AI in the Arctic Circle
AI in the Arctic Circle: Server Configuration
This article details the server configuration for the "AI in the Arctic Circle" project, a research initiative focused on utilizing artificial intelligence for climate modeling and environmental monitoring in the Arctic region. This guide is intended for new system administrators joining the project and needing a comprehensive understanding of the infrastructure. It covers hardware, software, networking, and security considerations.
Overview
The "AI in the Arctic Circle" project requires a robust and reliable server infrastructure due to the remote location and demanding computational needs. The servers are located in a purpose-built, environmentally controlled facility in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway. The facility is designed for high energy efficiency and resilience against the harsh Arctic climate. Data is collected from a network of sensors across the Arctic, processed locally, and then transmitted to partner institutions globally. We leverage a hybrid cloud approach, with core processing done on-site for latency reasons and data archiving/long-term analysis performed in the cloud. Data security is paramount, given the sensitive nature of the environmental data collected. Network redundancy is critical as terrestrial fiber connections are limited.
Hardware Configuration
The core of the server infrastructure consists of high-performance compute nodes. We utilize a combination of CPU and GPU-based servers to handle the diverse workloads of the project.
| Server Type | Quantity | CPU | RAM | Storage | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compute Node (CPU) | 8 | 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6338 | 512 GB DDR4 ECC | 4 x 4TB NVMe SSD (RAID 10) | None |
| Compute Node (GPU) | 4 | 2 x Intel Xeon Silver 4310 | 256 GB DDR4 ECC | 2 x 4TB NVMe SSD (RAID 1) | 2 x NVIDIA A100 (80GB) |
| Storage Server | 2 | 2 x Intel Xeon E-2336 | 128 GB DDR4 ECC | 16 x 16TB SAS HDD (RAID 6) | None |
Networking hardware consists of high-bandwidth switches and routers, with redundant connections to the outside world. See the Network Architecture section for more details. Power is supplied by a combination of grid power and a dedicated backup generator. Power management is a key concern.
Software Configuration
The servers run a customized distribution of Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS. The operating system is hardened using security best practices and regularly patched. Containerization using Docker and Kubernetes is extensively used for deploying and managing applications.
| Software Component | Version | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS | Base operating system |
| Docker | 24.0.7 | Containerization platform |
| Kubernetes | 1.28 | Container orchestration |
| NVIDIA Drivers | 535.104.05 | GPU drivers |
| Python | 3.10 | Primary programming language for AI models |
| TensorFlow | 2.13 | Machine learning framework |
| PyTorch | 2.0 | Machine learning framework |
All configuration is managed using Ansible for automated provisioning and configuration management. Monitoring tools like Prometheus and Grafana are used to track server performance and identify potential issues. Log management is handled by the ELK stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana).
Network Architecture
The network architecture is designed for high availability and bandwidth. The servers are connected to a local network via 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches. The facility has two independent internet connections provided by different providers. A load balancer distributes traffic across the connections to ensure redundancy.
| Network Component | IP Address Range | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Core Switch 1 | 192.168.1.0/24 | Internal network backbone |
| Core Switch 2 | 192.168.2.0/24 | Internal network backbone (redundant) |
| Firewall | 10.0.0.1 | Network security and access control |
| Load Balancer | 10.0.0.2 | Distributes traffic across internet connections |
| Internet Connection 1 | Public IP (Provider A) | Primary internet access |
| Internet Connection 2 | Public IP (Provider B) | Redundant internet access |
Firewall rules are strictly enforced to restrict access to the servers. VPN access is available for remote administration. Regular network security audits are conducted.
Security Considerations
Security is a top priority for the "AI in the Arctic Circle" project. The servers are protected by a multi-layered security approach. This includes:
- **Firewall:** A stateful firewall controls network access.
- **Intrusion Detection System (IDS):** An IDS monitors network traffic for malicious activity.
- **Regular Security Updates:** The operating system and software are regularly updated with the latest security patches.
- **Access Control:** Strict access control policies are enforced.
- **Data Encryption:** Data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
- **Backup and Disaster Recovery:** Regular backups are performed, and a disaster recovery plan is in place. Data backup procedures are documented separately.
- Incident response plan is regularly reviewed and tested.
Future Expansion
Planned future expansions include adding more GPU-based compute nodes to increase processing capacity and integrating a larger cloud storage solution for long-term data archiving. Scalability planning is ongoing. Further research will investigate utilizing specialized AI accelerators for improved performance.
Main Page Technical Documentation Contact Support FAQ Server Maintenance Schedule Data Processing Pipeline Sensor Network Configuration Cloud Integration Details Security Policy Network Diagrams Troubleshooting Guide Change Management Process Monitoring Dashboard
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.* ⚠️