SUMMARY
Improving Oracle Database backup speeds for virtualized Intel Solaris 11.1 clients
ISSUE
Description
Oracle Database backups and restores use a CIFS network target as a landing zone for RMAN operations. For best network performance you should consider configuring your network using VMXNET 3 adapters.
Cause
The default NIC used in the Oracle Solaris 11 template on VMware ESX hosts is the E1000. However, Solaris 11.1 using the VMware Tools driver for VMXNET 3 adapters yields better network performance for virtual Solaris deployments.
Resolution
Ensure that VMware Tools is installed on the Solaris client. (See Third Party Sources)
From a vSphere connection to the ESX host do the following:
- Power off the Solaris client
- Right click the Solaris client and select “Edit Settings...”
- Click “Add” to create a new network adapter
- Select “Ethernet Adapter” and click “Next”
- Select “VMXNET 3” from the “Adapter Type” drop down menu and click “Next”
- Click “Finish”
- Power on the Solaris client and reconfigure the new network adapter.
From a command line terminal on the Solaris client run the following:
- Identify your newly created network adapter LINK/DEVICE
-
dladm show-phys
- To configure a static IP:
-
ipadm create-ip <LINK> ipadm create-addr -T static -a local=<IP>/24 <LINK>/v4static
- To configure using dhcp:
-
ipadm create-ip <LINK> ipadm create-addr -T dhcp <LINK>/v4
If your network IP has changed then you will need to update your client information through the Unitrends Interface.
Third-Party Sources
Installing VMware Tools in a Solaris virtual machine (vmware.com)
Configuring Network Interfaces When in Manual Mode (oracle.com)