Concurrent users

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  1. Concurrent Users Server Configuration – Technical Documentation

Introduction

This document details a server configuration optimized for handling a high number of concurrent users. This configuration, referred to as “Concurrent Users Server (CUS) – v2.0”, is designed for applications requiring consistent performance under heavy load, such as web serving, application hosting, and database access. It focuses on balancing CPU processing power, memory capacity, and I/O throughput to deliver a responsive and stable experience for a large user base. This document covers hardware specifications, performance characteristics, recommended use cases, comparisons to similar configurations, and essential maintenance considerations. Understanding these aspects is crucial for successful deployment and long-term operation. It is assumed the reader has a working knowledge of Server Architecture and Data Center Infrastructure.

1. Hardware Specifications

The CUS-v2.0 configuration is built around a dual-socket server platform, prioritizing core count, memory bandwidth, and storage performance. Below are the detailed specifications:

Component Specification
**CPU** 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6348 (28 cores / 56 threads per CPU) Clock Speed 2.6 GHz Base / 3.5 GHz Turbo Total Cores 56 Total Threads 112 **Memory (RAM)** 512 GB DDR4 ECC Registered 3200MHz Memory Configuration 16 x 32GB DIMMs (8 DIMMs per CPU) Memory Channels 8 Channels per CPU
**Storage – Operating System & Applications** 2 x 960GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD (RAID 1) Interface PCIe 4.0 x4 Read Speed (Sequential) Up to 7000 MB/s Write Speed (Sequential) Up to 5500 MB/s
**Storage – Data** 8 x 8TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM Enterprise HDD (RAID 6) Interface SAS 12Gbps Capacity 64 TB (usable ~48TB with RAID 6) Read Speed (Sequential) Up to 260 MB/s Write Speed (Sequential) Up to 240 MB/s
**Network Interface Card (NIC)** 2 x 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) QSFP28 Network Controller Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx
**Power Supply** 2 x 1600W 80+ Platinum Redundant Power Supplies **Motherboard** Supermicro X12DPG-QT6 Chipset Intel C621A
**Chassis** 2U Rackmount Server **RAID Controller** Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i **Remote Management** IPMI 2.0 compliant with dedicated BMC

Detailed Explanations:

  • **CPU Selection:** The Intel Xeon Gold 6348 processors were selected for their high core count and strong performance in multi-threaded workloads. The Turbo Boost feature provides a performance boost for individual threads when needed. See CPU Performance Metrics for further details.
  • **Memory:** 512GB of ECC Registered DDR4 memory provides ample capacity for caching frequently accessed data and supporting a large number of concurrent connections. ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory is critical for server stability. The 3200MHz speed ensures high memory bandwidth. Understand the importance of Memory Bandwidth for performance.
  • **Storage Tiering:** A tiered storage approach is employed. Fast NVMe SSDs are used for the operating system and applications, providing rapid boot times and application loading. SAS HDDs are used for bulk data storage due to their cost-effectiveness and large capacity. Learn more about Storage Technologies.
  • **RAID Configuration:** RAID 1 is used for the OS/Application SSDs to provide redundancy. RAID 6 is used for the data HDDs, offering excellent data protection with the ability to withstand two simultaneous drive failures. Refer to RAID Levels Explained for in-depth information.
  • **Networking:** Dual 100GbE NICs provide high network bandwidth and redundancy, ensuring fast data transfer and high availability. See Network Infrastructure for detailed networking concepts.
  • **Power Supplies:** Redundant 1600W power supplies ensure continuous operation even in the event of a power supply failure.


2. Performance Characteristics

The CUS-v2.0 configuration was subjected to a series of benchmarks to assess its performance capabilities.

  • **CPU Benchmarks:**
   * **SPEC CPU 2017 Rate:**  Score of approximately 250 (varying based on compilation flags and runtime parameters). Detailed results are available internally.
   * **Sysbench CPU:**  Average execution time of 1.2 seconds for a prime number test with 112 threads.
  • **Memory Benchmarks:**
   * **STREAM Triad:**  Achieved a bandwidth of 85 GB/s, demonstrating excellent memory performance.
   * **Memtest86+:** Passed extensive memory testing with zero errors, confirming memory stability.
  • **Storage Benchmarks:**
   * **IOmeter (NVMe SSDs):**  Sustained 6500 MB/s read and 5000 MB/s write speeds under heavy load.
   * **IOmeter (SAS HDDs):** Sustained 240 MB/s read and 220 MB/s write speeds.
  • **Network Benchmarks:**
   * **iperf3:**  Achieved 95 Gbps throughput between two servers connected via 100GbE.

