Central Authentication System

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  1. Central Authentication System - Server Configuration Documentation

This document details the hardware configuration for a dedicated Central Authentication System (CAS) server. This configuration is designed to handle a large user base, provide high availability, and maintain strong security.

1. Hardware Specifications

The CAS server configuration prioritizes redundancy, reliability, and performance. Each component is selected to minimize single points of failure. This configuration assumes a dual-server active/passive failover setup, but the specifications represent a *single* server's hardware. Replication and synchronization are handled by software (see Data Replication Strategies).

CPU

  • **Model:** Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6348 (28 cores/56 threads per CPU)
  • **Clock Speed:** 2.6 GHz base, 3.5 GHz Turbo Boost
  • **Cache:** 42 MB L3 Cache per CPU
  • **TDP:** 270W per CPU
  • **Architecture:** Ice Lake
  • **Instruction Set Extensions:** AVX-512, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d
  • **Rationale:** The high core count and clock speed are crucial for the cryptographic operations inherent in authentication processes (e.g., hashing, encryption) and for handling concurrent user requests. AVX-512 accelerates these operations. Virtualization extensions are important for potential containerization of authentication services Containerization Best Practices.

RAM

  • **Capacity:** 512 GB DDR4 ECC Registered
  • **Speed:** 3200 MHz
  • **Configuration:** 16 x 32GB DIMMs (8 per CPU)
  • **Rank:** Dual Rank
  • **Error Correction:** ECC (Error-Correcting Code)
  • **Rationale:** CAS servers are memory-intensive. Authentication data (session information, user attributes) is often cached in memory to reduce latency. ECC RAM is *essential* for data integrity, preventing silent data corruption that could compromise security. The large capacity accommodates large user bases and complex authentication schemes. See Memory Management in Server Environments for further details.

Storage

  • **Operating System Drive:** 2 x 480 GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD (RAID 1)
  • **Authentication Database Drive:** 4 x 2 TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD (RAID 10)
  • **Log Drive:** 1 x 960 GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD
  • **Backup Target (Local):** 2 x 8 TB SATA HDD (RAID 1) - *Note: This is for short-term backups only. Offsite backups are critical.*
  • **Rationale:** NVMe SSDs provide significantly faster read/write speeds compared to traditional SATA SSDs or HDDs. This is vital for rapid boot times, quick database access, and efficient logging. RAID configurations ensure redundancy and data protection. RAID 1 provides mirroring for the OS drive, while RAID 10 offers a balance of performance and redundancy for the database. The log drive is isolated to minimize I/O contention with the database. See Storage Technologies for Enterprise Servers for a deep dive.

Network Interface Cards (NICs)

  • **Quantity:** 2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE)
  • **Type:** Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx
  • **Offload Capabilities:** RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCEv2), TCP Checksum Offload, Large Receive Offload (LRO)
  • **Rationale:** High-bandwidth network connectivity is crucial for handling a large volume of authentication requests. 10GbE provides sufficient throughput for most deployments. RDMA offloading reduces CPU utilization by transferring data directly between network cards, improving performance. Redundancy is built in with two NICs, allowing for network failover. See Network Performance Optimization for more information.

Power Supply

  • **Capacity:** 2 x 1600W 80+ Platinum Certified Redundant Power Supplies
  • **Efficiency:** 94% at 50% load
  • **Rationale:** Redundant power supplies ensure continuous operation in the event of a PSU failure. 80+ Platinum certification guarantees high energy efficiency, reducing operating costs and environmental impact. The high wattage provides ample headroom for all components, even under peak load. See Power Management in Data Centers for best practices.

Chassis

  • **Form Factor:** 2U Rackmount Server
  • **Material:** Steel with robust airflow design
  • **Rationale:** The 2U form factor allows for efficient use of rack space. The chassis is designed for optimal airflow to keep components cool.

Hardware Security Module (HSM)

  • **Model:** Thales Luna HSM 7
  • **Interface:** PCIe
  • **Rationale:** Securely stores and manages cryptographic keys used for authentication. HSMs provide a tamper-resistant environment, protecting keys from compromise. This is a critical security component for a CAS server. See Key Management Best Practices.

2. Performance Characteristics

Performance testing was conducted using a simulated load of 10,000 concurrent users.

Authentication Latency

  • **Average Authentication Time:** 15ms
  • **95th Percentile Authentication Time:** 30ms
  • **99th Percentile Authentication Time:** 50ms
  • **Testing Methodology:** Load testing was performed using Apache JMeter, simulating concurrent authentication requests against a test CAS instance.

Database Throughput

  • **Reads per Second (RPS):** 50,000
  • **Writes per Second (WPS):** 10,000
  • **Database:** PostgreSQL 14 with appropriate indexing and tuning. See Database Optimization for CAS for details.

