SA1] on the servers, it is still a good security practice. The following ports were disabled in BIOS:

• User accessible USB ports
• Internal USB ports
• iDRAC Direct USB port
• Serial communication

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

 To perform these changes, log in to iDRAC and do the following:

1. Click the Configuration pulldown menu 
2. Click the BIOS settings and Integrated Devices
3. Go to User Accessible USB ports and select All Ports Off in the dropdown list
4. Go to iDRAC Direct USB port and select Off in the dropdown list

Additional Resources

Setting up BIOS on 15th Generation (15G) Dell PowerEdge Server 

By default, Intel’s Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (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. 

Overview

The x2APIC is designed to improve efficiency in multiprocessor 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 this request is accepted by the processor, the state of the current activities are saved and the new request is processed. 

The x2APIC is Intel’s most recent and advanced programmable interrupt controller. Enhancements to x2APIC include support for more processors and improved performance. The PowerEdge R750xs 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. VMware vSphere 7.0.3 was used to virtualize the SQL Server databases. Enabling x2APIC should enable efficiencies for the PowerEdge multi-processor system and optimize interrupt management of virtual machines. 

Recommendation

Overall, the best practice of enabling the x2APIC in BIOS can provide a slight improvement in the system performance. Enabling x2APIC considered as a Day 3, Fine Tuning recommendation with these considerations:

• For new PowerEdge servers, consider enabling the x2APIC BIOS setting if the virtualization and/or operating system supports the new interrupt controller.
• For existing PowerEdge servers, consult support documentation and consider enabling this BIOS setting at the next maintenance window. 

Implementation Steps

To enable the x2APIC BIOS setting, log in to iDRAC and do the following: 

1. Click the Configuration pulldown menu 
2. Click the BIOS Settings and Open Processor Settings tab 
3. Navigate to x2APIC Model and select the Enabled radio button 
4. At the bottom of the page, click Apply and Reboot 

Additional Resources

Setting up BIOS on 15th Generation (15G) Dell EMC PowerEdge Server