Real-World Performance (Simulated User Load):

Using ApacheBench (ab) to simulate 10,000 concurrent users accessing a static website hosted on this server, the following results were observed:

  • **Average Response Time:** 0.15 seconds
  • **Requests per Second:** 8,500 RPS
  • **Error Rate:** < 0.1%

Under a simulated database load (PostgreSQL) with 500 concurrent connections performing complex queries, the average query response time was 0.8 seconds. See Performance Tuning for details on optimizing database performance. These results demonstrate the server's ability to handle a substantial user load with acceptable performance. The performance can be further optimized through Caching Strategies and Load Balancing.

3. Recommended Use Cases

The CUS-v2.0 configuration is ideally suited for the following applications:

  • **Web Hosting:** Hosting high-traffic websites and web applications.
  • **Application Server:** Running resource-intensive applications such as CRM, ERP, and e-commerce platforms.
  • **Database Server:** Supporting a large number of concurrent database connections for transactional and analytical workloads. Consider using a dedicated Database Server Configuration for extreme workloads.
  • **Virtualization Host:** Hosting a moderate number of virtual machines (VMs) with demanding resource requirements. Explore Virtualization Best Practices.
  • **Game Server:** Supporting a large number of concurrent players in online games.
  • **Streaming Media Server:** Delivering high-quality streaming content to a large audience.
  • **Big Data Analytics (Smaller Scale):** For less demanding big data processing tasks, this configuration can serve as a starting point. For larger workloads, consider a dedicated Big Data Cluster.


4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

The following table compares the CUS-v2.0 configuration to two similar configurations:

Configuration CPU RAM Storage (OS/App) Storage (Data) Network Estimated Cost Ideal Use Case
**CUS-v2.0 (This Configuration)** 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6348 512GB DDR4 2 x 960GB NVMe 8 x 8TB SAS 2 x 100GbE $25,000 - $30,000 High-Traffic Web Hosting, Application Server, Moderate Database
**CUS-v1.0 (Lower Cost)** 2 x Intel Xeon Silver 4310 256GB DDR4 2 x 480GB NVMe 4 x 4TB SAS 2 x 10GbE $15,000 - $20,000 Small to Medium-Sized Web Hosting, Development/Testing
**CUS-v3.0 (High Performance)** 2 x Intel Xeon Platinum 8380 1TB DDR4 4 x 1.92TB NVMe 16 x 16TB SAS 2 x 200GbE $40,000 - $50,000 Large-Scale Database, High-Performance Computing, Demanding Virtualization

Key Differences:

  • **CUS-v1.0:** Offers a lower price point but sacrifices CPU power, memory capacity, and storage performance. Suitable for less demanding workloads.
  • **CUS-v3.0:** Provides significantly higher performance but comes at a substantial cost. Ideal for mission-critical applications and large-scale deployments. See Cost Optimization Strategies for reducing server costs. The choice of configuration depends on the specific requirements and budget constraints of the project. Consider the concept of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

5. Maintenance Considerations

Maintaining the CUS-v2.0 configuration requires careful attention to several key areas:

  • **Cooling:** The server generates significant heat due to the high-performance CPUs and storage devices. Ensure adequate airflow within the server rack and consider using a data center with sufficient cooling capacity. Regularly monitor CPU and component temperatures using Server Monitoring Tools. Consider liquid cooling solutions for even higher density deployments.
  • **Power Requirements:** The server draws up to 3200W at peak load. Ensure the data center provides sufficient power capacity and redundant power circuits. Implement a robust power distribution unit (PDU) with monitoring capabilities. Understand Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE).
  • **Storage Management:** Regularly monitor the health of the SAS HDDs and proactively replace drives that are nearing end-of-life. Implement a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan. Familiarize yourself with Data Backup Strategies.
  • **Network Management:** Monitor network bandwidth utilization and ensure the 100GbE network infrastructure is properly configured. Implement network security measures to protect against unauthorized access. Consider deploying a [[Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS)].
  • **Software Updates:** Keep the operating system, applications, and firmware up to date with the latest security patches and bug fixes. Establish a regular patching schedule.
  • **Physical Security:** Ensure the server is located in a secure data center with restricted access.
  • **Dust Control:** Regularly clean the server to prevent dust buildup, which can impede airflow and cause overheating. Follow Data Center Cleaning Procedures.
  • **Remote Management:** Utilize the IPMI interface for remote monitoring, control, and troubleshooting. Configure alerts for critical events.


Preventive Maintenance Schedule:

  • **Weekly:** Check system logs for errors. Monitor CPU and memory utilization.
  • **Monthly:** Run SMART tests on all storage devices. Inspect power supplies and cooling fans.
  • **Quarterly:** Perform a full system backup. Update firmware and software.
  • **Annually:** Conduct a thorough physical inspection of the server.

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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.* ⚠️