It could be that you are seeking a simple solution to create the best storage server. You might be a developer aspiring to change the web world with your unique idea. But how to implement it the right way and what type of infrastructure will you require for this purpose?
Basic infrastructure required
- 1 private network between back-end and front-end server
- 1 back-end server for storing & serving content through web servers
- 2 front-end servers to act as application and web servers
Each server gets connected to secure private network and the internet. The servers’ remote management goes through Customer Portal, while secure VPN connection permits better server control from the console.
Ordering back-end server
The best storage server needs at least 4TB storage space along with 8GB RAM. CPU power is not much concerned about in this example. Severs are to be connected with private backend network, like 1Gbps bandwidth between them for sharing data.
Disks are to be in RAID-set, whose configuration relies on user’s specific requirements. RAID-5 is much preferred as it offers better read when compared to write performance. It also allows data recovery by the array from failed drive. As content is uploaded to the website by the user, writes become less interesting when compared to serving content.
Ordering front-end servers
For the storage server, two dedicated servers will be necessary to act like front-end servers, with each having at least 8GB RAM, 4 cores along with small disk for OS purpose. Internet link should be present in the servers, for network with at least 100 Mbps port speed, 1 Gbps Private Networking and a public IP.
You need to perform simple load balancing along with failover. Couple of options are provided:
- Loadbalancer appliance: It is an expensive option for the basic storage server. However, it is effective enough to take part of the headache involved in load balancing software configuration.
- You can use local heartbeat scripts including failover IPs to design own HA-failover solution. You can manage what is happening as well as use it for running both server’s load balanced active/active. But it may require having knowledge of the technical aspects.
- Numerous DNS providers are available to offer complementary services besides DNS. Health checks are performed on the storage server along with storage server on the standby server.
Deployment
The next step is to deploy the managed solution. To derive the best result, the following steps are to be undertaken:
- Firstly, deploy front-end dedicated servers using Linux as distribution of choice.
- Secondly, order, customize and deploy back-end server having sufficient disk performance/capacity, running choice of Linux distro.
- On the server, design NFS shares and mount it on the webservers.
- Interconnect all three servers to the back-end network.
- Configure DNS using round-robin with two additionally assigned public IPs. Otherwise use third party to derive advanced DNS features.
- Configure LAMP stack for hosting designed site.
Therefore, following the above steps will allow developing the best storage server.
