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Latest revision as of 19:18, 2 October 2025
Technical Documentation: MediaWiki Security Configuration (MW-SEC-2024)
Introduction
This document details the specifications, performance characteristics, and maintenance requirements for the specialized server configuration designated MW-SEC-2024, optimized specifically for hosting high-security, high-availability instances of MediaWiki software, targeting version 1.40 or later. This configuration prioritizes data integrity, access control, and defense-in-depth measures over raw throughput for speculative content generation, focusing instead on secure transaction processing and robust uptime for critical knowledge bases.
1. Hardware Specifications
The MW-SEC-2024 configuration utilizes enterprise-grade components validated for long-term stability and hardware-assisted security features. The foundation is built upon a dual-socket architecture to ensure high availability via NUMA optimization and redundancy across critical subsystems.
1.1 Server Platform Details
The base platform is a 2U rackmount chassis designed for high-density environments requiring stringent environmental controls.
| Component | Specification | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis Model | Dell PowerEdge R760xd or HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11 (Equivalent) | Optimized for storage density and cooling efficiency for high I/O workloads. |
| Motherboard Chipset | Intel C741 or AMD SP3/SP5 Platform (Specific to CPU selection) | Support for PCIe Gen5 and high-speed interconnects (e.g., CXL where applicable). |
| Form Factor | 2U Rackmount | Standardized deployment footprint. |
| Power Supplies | 2 x 1600W 80+ Platinum, Hot-Swappable, Redundant (N+1) | Ensures continuous operation during PSU maintenance or failure. Power Redundancy Protocols |
1.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU) Configuration
The CPU selection emphasizes strong single-thread performance for PHP execution (critical for MediaWiki response times) coupled with extensive hardware security features (e.g., Intel VT-x/AMD-V, SGX/SEV).
| Parameter | Value (Option A: Intel) | Value (Option B: AMD) |
|---|---|---|
| Model Family | Intel Xeon Scalable (Sapphire Rapids/Emerald Rapids) | AMD EPYC (Genoa/Bergamo) |
| Core Count (Total) | 2 x 24 Cores (48 Total Physical) | 2 x 32 Cores (64 Total Physical) |
| Base Clock Speed | Minimum 2.8 GHz | Minimum 3.0 GHz |
| L3 Cache | Minimum 60 MB per socket | Minimum 128 MB per socket (3D V-Cache variants preferred for high lookup loads) |
| Instruction Set Support | AVX-512, AES-NI, SHA Extensions | AVX-512, AES-NI, SME/SEV-SNP |
| Virtualization Support | VT-x with EPT, Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) | AMD-V with RVI, Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV-SNP) |
1.3 Memory (RAM) Subsystem
Memory capacity is sized to handle the entire MediaWiki cache (including object caching, session data, and opcode caching) entirely in RAM, minimizing disk latency for read operations. ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory is mandatory for data integrity.
| Parameter | Specification | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | 512 GB DDR5 RDIMM | Sufficient headroom for OS, database buffers, and large content caches. Memory Allocation Strategies |
| Speed/Type | DDR5-4800 ECC Registered (RDIMM) | Maximizes bandwidth while maintaining stability and error detection. |
| Configuration | 16 DIMMs x 32 GB (Populated across 8 channels per CPU) | Ensures optimal memory interleaving and NUMA balancing. NUMA Architecture Optimization |
| Security Feature | Hardware Memory Encryption Support (e.g., Intel TDX Modules) | Used if TEE-based database encryption is implemented. |
1.4 Storage Architecture (I/O Subsystem)
Storage is segmented into three logical volumes: OS/System, Primary Database (MariaDB/PostgreSQL), and MediaWiki File Store (including local cache and user uploads). All storage utilizes NVMe SSDs for low-latency transactional integrity.
| Volume/Purpose | Technology | Capacity | Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boot/OS | 2 x 480GB SATA SSD (Mirrored) | 480 GB Usable | RAID 1 (Hardware or Software via ZFS/mdadm) |
| Database (DB) | 4 x 3.84TB Enterprise NVMe U.2/M.2 (PCIe Gen4/5) | 15.36 TB Raw | RAID 10 for high IOPS consistency and redundancy. Database Replication Topologies |
| File Store (Local Cache/Session) | 2 x 1.92TB Enterprise NVMe U.2 | 3.84 TB Usable | RAID 1 for session/upload redundancy. Utilizes XFS filesystem optimized for large sequential writes/reads. |
1.5 Networking and Security Hardware
Network resilience and security enforcement are handled by dedicated hardware interfaces.
| Component | Specification | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Network Interface Cards (NICs) | 2 x 25 GbE ConnectX-6 (Dual Port) | Primary high-speed data path. Redundancy via LACP bonding. Link Aggregation Control Protocol |
| Management Port (IPMI/iDRAC/iLO) | Dedicated 1 GbE Port | Out-of-band management, critical for remote security patching and hardware monitoring. |
| Hardware Security Module (HSM) | Optional: Dedicated PCIe Card (e.g., Thales Luna) | For storing and managing root cryptographic keys, TLS certificates, and database encryption keys. Hardware Security Modules |
2. Performance Characteristics
The MW-SEC-2024 configuration is benchmarked against typical MediaWiki operational profiles, focusing on concurrent read/write operations, cache hit ratios, and latency under load, rather than peak web serving capacity.
