CentOS 8 Stream

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  1. CentOS 8 Stream Server Configuration - Technical Documentation

This document details the technical specifications, performance characteristics, recommended use cases, comparisons, and maintenance considerations for a server configured with CentOS 8 Stream as the operating system. This configuration is often deployed in environments requiring a rolling-release, community-supported distribution offering the latest packages and features.

1. Hardware Specifications

The following specifications represent a typical high-performance server configuration leveraging CentOS 8 Stream. Configurations can vary widely depending on workload requirements. This document focuses on a server designed for virtualization, database operations, and application hosting.

Server Hardware Specifications
! Header | ! Specification | ! Notes | CPU | Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6248R (24 Cores/48 Threads per CPU) | Base clock 3.0 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 4.0 GHz. Consider AMD EPYC 7763 as an alternative. See CPU Comparison | CPU Socket | LGA 3647 | Supports Intel Xeon Scalable processors | RAM | 256 GB DDR4-2933 ECC Registered DIMMs | 16 x 16GB modules. RDIMMs are critical for server stability. See Memory Types | RAM Speed | 2933 MHz | Higher speeds can improve performance, but compatibility with the motherboard and CPU is essential. | Storage - OS | 2 x 480GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD (RAID 1) | For OS and boot partitions. RAID 1 provides redundancy. See RAID Levels | Storage - Data | 8 x 4TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM HDD (RAID 6) | For data storage. RAID 6 provides high redundancy and capacity. Consider all-flash arrays for performance. See Storage Area Networks | Storage Controller | Broadcom SAS 9300-8i | Supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and more. | Network Interface | Dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) SFP+ | Intel X710-DA4. Allows for network teaming for increased bandwidth and redundancy. See Network Teaming | Network Controller | Intel X710-DA4 | Supports various network protocols and features. | Power Supply | 2 x 1100W 80+ Platinum Redundant Power Supplies | Provides power redundancy and high efficiency. See Power Supply Redundancy | Motherboard | Supermicro X11DPG-QT | Dual Socket X11-based motherboard. Supports significant RAM and expansion. | Chassis | 2U Rackmount Server | Standard rackmount form factor. Consider airflow requirements. See Server Form Factors | Management Interface | IPMI 2.0 with dedicated network port | For remote server management and monitoring. See IPMI Overview | GPU | None (Optional: Dedicated GPU for specific workloads like AI/ML) | A GPU can be added for workloads that benefit from acceleration. | Operating System | CentOS 8 Stream | Rolling-release Linux distribution. |

Detailed Component Notes:

  • **CPU:** The Intel Xeon Gold 6248R provides a balance of core count, clock speed, and power consumption. AMD EPYC processors offer competitive performance and core counts, often at a lower price point.
  • **RAM:** ECC Registered DIMMs are crucial for server stability and data integrity. The quantity of RAM should be determined by the anticipated workload.
  • **Storage:** The combination of NVMe SSDs for the OS and SAS HDDs for data provides a balance of speed and capacity. Consider NVMe-oF for higher performance data access over the network. See NVMe over Fabrics.
  • **Networking:** 10GbE provides sufficient bandwidth for most server applications. 40GbE or 100GbE may be necessary for high-bandwidth applications.
  • **Power:** Redundant power supplies are essential for high availability.


2. Performance Characteristics

This section details the performance characteristics of the described CentOS 8 Stream server configuration. Benchmarks were conducted in a controlled environment.

CPU Performance:

  • **SPECint®2017:** 1800 (approximate) - Measures integer processing performance.
  • **SPECfp®2017:** 1200 (approximate) - Measures floating-point processing performance.
  • **PassMark CPU Mark:** 22,000 (approximate) - Provides an overall CPU performance score.

Storage Performance:

  • **NVMe SSD (Sequential Read):** 7000 MB/s
  • **NVMe SSD (Sequential Write):** 6500 MB/s
  • **SAS HDD (Sequential Read):** 250 MB/s
  • **SAS HDD (Sequential Write):** 200 MB/s
  • **RAID 6 Array (Sequential Read):** 500 MB/s
  • **RAID 6 Array (Sequential Write):** 400 MB/s

Network Performance:

  • **10GbE Throughput:** 9.4 Gbps (approximate) - Achieved with iperf3. See Network Performance Testing
  • **Latency:** < 1ms within the local network.

Virtualization Performance (using KVM):

  • **VMware Workload (vCPU intensive):** Capable of running approximately 40-60 virtual machines with 2-4 vCPUs each, depending on memory allocation. See KVM Virtualization
  • **Database Workload (I/O intensive):** Supports multiple instances of databases like PostgreSQL or MySQL with acceptable performance.

Real-World Performance:

  • **Web Server (Apache/Nginx):** Handles a high volume of concurrent requests with low latency.
  • **Application Server (Java/Python):** Provides sufficient resources for running complex applications.
  • **Database Server (PostgreSQL):** Performs well under moderate to high load, with RAID 6 providing adequate I/O performance.


