AI in Essex
# AI in Essex: Server Configuration
This document details the server configuration supporting the "AI in Essex" project. It is intended for new members of the server team and provides a comprehensive overview of the hardware and software components. This project focuses on applying Artificial Intelligence techniques to analyze data related to Essex County, with applications in traffic management, environmental monitoring, and public health.
Overview
The "AI in Essex" project relies on a distributed server infrastructure to handle the large datasets and computationally intensive AI models. The core infrastructure is located in a secure data center in Chelmsford, with backup and disaster recovery systems in place at a secondary site in Colchester. The system is designed for scalability and high availability. We utilize a combination of bare-metal servers and virtual machines to optimize performance and resource allocation. Please refer to the Data Security Policy for information on data protection.
Hardware Specifications
The primary server cluster consists of the following hardware components. These are detailed in the table below. Regular hardware audits are conducted, as per the Hardware Audit Procedure.
| Server Role | Manufacturer | Model | CPU | RAM | Storage | Network Interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Training Nodes (x4) | Dell | PowerEdge R750 | 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6338 | 512 GB DDR4 ECC | 8 x 4TB NVMe SSD (RAID 0) | 100 Gbps Ethernet |
| Inference Servers (x6) | HP | ProLiant DL380 Gen10 | 2 x Intel Xeon Silver 4310 | 256 GB DDR4 ECC | 4 x 2TB NVMe SSD (RAID 1) | 25 Gbps Ethernet |
| Database Server | Lenovo | ThinkSystem SR650 | 2 x AMD EPYC 7763 | 1TB DDR4 ECC | 12 x 8TB SAS HDD (RAID 6) | 10 Gbps Ethernet |
| Data Storage Server | NetApp | FAS2750 | Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6248R | 256 GB DDR4 ECC | 16 x 16TB SAS HDD (RAID-DP) | 40 Gbps Ethernet |
Software Stack
The software stack is built on a Linux foundation, utilizing open-source tools wherever possible. All software installations are managed through our Configuration Management System. Version control is handled by Git Repository Access.
- Operating System: Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS
- Containerization: Docker and Kubernetes
- AI Frameworks: TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn
- Database: PostgreSQL 14
- Data Processing: Apache Spark, Apache Kafka
- Monitoring: Prometheus and Grafana (see Monitoring Dashboard Access)
- Version Control: Git
- VLAN 10: Management Network
- VLAN 20: AI Training Network
- VLAN 30: Inference Network
- VLAN 40: Data Storage Network
- VLAN 50: Database Network
- Data Security Policy
- Hardware Audit Procedure
- Configuration Management System
- Git Repository Access
- Monitoring Dashboard Access
- Network Diagram
- Firewall Configuration Guide
- Database Backup Policy
- Server Hardening Checklist
- Incident Response Plan
- Scalability Plan
- Troubleshooting Guide
- Contact Information
- Server Access Request Form
- Software Licensing Information
- Telegram: @powervps Servers at a discounted price
Network Configuration
The network is segmented into several VLANs for security and performance. The Network Diagram provides a visual representation of the network topology. Key VLANs include:
Firewall rules are configured using iptables and are regularly reviewed by the Security Team. All communication between servers is encrypted using TLS. See the Firewall Configuration Guide for details.
Database Schema
The PostgreSQL database stores various datasets related to Essex County. The key tables are described below:
| Table Name | Description | Key Columns |
|---|---|---|
| traffic_data | Real-time and historical traffic data. | timestamp, location_id, speed, volume |
| environmental_data | Air quality, water quality, and weather data. | timestamp, sensor_id, parameter, value |
| public_health_data | Anonymized public health statistics. | timestamp, age_group, postcode, condition |
Regular database backups are performed, following the Database Backup Policy. Database access is restricted to authorized personnel only.
Security Considerations
Security is paramount. All servers are hardened according to the Server Hardening Checklist. Regular vulnerability scans are conducted using Nessus. Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) are deployed to monitor for malicious activity. All access to the servers is logged and audited. Refer to the Incident Response Plan in case of a security breach.
Future Scalability
The system is designed to scale horizontally. Adding more AI training nodes or inference servers is straightforward using Kubernetes. We are also exploring the use of cloud-based services for burst capacity. The Scalability Plan outlines the future expansion strategy.
| Component | Current Capacity | Projected Capacity (12 months) |
|---|---|---|
| AI Training Nodes | 4 | 8 |
| Inference Servers | 6 | 12 |
| Data Storage | 128 TB | 256 TB |
Related Pages
Intel-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Core i7-6700K/7700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB | CPU Benchmark: 8046 |
| Core i7-8700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 13124 |
| Core i9-9900K Server | 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 49969 |
| Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
| Core i5-13500 Workstation | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000 |
AMD-Based Server Configurations
| Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 3600 Server | 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 17849 |
| Ryzen 7 7700 Server | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 35224 |
| Ryzen 9 5950X Server | 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 46045 |
| Ryzen 9 7950X Server | 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 63561 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) | 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) | 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
| EPYC 9454P Server | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe |
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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️