AI in the Scotland Rainforest
- AI in the Scotland Rainforest: Server Configuration
This article details the server configuration used to support the "AI in the Scotland Rainforest" project, a research initiative utilizing artificial intelligence to monitor and analyze the unique ecosystem of the Scottish rainforest. This documentation is intended for new members of the technical team and provides a comprehensive overview of the hardware and software setup.
Project Overview
The "AI in the Scotland Rainforest" project involves deploying a network of sensors throughout various rainforest locations in Scotland. These sensors collect data on temperature, humidity, light levels, soundscapes (for species identification), and camera imagery. This data is transmitted to a central server cluster for processing and analysis using machine learning algorithms. The primary goals are to track biodiversity, monitor environmental changes, and develop predictive models for rainforest health. See also Rainforest Data Collection, Sensor Network Deployment, and Machine Learning Pipelines.
Server Hardware Configuration
The core of the system is a cluster of servers located at the University of the Highlands and Islands, providing the necessary computational power and storage capacity. The cluster is built around a high-performance network backbone and is designed for scalability and redundancy.
| Component | Specification | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Xeon Gold 6338 (32 cores) | 6 |
| RAM | 256GB DDR4 ECC Registered | 6 |
| Storage (OS/Boot) | 1TB NVMe SSD | 6 |
| Storage (Data) | 16TB SAS HDD (RAID 6) | 12 |
| Network Interface | 100Gbps Ethernet | 6 |
| Power Supply | 1600W Redundant | 6 |
The servers are housed in a dedicated rack with appropriate cooling and power distribution units (PDUs). See Server Room Specifications for detailed information on environmental controls. The network infrastructure utilizes Virtual LANs to isolate different parts of the system.
Software Stack
The software stack is built on a Linux foundation (Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS) and incorporates various open-source tools for data processing, machine learning, and visualization.
Operating System
Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS is used as the base operating system. It provides a stable and secure environment for the other software components. Ubuntu Server Documentation provides detailed installation and configuration instructions.
Database System
PostgreSQL 15 is used as the primary database for storing sensor data and metadata. It's chosen for its reliability, scalability, and support for complex queries. Data is organized using a relational schema designed for efficient analysis. See Database Schema Design for details.
Machine Learning Framework
PyTorch 2.0 is the primary machine learning framework employed for developing and training the AI models. It offers flexibility and performance for deep learning tasks. PyTorch Tutorials are available for newcomers to the framework. We also use TensorFlow 2.12 for specific models.
Data Processing Pipeline
The data processing pipeline is built using Apache Kafka for message queuing and Apache Spark for distributed data processing. This allows for real-time ingestion and analysis of sensor data. Refer to Kafka Configuration and Spark Cluster Management for details.
Monitoring and Logging
Prometheus and Grafana are used for system monitoring and visualization. The ELK stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) is used for log aggregation and analysis. Prometheus Setup Guide and ELK Stack Deployment provide detailed instructions.
Networking Configuration
The server cluster is connected to the university network via a 100Gbps Ethernet link. A dedicated VLAN is used to isolate the AI in the Scotland Rainforest project from other network traffic.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| VLAN ID | 1000 |
| Subnet Mask | 255.255.255.0 |
| Gateway | 192.168.1000.1 |
| DNS Servers | 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4 |
Firewall rules are configured using `iptables` to restrict access to the servers and protect against unauthorized access. See Firewall Management for details. The servers are also accessible via SSH for remote administration.
Security Considerations
Security is a paramount concern for the AI in the Scotland Rainforest project. Several measures are in place to protect the data and infrastructure:
- Regular security audits are conducted to identify and address vulnerabilities.
- Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication are enforced for all user accounts.
- Data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
- Firewall rules are regularly reviewed and updated.
- Intrusion detection and prevention systems are deployed. See Security Best Practices.
Future Expansion
As the project evolves, the server infrastructure will need to be expanded to accommodate increasing data volumes and more complex AI models. Future plans include:
- Adding more servers to the cluster.
- Upgrading the network infrastructure to 200Gbps Ethernet.
- Implementing a distributed file system (e.g., Ceph) for improved storage scalability.
- Exploring the use of GPU acceleration for machine learning tasks. See GPU Cluster Configuration.
| Future Upgrade | Estimated Timeline | Cost (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Server Nodes (x3) | Q1 2024 | £20,000 |
| Network Upgrade (200Gbps) | Q2 2024 | £10,000 |
| Distributed File System (Ceph) | Q3 2024 | £15,000 |
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the server configuration for the "AI in the Scotland Rainforest" project. For more detailed information, please refer to the linked documentation. Project Documentation Hub
Server Maintenance Schedule
Data Backup Procedures
Disaster Recovery Plan
User Account Management
Network Topology Diagram
Software License Management
Environmental Monitoring Data
Sensor Calibration Procedures
AI Model Training Data
Data Privacy Policy
Incident Response Plan
Regular System Updates
Security Audit Reports
Contact Information
Project Team Members
Glossary of Terms
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.* ⚠️