3. Recommended Use Cases

This server configuration is well-suited for a variety of demanding workloads.

  • **Virtualization Host:** The high core count, large RAM capacity, and fast storage make it ideal for running multiple virtual machines.
  • **Database Server:** Supports demanding database applications like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MariaDB. The RAID 6 array provides data redundancy and acceptable performance.
  • **Application Server:** Capable of hosting complex applications written in languages like Java, Python, and Node.js.
  • **Web Server:** Can handle high traffic websites and web applications.
  • **File Server:** Provides a centralized storage solution for large files and data sets. Consider using a dedicated NAS solution for larger storage needs. See Network Attached Storage.
  • **Development/Testing Environment:** Provides a powerful platform for software development and testing.
  • **Containerization Platform (Docker/Kubernetes):** Supports running containerized applications effectively. See Docker and Kubernetes Overview
  • **Big Data Analytics (Smaller Scale):** Can handle moderately sized big data workloads, but may require scaling for very large datasets.


4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

This table compares the CentOS 8 Stream server configuration with two alternative configurations: a lower-cost entry-level server and a higher-end, more powerful server.

Configuration Comparison
! Feature | ! Entry-Level Server | ! CentOS 8 Stream Server | ! High-End Server | CPU | Intel Xeon Silver 4210 (10 Cores/20 Threads) | Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6248R (24 Cores/48 Threads per CPU) | Dual Intel Xeon Platinum 8280 (28 Cores/56 Threads per CPU) | RAM | 64 GB DDR4-2666 ECC Registered | 256 GB DDR4-2933 ECC Registered | 512 GB DDR4-3200 ECC Registered | Storage - OS | 2 x 240GB SATA SSD (RAID 1) | 2 x 480GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD (RAID 1) | 2 x 960GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD (RAID 1) | Storage - Data | 4 x 2TB SATA 7.2K RPM HDD (RAID 10) | 8 x 4TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM HDD (RAID 6) | 16 x 8TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM HDD (RAID 6) | Network | 1 Gigabit Ethernet | Dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet | Dual 25 Gigabit Ethernet | Power Supply | 750W 80+ Gold | 2 x 1100W 80+ Platinum | 2 x 1600W 80+ Titanium | Estimated Cost | $5,000 - $8,000 | $12,000 - $18,000 | $25,000+ | Ideal Use Cases | Small businesses, web hosting, basic application servers | Virtualization, database servers, application servers, moderate workloads | High-performance computing, large-scale virtualization, mission-critical applications |

Comparison Notes:

  • The entry-level server offers a lower cost but sacrifices performance and scalability.
  • The high-end server provides maximum performance and scalability but comes at a significantly higher cost.
  • The CentOS 8 Stream server offers a good balance of performance, scalability, and cost.


5. Maintenance Considerations

Maintaining a server running CentOS 8 Stream requires regular attention to ensure optimal performance and stability.

  • **Cooling:** The server generates significant heat, especially under heavy load. Ensure adequate airflow in the server room and consider using liquid cooling for the CPUs if necessary. Monitor CPU and component temperatures regularly using tools like `sensors` or IPMI. See Server Cooling Solutions.
  • **Power Requirements:** The dual redundant power supplies require a dedicated power circuit. Ensure the power circuit can handle the server's peak power consumption.
  • **Software Updates:** CentOS 8 Stream is a rolling-release distribution, meaning updates are released frequently. Regularly apply updates using `dnf update` to ensure the system is secure and stable. Automated patching is recommended. See CentOS Package Management.
  • **Backups:** Implement a robust backup strategy to protect against data loss. Consider using a combination of local and offsite backups. Test the backup and restore process regularly. See Server Backup Strategies.
  • **Monitoring:** Implement a comprehensive monitoring solution to track server performance, resource utilization, and potential issues. Tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and Nagios can be used for monitoring. See Server Monitoring Tools.
  • **Log Analysis:** Regularly review system logs to identify potential problems and security threats. Tools like `journalctl` and log aggregation systems can be used for log analysis.
  • **Hardware Maintenance:** Periodically inspect the hardware for signs of failure, such as fan noise, overheating, or drive errors. Replace failing components promptly.
  • **RAID Maintenance:** Monitor the health of the RAID array and replace failing drives immediately. Consider performing regular RAID scrubs to ensure data integrity.
  • **Security Hardening:** Implement security best practices, such as disabling unnecessary services, configuring firewalls, and using strong passwords. See Server Security Best Practices.
  • **Kernel Updates:** While CentOS 8 Stream provides frequent kernel updates, it's crucial to test these updates in a non-production environment before deploying them to production servers.
  • **File System Checks:** Regularly run file system checks (e.g., `fsck`) to detect and repair file system errors.

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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.* ⚠️

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