Multi-Port Network Adapters for Server Consolidation and Virtualization

Overview

This white paper discusses the IT benefits that enterprises can gain from VMware Infrastructure 3 virtualization software when using HP ProLiant multi-port network adapters with Intel technology. High-speed Gigabit Ethernet network adapters (NICs) play an essential role in the VMware Infrastructure model - server networking functionality is important for secure management of VMware ESX Server 3, for enabling VMotion technology and for meeting the network throughput requirements of multiple virtual machines. In particular, best practices for VMware ESX Server 3 call for at least three dedicated network connections. HP ProLiant multi-port adapters are the optimum solution, providing extra ports to support the VMware Infrastructure in one Input/Output (I/O) server slot and freeing I/O slots in the server for other purposes.