2.1 Benchmarking Methodology
Testing utilizes synthetic load generation simulating typical wiki activity: 70% anonymous reads, 20% logged-in edits (small text changes), and 10% complex administrative tasks (e.g., large file uploads, complex template rendering). The primary metric is the P95 latency for page rendering.
2.2 Database Performance Metrics
Since MediaWiki is inherently database-bound, storage and CPU performance are critical here. The storage subsystem is tested using `fio` targeting database transaction benchmarks.
| Metric | Result (Average) | Target Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Random Read IOPS (4K blocks) | 450,000 IOPS | > 400,000 IOPS |
| Random Write IOPS (4K blocks) | 380,000 IOPS | > 350,000 IOPS |
| Sequential Read Throughput | 18 GB/s | N/A (Secondary metric) |
| P99 Write Latency (ms) | 0.25 ms | < 0.5 ms (Critical for transaction commit times) |
2.3 Application Layer Performance (PHP/MediaWiki)
Performance is measured using the built-in MediaWiki benchmarking tool (`php maintenance/bench.php`) configured to simulate 100 concurrent users performing mixed operations. Caching layers (Redis/Memcached) are assumed to be highly optimized. Opcode Caching Best Practices
| Operation Type | Latency (ms) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anonymous Page View (Cache Hit) | 8 ms | Reflects minimal overhead from PHP FPM and network stack. |
| Logged-in Page View (Cache Miss/DB Read) | 35 ms | Tests CPU time for template parsing and database query execution. |
| Minor Edit Save (Write Transaction) | 65 ms | Includes database commit, cache invalidation, and revision storage. Database Write Contention |
| Complex Search Query (Full-Text Index) | 110 ms | Highly dependent on Elasticsearch/Solr integration performance. |
2.4 Security Overhead Analysis
Performance degradation due to mandatory security layers (e.g., full disk encryption using LUKS, TLS 1.3 termination, and mandatory two-factor authentication processing) is measured.
- **AES-NI Impact:** Minimal, less than 1% overhead on CPU-intensive tasks due to hardware acceleration.
- **TLS 1.3 Handshake Latency:** Increased by an average of 4ms per new connection compared to unencrypted traffic, acceptable given the context.
- **Mandatory Code Signing Verification:** Runtime checks for critical binaries introduce a negligible overhead (< 0.1ms per process execution).
3. Recommended Use Cases
The MW-SEC-2024 configuration is engineered for environments where data integrity, regulatory compliance (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, internal corporate governance), and protection against tampering are paramount concerns.
3.1 Regulated Knowledge Repositories
This configuration is ideal for internal corporate wikis holding sensitive intellectual property, compliance documentation, or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The robust storage redundancy and hardware security features mitigate risks associated with data loss or unauthorized modification. Data Integrity Verification
3.2 Secure Project Documentation (SDLC)
For software development lifecycle documentation where version control and audit trails must be immutable and cryptographically verifiable, this setup provides the necessary performance to handle frequent small updates typical in Agile environments without sacrificing security posture.
3.3 High-Assurance Training Platforms
When MediaWiki is used as the backend for mandatory security awareness training or certification tracking, the system must guarantee that records cannot be altered retroactively. The primary focus shifts to write verification and audit logging performance. Audit Log Implementation
3.4 Disaster Recovery (DR) Primary Node
Due to its high component redundancy (PSUs, RAID 10, dual NICs), this configuration serves excellently as the primary node in an active-passive or active-active DR topology, capable of handling immediate failover with minimal performance degradation. Disaster Recovery Planning
4. Comparison with Similar Configurations
To contextualize the MW-SEC-2024, we compare it against two common alternative configurations: the standard high-throughput configuration (MW-HT-2024) and a budget-constrained configuration (MW-LITE-2024).
4.1 Configuration Profiles Summary
| Feature | MW-SEC-2024 (This Document) | MW-HT-2024 (High Throughput) | MW-LITE-2024 (Budget) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Architecture | Dual Socket Enterprise (High Core/Security Features) | Dual Socket High-Frequency (Max Core Count) | Single Socket Mid-Range |
| Memory Capacity | 512 GB ECC DDR5 | 1024 GB ECC DDR5 | 128 GB ECC DDR4 |
| Storage Type | NVMe U.2 RAID 10 (Primary DB) | All-Flash SAS Array (High IOPS Burst) | SATA SSD RAID 5 (System/Files) |
| Network Interface | 2 x 25 GbE Redundant | 4 x 100 GbE (LACP 4-way) | 2 x 10 GbE Standard |
| Key Security Focus | Hardware Root of Trust, Encryption, Redundancy | Network Throughput, DDoS Mitigation (External) | Basic OS Hardening |
4.2 Performance Trade-offs Analysis
The MW-SEC-2024 trades off raw peak throughput (available in MW-HT-2024) for deterministic latency and robust security features.
