Tuning performance for Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2 Standard virtual images

Tuning the performance of a Windows Server 2012 or a 2012 R2 Standard virtual image can improve deployment times for your virtual patterns.

About this task

The following recommended tuning tips can help improve the performance of a Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2 Standard virtual image. You can apply these performance improvements to the virtual image by using the virtual image extend and capture function in the console.
Note: These recommendations are based on the image tested by IBM®. Some of these recommendations might not apply to the image used in your environment.
To apply these performance improvements to your virtual image, you typically complete the following general procedure:
  1. Create the virtual image using Windows OS pattern kit.
  2. Import the virtual image into the PureApplication® System catalog of virtual images by using the console.
  3. Extend the imported virtual image. As part of this process, the virtual image is included in a virtual system pattern, which is then deployed. The virtual machine is started as part of the virtual system pattern deployment. As it is started for the first time, the virtual machine adapts to the PureApplication System environment.
  4. Make the recommended tuning modifications to the deployed virtual machine as described below.
  5. Capture the modified extended image back. The new captured image includes the adaptations along with the tuning modifications.

Even if you decide not to make these recommended tuning modifications to the virtual image that you create using the OS pattern kit, you should still extend and capture the imported image as described in the above procedure. Use the extended and captured virtual image in new virtual system patterns, instead of the original image. This new image will have the PureApplication System adaptations. Using that image results in shorter deployment times.

Procedure

  • Disable hardware devices and hardware configuration settings that are typically enabled but which do not apply when you are using a virtual server.

    Use Windows Device Manager to disable hardware interface devices and configurations. To open the Device Manager, click Start > Control Panel > Hardware > Devices and Printers > Device Manager.

    Consider the following list of devices and disable or uninstall those devices that will not be used. You might also have additional devices that are not used in your environment that you can also disable or uninstall as needed.
    • Display adapters
    • Diskette drives (these might also be referred to in the image as floppy disk drives)
    • Diskette controllers (these might also be referred to in the image as floppy drive controllers)
    • Keyboards
    • Mice and other pointing devices
    • Monitors
    • Ports (COM and LPT)
    • Print queues
    • System speaker
  • Disable Windows services that are not used in your environment.
    Use Windows Services to disable services that are typically enabled but which do not apply when using a virtual server. To open Windows Services, click Start > Administrative Tools > Services.
    Consider the following list of services and disable those services that will not be used. You might also have additional services that are not used in your environment that you can also disable as needed.
    • Background Intelligent Transfer Service
    • Certificate Propagation
    • Print Spooler
    • Shell Hardware Detection
    • Windows Firewall
    • Windows Update
    • Power®
    • Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector
    • Remote Desktop Configuration
    • Remote Desktop Services
      Note: If you disable Remote Desktop Services, you might want to provide another way to access the deployed virtual machine.
    Important: Ensure that you are conforming to your local security policy before you disable any security related service.
  • Configure Windows advanced performance settings for visual effects, advanced processor scheduling, and data execution prevention.
    To access Windows Advanced Performance Options settings, click Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings > Advanced > Performance > Settings.

    These recommended settings offer only minor performance benefits during the deployment process. You should evaluate your overall business needs when deciding how to set the advanced system properties, and consider the recommendations in your overall evaluation.

    1. Configure the performance of visual effects.
      On the Visual Effects tab of the Performance Options page, select the Let Windows choose what's best for my computer option. Selecting the Adjust for best performance option has a slight negative impact on pattern deployment performance.
    2. Select Background services.
      On the Advanced tab, select the Background services option. This might result in a slight performance benefit for pattern deployment.
    3. Configure the security and data protection of certain Windows programs and services.
      On the Data Execution Prevention tab, select the Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select option. Selecting the Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and service only option has a slight negative impact on pattern deployment performance.
      Important: Regardless of which option that you select, ensure that you are conforming to your local security policy.
  • Update initial configuration settings.
    Initial configuration includes the following settings:
    • Windows Update
    • Windows Error Reporting
    • Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program

    These recommended settings offer only minor performance benefits during the deployment process. You should evaluate your overall business needs when deciding how to set the initial configuration settings, and consider the recommendations in your overall evaluation.

    1. Configure Windows updates to install automatically.
      To set this property, navigate to Server Manager > Local Server. Locate the Windows Update property and enable the Install updates automatically option. On the Windows Update page, click Change settings.
    2. Configure Windows Error Reporting to ask about sending reports each time an error occurs.
      To set this property, navigate to Server Manager > Local Server. Locate the Windows Error Reporting property and enable the Ask me about sending reports every time an error occurs option.
    3. Participate in the Customer Experience Improvement Program.
      To set this property, navigate to Server Manager > Local Server. Locate the Customer Experience Improvment Program property and select Yes, I want to participate in the CEIP option.
  • Disable the Windows screen saver.
    1. Click Start > Control Panel > Appearance > Display > Change screen Saver.
    2. Select (None) from the Screen saver list, and click OK.
  • Disable the Windows Welcome screen.
    1. Click Start > Administrative Tools > System Configuration > Boot
    2. Select No GUI boot.