Network Throughput

  • **Sustained Throughput:** 9.5 Gbps
  • **Packet Loss:** < 0.1%
  • **Testing Methodology:** iPerf3 was used to measure network throughput between the CAS server and a test client.

CPU Utilization

  • **Average CPU Utilization (under load):** 60%
  • **Peak CPU Utilization:** 85%

Memory Utilization

  • **Average Memory Utilization (under load):** 70%
  • **Peak Memory Utilization:** 80%

These results demonstrate the configuration's ability to handle a significant load with low latency and high throughput. However, performance will vary depending on the specific authentication protocols used (e.g., SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect) and the complexity of the authentication rules. Regular performance monitoring is essential. See Server Performance Monitoring Tools.

3. Recommended Use Cases

This CAS server configuration is ideal for:

  • **Large Enterprises:** Organizations with tens of thousands of users requiring centralized authentication.
  • **Educational Institutions:** Universities and colleges needing to authenticate students, faculty, and staff.
  • **Service Providers:** Companies offering cloud-based services that require secure user authentication.
  • **Highly Secure Environments:** Organizations that require a high level of security for their authentication infrastructure (e.g., financial institutions, government agencies).
  • **Federated Identity Management:** Supporting Single Sign-On (SSO) across multiple applications and services Federated Identity Management Principles.

4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

| Feature | CAS Server (This Configuration) | Mid-Range CAS Server | Entry-Level CAS Server | |---|---|---|---| | **CPU** | Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6348 | Dual Intel Xeon Silver 4310 | Single Intel Xeon E-2336 | | **RAM** | 512 GB DDR4 ECC | 256 GB DDR4 ECC | 64 GB DDR4 ECC | | **Storage (Database)** | 4 x 2 TB NVMe RAID 10 | 2 x 1 TB NVMe RAID 1 | 1 x 500 GB SATA SSD | | **Network** | 2 x 10GbE | 2 x 1GbE | 1 x 1GbE | | **HSM** | Thales Luna HSM 7 | Software-based Key Management | Software-based Key Management | | **Cost (Approximate)** | $30,000 - $40,000 | $15,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $10,000 | | **Concurrent Users** | 10,000+ | 2,500 - 5,000 | 500 - 1,000 | | **Availability** | High (Redundant components) | Medium (Limited redundancy) | Low (Single points of failure) |

The "Mid-Range" configuration is suitable for organizations with a moderate number of users and less stringent security requirements. The "Entry-Level" configuration is appropriate for small businesses or pilot deployments. The trade-offs between cost, performance, and availability must be carefully considered. See Capacity Planning for CAS for guidance.

5. Maintenance Considerations

Cooling

  • **Requirement:** Dedicated rack cooling is *essential*. The high TDP CPUs generate significant heat.
  • **Recommendation:** Hot aisle/cold aisle containment is recommended.
  • **Monitoring:** Monitor CPU and component temperatures regularly using server management tools (e.g., IPMI, iLO). See Data Center Cooling Strategies.

Power Requirements

  • **Total Power Consumption (peak):** ~2500W
  • **Circuit Requirements:** Dedicated 208V/30A circuit.
  • **UPS:** An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is *mandatory* to protect against power outages.
  • **Redundancy:** Dual redundant power supplies provide resilience against PSU failures.

Software Updates

  • **Operating System:** Regularly apply security patches and updates to the operating system (e.g., Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu Server).
  • **CAS Software:** Stay current with the latest CAS releases to benefit from bug fixes, security enhancements, and new features.
  • **Database:** Apply database updates and perform regular maintenance tasks (e.g., vacuuming, indexing). See Database Administration Best Practices.

Monitoring

  • **System Logs:** Monitor system logs for errors and warnings.
  • **Performance Metrics:** Track CPU utilization, memory utilization, network throughput, and disk I/O.
  • **Security Audits:** Conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities.
  • **Alerting:** Configure alerts to notify administrators of critical events. See Server Monitoring and Alerting Systems.

Physical Security

  • The server should be housed in a secure data center with restricted access.
  • Physical access to the server should be limited to authorized personnel only.

Backup and Disaster Recovery

  • Regular backups of the authentication database and CAS configuration are *critical*.
  • Offsite backups are essential for disaster recovery.
  • A well-defined disaster recovery plan should be in place. See Disaster Recovery Planning for Critical Systems.

Data Replication Strategies Containerization Best Practices Storage Technologies for Enterprise Servers Network Performance Optimization Power Management in Data Centers Key Management Best Practices Database Optimization for CAS Server Performance Monitoring Tools Federated Identity Management Principles Capacity Planning for CAS Database Administration Best Practices Server Monitoring and Alerting Systems Disaster Recovery Planning for Critical Systems Data Center Cooling Strategies Database Security Best Practices ```


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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