Ceph Security Considerations

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  1. Ceph Security Considerations

This document details a server configuration optimized for running Ceph, a distributed object, block, and file storage platform. It focuses on security considerations inherent in the hardware selection and deployment of a Ceph cluster, alongside performance, maintenance, and use-case analysis. This is a 'security-focused' configuration, prioritizing data integrity and confidentiality, rather than purely maximizing raw IOPs at the expense of security.

1. Hardware Specifications

This configuration is designed for a moderately sized Ceph cluster, approximately 12-24 OSDs (Object Storage Devices). Scalability is a key consideration, with component selection geared towards future expansion. All components are chosen with supply chain security and component authenticity in mind – sourcing from reputable vendors with strong security track records.

Component Specification Detail Security Consideration
CPU Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 (32 Cores/64 Threads per CPU) 2.0 GHz Base Frequency, 3.4 GHz Turbo Frequency, 48MB L3 Cache Intel SGX support enables secure enclaves for key management and data encryption. Firmware verified boot is *required*.
RAM 512GB DDR4 3200MHz ECC Registered DIMMs (16 x 32GB) 8 Channels, Buffered DIMMs ECC RAM is crucial for data integrity. Consider Registered DIMMs for increased stability in large memory configurations. Ensure RAM modules are from a trusted source to mitigate supply chain risks like malicious firmware.
Motherboard Supermicro X12DPG-QT6 Dual Socket LGA 4189, 7 PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, IPMI 2.0 IPMI with dedicated network port provides out-of-band management, crucial for remote access and security patching. Strong IPMI password policies are essential. Supports TPM 2.0.
Storage (OSD) 12 x 4TB SAS 12Gb/s 7.2K RPM Enterprise HDD (STHHS1600400) 512e format, CMR Recording CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) offers better data endurance and reliability compared to SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording). Self-Encrypting Drives (SEDs) with TCG Opal 2.0 certification are *strongly recommended* for data-at-rest encryption.
Storage Controller (OSD) Broadcom SAS 9300-8i 8 Ports, PCIe 4.0 x8, 4GB Cache Hardware RAID is *not* used - Ceph handles data redundancy. Controller is used in IT mode for direct drive access. Firmware updates for the controller must be regularly applied.
NVMe Cache (Optional) 2 x 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD (Samsung PM9A1) Used for Ceph journaling and writeback cache. NVMe provides low latency for improved write performance. Consider SED NVMe drives for enhanced security. Monitor SSD wear and tear regularly.
Network Interface Dual 100GbE Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE v2) RDMA improves network performance and reduces CPU overhead. Network segmentation and firewalls are essential for securing Ceph traffic. Consider using a separate network for Ceph management.
Power Supply Dual Redundant 1600W 80+ Platinum Provides ample power and redundancy. High-efficiency PSUs reduce energy consumption and heat generation.
Chassis Supermicro 8U Rackmount Chassis Supports up to 24 x 3.5" drives Robust chassis with good airflow is essential for cooling. Physical security of the server room is paramount.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Infineon OPTIGA™ TPM SL C TPM 2.0 compliant Used for secure boot, disk encryption, and attestation. Crucial for establishing a root of trust.

Important Security Note: All systems should have the latest UEFI/BIOS firmware applied and configured to boot in Secure Boot mode. Regular firmware updates are critical to address security vulnerabilities. See Firmware Update Procedures for details.

2. Performance Characteristics

This configuration is designed to provide a balance between performance, capacity, and security. While raw IOPs are not the primary focus, it delivers solid performance for a variety of workloads.

  • **Sequential Read:** Approximately 400 MB/s (aggregate)
  • **Sequential Write:** Approximately 300 MB/s (aggregate)
  • **Random Read (4KB):** Approximately 50,000 IOPS (aggregate)
  • **Random Write (4KB):** Approximately 30,000 IOPS (aggregate)

These benchmarks were performed using FIO with a block size of 4KB, queue depth of 32, and a workload consisting of 80% random reads and 20% random writes. The Ceph cluster was configured with replication size of 3 and using the Bluestore OSD backend. See Performance Testing Methodology for detailed testing procedures.

Real-World Performance:

  • **Virtual Machine Storage:** Provides excellent performance for running virtual machines, especially when using Ceph RBD (RADOS Block Device). Expect consistent performance even under heavy load.
  • **Object Storage (S3 Compatible):** Suitable for storing large amounts of unstructured data, such as images, videos, and backups.
  • **File System (CephFS):** Provides a scalable and reliable file system for shared storage. Performance will depend on the metadata server configuration.

Performance Tuning: Ceph performance can be further optimized by adjusting various parameters, such as replication size, crush map, and OSD tuning parameters. See Ceph Performance Tuning for details.

