AI in Antarctica

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  1. REDIRECT AI in Antarctica

AI in Antarctica: Server Configuration and Deployment

This article details the server configuration for the 'AI in Antarctica' project, a research initiative utilizing artificial intelligence for climate data analysis at the McMurdo Station. This document is intended as a guide for new system administrators joining the project and assumes a basic understanding of Linux server administration and MediaWiki syntax. We will cover hardware specifications, software stack, networking, and security considerations. This project leverages a hybrid cloud approach, utilizing on-site servers for low-latency data processing and cloud resources for long-term storage and computationally intensive tasks. See also: Data Acquisition Systems, Remote Access Protocols, Power Management.

Hardware Infrastructure

The Antarctic environment presents unique challenges for server hardware, including extreme temperatures, high humidity, and limited bandwidth. Our on-site server cluster consists of three primary nodes, each built for redundancy and reliability. All servers are housed in a climate-controlled rack within the McMurdo Station's IT facility.

Server Role Model CPU RAM Storage Network Interface
Primary Compute Node 1 Supermicro SYS-2029U-TR4 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6248R @ 3.0GHz 256GB DDR4 ECC REG 2 x 4TB NVMe SSD (RAID 1) + 1 x 16TB HDD 2 x 10GbE
Primary Compute Node 2 Supermicro SYS-2029U-TR4 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6248R @ 3.0GHz 256GB DDR4 ECC REG 2 x 4TB NVMe SSD (RAID 1) + 1 x 16TB HDD 2 x 10GbE
Backup & Storage Node Dell PowerEdge R740xd 2 x Intel Xeon Silver 4210 @ 2.1GHz 128GB DDR4 ECC REG 6 x 16TB HDD (RAID 6) 2 x 10GbE

These specifications were chosen based on a balance of performance, power efficiency, and reliability in extreme conditions. Regular hardware health checks are performed, as detailed in the Maintenance Schedule.

Software Stack

The operating system of choice is Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS, providing a stable and well-supported platform. We utilize Docker containers for application deployment, ensuring isolation and reproducibility. The core software components include:

  • Operating System: Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS
  • Containerization: Docker 20.10.12
  • Orchestration: Docker Compose
  • AI Framework: TensorFlow 2.9.1 & PyTorch 1.12.1
  • Database: PostgreSQL 14
  • Monitoring: Prometheus & Grafana (see Monitoring Dashboard)
  • Version Control: Git (using GitLab for repository management)
Software Component Version Purpose
TensorFlow 2.9.1 Machine Learning Framework
PyTorch 1.12.1 Deep Learning Framework
PostgreSQL 14 Data Storage and Management
Prometheus 2.38.0 System Monitoring
Grafana 8.5.1 Data Visualization

Detailed installation and configuration guides for each component are available in the Software Documentation section.

Networking and Connectivity

Connectivity to McMurdo Station is limited and subject to intermittent disruptions. We employ a combination of satellite links and terrestrial fiber optic cables (when available). The on-site network is a private 10GbE network, segmented for security. A dedicated VPN connection provides secure access for remote researchers. The server cluster utilizes a static IP address scheme. See also: Network Topology Diagram.

Network Component IP Address Range Purpose
Core Router 192.168.1.1 Network Gateway
Compute Nodes 1 & 2 192.168.1.10 - 192.168.1.11 AI Processing
Storage Node 192.168.1.12 Data Storage & Backup
Remote Access VPN 10.0.0.0/24 Secure Remote Access

Bandwidth is monitored constantly, and data transfer schedules are optimized to minimize impact during peak hours. Bandwidth Management procedures are in place to prioritize critical data streams.

Security Considerations

Security is paramount, given the remote location and sensitive nature of the data. The following security measures are implemented:

  • Firewall: ufw (Uncomplicated Firewall) configured with strict access control rules.
  • Intrusion Detection: Fail2ban configured to monitor for and block malicious activity.
  • VPN: OpenVPN used for secure remote access.
  • Regular Security Audits: Performed quarterly to identify and address vulnerabilities.
  • Data Encryption: All data at rest and in transit is encrypted using AES-256.
  • Access Control: Role-based access control (RBAC) is implemented using Linux user groups and permissions.

Refer to the Security Policy for a comprehensive overview of security procedures. All users are required to complete Security Training before accessing the system.

Future Expansion

Planned future expansion includes the integration of a GPU cluster for accelerated machine learning tasks and the implementation of a more robust disaster recovery plan. We also intend to explore the use of edge computing devices deployed closer to data collection sites. See Project Roadmap for details.


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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
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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️