- **Versus MW-HT-2024:** The MW-HT-2024 uses larger RAM pools (1TB+) and potentially higher core counts (up to 128 total cores) optimized for serving millions of anonymous requests quickly. However, the MW-SEC-2024’s dedicated NVMe RAID 10 ensures that critical, logged-in writes are never bottlenecked by shared storage pools, which is a risk in highly generalized HT setups. Database Isolation Levels
- **Versus MW-LITE-2024:** The MW-LITE-2024 relies on slower storage and less CPU headroom, leading to P95 latencies exceeding 200ms under moderate load. Furthermore, it generally lacks hardware support for modern memory encryption and Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), making it unsuitable for compliance-heavy workloads. Server Hardware Tiers
5. Maintenance Considerations
Maintaining a high-security configuration requires adherence to stricter change control and preventative maintenance schedules than standard deployments.
5.1 Patch Management and Firmware Integrity
The security posture relies heavily on the integrity of the underlying firmware.
- **BIOS/UEFI Updates:** Must be validated against vendor security advisories (e.g., Spectre/Meltdown mitigations). Updates must be applied immediately, using the secure out-of-band management interface (IPMI/iLO). Firmware Update Procedures
- **Storage Controller Firmware:** Critical to maintain vendor-recommended firmware levels to ensure NVMe encryption engines and RAID parity calculations operate correctly. Drives must be checked for uncorrectable error counts post-update. NVMe Drive Health Monitoring
- **OS Patching:** A strict 48-hour window is mandated for applying critical OS patches (Kernel, Hypervisor, Security Libraries). All patches must undergo pre-deployment testing in a staging environment mirroring the hardware configuration.
5.2 Environmental and Power Requirements
The high-density, high-component count (especially NVMe drives) necessitates strict environmental controls.
- **Cooling:** The system requires a minimum of 18°C (64.4°F) intake temperature, with maximum operating ambient temperature strictly enforced at 27°C (80.6°F) to prevent thermal throttling, which can degrade security-related CPU functions (e.g., cryptographic offloads). Data Center Cooling Standards
- **Power Density:** At 1600W redundant PSUs, the power draw under full load (including background encryption/integrity checks) can peak near 1.4 kW. Rack PDU capacity planning must account for this high density. Power Distribution Units (PDU)
5.3 Backup and Recovery Protocols
Security mandates that backups are not only available but also verifiable against tampering.
- **Immutable Backups:** The configuration strongly recommends utilizing object storage (e.g., AWS S3 Object Lock or equivalent on-premise solutions) for long-term backups to ensure that deleted or corrupted versions cannot be overwritten by an attacker who gains administrative access to the primary server. Immutable Storage Strategies
- **Database Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR):** Continuous archiving of WAL/Redo logs is essential for the 3.84TB database volume to allow recovery to the exact second before a security incident was detected. Database Backup Verification
5.4 Monitoring and Alerting
Proactive monitoring is crucial to detect deviations from the established secure baseline.
- **Hardware Health:** Alerts must be configured for any change in RAID status, PSU failure, or drive SMART warnings.
- **Security Events:** Integration with a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system is mandatory to track failed login attempts, unexpected process execution (e.g., unauthorized use of `sudo`), and configuration file modification alerts triggered by File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) tools like AIDE or OSSEC. File Integrity Monitoring
- **Resource Utilization Baselines:** Alerts should trigger if CPU utilization spikes outside the expected 30-50% range during off-peak hours, potentially indicating a cryptomining intrusion or unauthorized background processing. System Monitoring Tool Selection
5.5 MediaWiki Specific Maintenance
Regular maintenance specific to the MediaWiki application layer ensures continued security and performance.
- **Extension Auditing:** All installed extensions must be reviewed quarterly against the latest MediaWiki security advisories. Outdated or unmaintained extensions must be promptly disabled or replaced. MediaWiki Extension Security Management
- **User/Group Permissions Recertification:** Access control lists (ACLs) and user groups must be audited semi-annually to comply with the principle of least privilege. Principle of Least Privilege
- **Cache Invalidation Strategy Review:** Regularly test the cache purging mechanisms (e.g., using the CacheTool extension) to ensure that security updates or critical content changes propagate instantly across all layers. MediaWiki Caching Layers
Conclusion
The MW-SEC-2024 configuration provides a high-assurance platform for mission-critical MediaWiki deployments. By integrating enterprise-grade hardware with a focus on redundancy, high-speed transactional storage, and hardware-assisted security features, it significantly elevates the security posture compared to standard web server deployments. Adherence to the outlined maintenance protocols is essential to realizing the intended longevity and security guarantees of this specialized server build. Server Lifecycle Management Security Hardening Checklists MediaWiki Version Control Database Performance Tuning Network Security Segmentation
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.* ⚠️