3. Recommended Use Cases

This configuration is ideally suited for the following use cases:

  • **Secure Cloud Storage:** Providing secure and scalable storage for cloud environments. The SEDs and TPM integration provide strong data protection.
  • **Virtualization Infrastructure:** Storing virtual machine images and data with high availability and data integrity.
  • **Backup and Disaster Recovery:** Creating a reliable and secure backup repository.
  • **Archival Storage:** Storing long-term archival data with data integrity and security features. WORM (Write Once Read Many) functionality can be implemented using Ceph's object lifecycle management.
  • **Big Data Analytics:** Storing and processing large datasets with high throughput and scalability.
  • **Media Storage:** Storing and streaming large media files.
  • **Government and Financial Institutions:** Where data security and compliance are paramount. This configuration meets many regulatory requirements.

Security-Specific Use Cases:

  • **Protected Health Information (PHI):** Compliant with HIPAA regulations when properly configured.
  • **Personally Identifiable Information (PII):** Secure storage of sensitive customer data.
  • **Classified Data:** Can be adapted for storing classified data with appropriate security controls and certifications. See Ceph Security Certifications for details.

4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

This security-focused Ceph configuration differs from other options in its emphasis on data protection and supply chain security. Here’s a comparison:

Feature Security-Focused Configuration Performance-Focused Configuration Cost-Optimized Configuration
CPU Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 (SGX Enabled) Dual Intel Xeon Platinum 8380 Dual Intel Xeon Silver 4310
RAM 512GB DDR4 ECC Registered 1TB DDR4 ECC Registered 256GB DDR4 ECC Registered
Storage (OSD) 12 x 4TB SAS 7.2K RPM SED 12 x 4TB SAS 7.2K RPM 12 x 8TB SATA 7.2K RPM
NVMe Cache 2 x 1TB NVMe SED 2 x 2TB NVMe None
Network Dual 100GbE RDMA Dual 100GbE RDMA Dual 25GbE
TPM Present and Enabled Present, but potentially disabled Absent
Cost (Approximate) $25,000 - $35,000 per server $35,000 - $50,000 per server $15,000 - $20,000 per server
Security Level High Moderate Low

Explanation:

  • **Performance-Focused Configuration:** Prioritizes raw IOPs and throughput. Uses faster CPUs, more RAM, and potentially faster storage (e.g., NVMe OSDs). May sacrifice some security features to achieve higher performance.
  • **Cost-Optimized Configuration:** Focuses on minimizing cost. Uses slower CPUs, less RAM, and lower-capacity/slower storage. Security features may be limited or absent.

Choosing the Right Configuration: The ideal configuration depends on your specific requirements and budget. If data security is paramount, the security-focused configuration is the best choice. If performance is the primary concern, the performance-focused configuration may be more suitable. If cost is the main driver, the cost-optimized configuration may be the only viable option. See Ceph Cluster Sizing Guide for help determining the appropriate cluster size and configuration.

5. Maintenance Considerations

Maintaining a Ceph cluster requires careful planning and execution. Here are some key considerations:

  • **Cooling:** These servers generate significant heat. Ensure the server room has adequate cooling capacity. Monitor server temperatures regularly. Consider hot aisle/cold aisle containment. See Server Room Cooling Best Practices.
  • **Power Requirements:** Each server requires a dedicated power circuit with sufficient capacity. Dual redundant power supplies provide fault tolerance. Use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to protect against power outages.
  • **Firmware Updates:** Regularly update the firmware for all components (CPU, motherboard, storage controllers, drives, network interfaces). Firmware updates often include security patches and bug fixes. Automated firmware update tools can simplify this process. See Automated Firmware Management.
  • **OS and Ceph Updates:** Keep the operating system and Ceph software up to date. Security vulnerabilities are frequently discovered and patched.
  • **Disk Monitoring:** Monitor disk health using SMART data. Replace failing drives promptly to avoid data loss. Use Ceph's self-healing capabilities to automatically repair data when a drive fails. See Ceph Disk Management.
  • **Log Monitoring:** Monitor Ceph logs for errors and security events. Use a centralized logging system to collect and analyze logs. See Ceph Log Analysis.
  • **Security Audits:** Conduct regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities. Penetration testing can help assess the security of the Ceph cluster. See Ceph Security Auditing.
  • **Physical Security:** Secure the server room with physical access controls, such as locked doors, security cameras, and alarm systems.
  • **Data Encryption:** Enable data encryption at rest using SEDs or software-based encryption. Encrypt data in transit using TLS/SSL.
  • **Access Control:** Implement strong access control policies to restrict access to Ceph resources. Use role-based access control (RBAC) to grant users only the permissions they need. See Ceph Access Control.

Ceph Architecture Ceph Installation Guide Ceph Cluster Management Ceph Networking Ceph Replication and Erasure Coding Ceph Object Storage Ceph Block Storage Ceph File System Ceph Monitoring and Alerting Ceph Troubleshooting Ceph Security Best Practices Ceph Performance Tuning Ceph Disaster Recovery Firmware Update Procedures Ceph Security Certifications


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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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