VirtenSys Demonstrates PCIe-Based I/O Virtualization

VirtenSys, Ltd. has developed the first PCI Express based I/O technology that virtualizes and shares off-the-shelf I/O adapters among multiple physical servers without the need for adapter, device driver, or server modifications.

This proprietary technology is a critical capability that will accelerate adoption of the VirtenSys PCI Express I/O virtualization products and will establish the company as the industry leader. The cost effective VirtenSys products dramatically improve I/O utilization to greater than 80 percent; enhance throughput, and reduce I/O cost and power consumption by as much as 50 percent. The products also simplify data center management by dynamically allocating, sharing, and migrating I/O resources among servers without physical re-configuration, resulting in reduced Operational Expenses (OpEx).

As a part of the VirtenSys go-to-market strategy, the company is demonstrating this technology to leading server and storage Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and System Integrators (SIs). Later this year, VirtenSys will launch products that virtualize and share off-the-shelf Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and SAS/SATA PCI Express based I/O adapters. The products will be available in both rack-mount and blade server form factors

"We are pleased by the responses of our OEM customers to the technology," said Ahmet Houssein, president and CEO of VirtenSys. "They were unanimous in their positive comments, as they have been looking for cost-effective solutions that deliver all the benefits of I/O virtualization without performance degradation or disruption to existing server and storage systems."

VirtenSys I/O virtualization technology uses the native PCI-Express interface available in servers and storage systems. It also supports the just-announced PCI-SIG I/O Virtualization specifications including Address Translation Services (ATS), Single-Root IOV (SR-IOV), and Multi-Root IOV (MR-IOV), making VirtenSys products immediately deployable across a broad range of platforms. The VirtenSys technology also preserves the investments made by corporations in I/O adaptors and device driver certifications, management processes, and know-how. This compares with existing I/O virtualization solutions that require investment in new networks based on InfiniBand or the next-generation Data Center Ethernet standards, the use of proprietary I/O adaptors, or the introduction of new device drivers. These changes are disruptive, costly, and complex to deploy.

VirtenSys collaborated with 10 GbE company Neterion to provide virtualized 10GbE connectivity. VirtenSys developed, tested, and validated its virtualized I/O technology using the Neterion 10GbE Xframe E adapter. The two companies are working to speed the adoption of I/O virtualization.

"We are pleased to collaborate with VirtenSys as it prepares to introduce its virtualized I/O solutions," said Greg Scherer, vice president of Product Planning, Neterion. "VirtenSys has developed unique technology that can use both the Neterion Xframe E adapters and our next-generation X3100 series of 10GbE adapters. The technology from VirtenSys can virtualize them among multiple physical servers using Neterion’s standard device drivers and can do this without introducing any changes to the servers. This is very attractive to data centers."

"Once we met with Neterion and reviewed each company’s technology and plans, it was obvious that working together would be beneficial to both companies and to the market," added Houssein. "We appreciate Neterion’s commitment to delivering industry-leading 10GbE solutions that enable the rapid deployment of I/O virtualization in next-generation data centers."