Cryptography and Security
Cryptography and Security Server Configuration - Technical Documentation
This document details the technical specifications, performance characteristics, recommended use cases, comparisons, and maintenance considerations for a server configuration specifically designed for cryptographic operations and security-sensitive workloads. This configuration prioritizes data confidentiality, integrity, and availability through a combination of robust hardware and optimized software compatibility.
1. Hardware Specifications
This configuration is built around a modular server chassis, allowing for scalability and redundancy. All components are selected for their performance, reliability, and security features.
| Component | Specification | Manufacturer | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+ | Intel | Platinum 8480+ | 56 Cores/112 Threads per CPU, 3.2 GHz Base Frequency, 3.8 GHz Turbo Boost Max 3.0 Frequency, 300MB L3 Cache, AVX-512 Instruction Set. Supports Intel SGX. |
| Motherboard | Supermicro X13DEI-N6 | Supermicro | X13DEI-N6 | Dual Socket E-4 LGA 4677, Supports DDR5 ECC Registered Memory, IPMI 2.0 remote management. Includes onboard TPM 2.0. |
| RAM | 512 GB DDR5 ECC Registered | Samsung | M393A4K40DB8-CWE | 4800 MHz, 8 x 64 GB DIMMs. Error Correction Code (ECC) ensures data integrity. Registered DIMMs improve stability at high capacities. |
| Storage (OS/Boot) | 1 TB NVMe PCIe Gen5 SSD | Samsung | PM1743 | High-performance boot drive for fast OS loading and responsiveness. Supports end-to-end data protection. |
| Storage (Data - Encryption Keys) | 4 x 8TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM Enterprise HDD (RAID 10) | Seagate | Exos X22 | Dedicated storage for cryptographic keys and sensitive data. RAID 10 provides redundancy and performance. Hardware RAID controller used (see below). <a href="/wiki/Data_at_Rest_Encryption">Data at Rest Encryption</a> is enabled. |
| Storage (Data - General Purpose) | 8 x 16TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM Enterprise HDD (RAID 6) | Western Digital | Ultrastar DC HC570 | Large capacity storage for general data, logs, and backups. RAID 6 provides high redundancy. <a href="/wiki/Storage_Tiering">Storage Tiering</a> can be implemented. |
| RAID Controller | Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9660-8i | Broadcom | MegaRAID SAS 9660-8i | Hardware RAID controller supporting RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and more. Includes onboard cache with battery backup unit (BBU). <a href="/wiki/RAID_Configuration">RAID Configuration</a> details are available. |
| Network Interface Card (NIC) | Dual Port 100GbE QSFP28 | Mellanox (NVIDIA) | ConnectX-7 | High-bandwidth network connectivity for fast data transfer and secure communication. Supports <a href="/wiki/RDMA">RDMA</a> for low latency. |
| Trusted Platform Module (TPM) | TPM 2.0 | Infineon | OPTIGA™ TPM SL C920 | Hardware security module for secure boot, disk encryption, and key storage. <a href="/wiki/TPM_Security">TPM Security</a> is a crucial component. |
| Power Supply Unit (PSU) | 2 x 1600W 80+ Platinum | Supermicro | PWS-1600-1A | Redundant power supplies for high availability. 80+ Platinum certification for energy efficiency. |
| Chassis | 4U Rackmount Server Chassis | Supermicro | CSE-846BE1C-R1K23B | Standard 4U rackmount form factor with excellent airflow and cooling capabilities. <a href="/wiki/Server_Chassis_Types">Server Chassis Types</a> offer variations. |
| Cooling | Redundant Hot-Swap Fans | Supermicro | Fan Module | Multiple hot-swap fans with speed control for optimal cooling and redundancy. |
| GPU (Optional - for Accelerated Cryptography) | NVIDIA RTX A6000 | NVIDIA | RTX A6000 | 48 GB GDDR6 Memory. Can be used to accelerate certain cryptographic algorithms (e.g., using CUDA). <a href="/wiki/GPU_Acceleration">GPU Acceleration</a> for cryptography. |
2. Performance Characteristics
This configuration is designed for high throughput and low latency in cryptographic operations. Performance has been benchmarked using a variety of industry-standard tools.
- **CPU Performance:** SPECint 2017 rate: ≈ 350 (per CPU). SPECfp 2017 rate: ≈ 420 (per CPU). These scores demonstrate excellent integer and floating-point performance, crucial for cryptographic calculations.
- **Disk I/O:** Sequential Read (NVMe): > 7 GB/s. Sequential Write (NVMe): > 6 GB/s. RAID 10 (SAS): Read: > 2 GB/s, Write: > 1.5 GB/s. RAID 6 (SAS): Read > 1.8 GB/s, Write > 1.2 GB/s.
- **Network Throughput:** 100GbE: > 90 Gbps. TCP Throughput (measured with iperf3): > 80 Gbps.
- **Cryptographic Performance (OpenSSL):**
* RSA 2048-bit key generation: ~ 2 seconds * RSA 2048-bit signature verification: ~ 1 ms * AES-256-GCM encryption/decryption: ~ 5 Gbps
- **Cryptographic Performance (with NVIDIA RTX A6000 - CUDA):** AES-256-GCM encryption/decryption: > 20 Gbps (significant improvement).
- Real-World Performance:**
In a simulated PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) environment processing 10,000 certificate signing requests (CSRs) per minute, the server maintained an average response time of < 50ms. <a href="/wiki/PKI_Infrastructure">PKI Infrastructure</a> is a common use case. Similarly, in a large-scale data encryption scenario, the server was able to encrypt 1 PB of data with AES-256 in approximately 24 hours. These results assume optimized software configurations and appropriate key management practices. <a href="/wiki/Key_Management_Systems">Key Management Systems</a> are critical for security.
3. Recommended Use Cases
This server configuration is ideal for applications demanding high levels of security and cryptographic performance.
- **Certificate Authority (CA):** Handling the issuance, revocation, and management of digital certificates.
- **PKI Infrastructure:** Implementing and maintaining a robust PKI for secure communication and authentication.
- **Data Encryption at Rest:** Encrypting large volumes of sensitive data stored on disk.
- **Key Management Systems (KMS):** Securely storing and managing cryptographic keys.
- **VPN Gateway:** Providing secure remote access to internal networks.
- **Secure Database Servers:** Protecting sensitive data stored in databases.
- **Blockchain Node:** Participating in a blockchain network, requiring cryptographic hashing and signature verification.
- **Secure Cloud Computing:** Providing a secure foundation for cloud-based services. <a href="/wiki/Cloud_Security">Cloud Security</a> relies on strong server foundations.
- **High-Security Analytics:** Processing sensitive data for analytics while maintaining confidentiality.
4. Comparison with Similar Configurations
The following table compares this configuration to two other common server builds: a general-purpose server and a lower-cost security server.
| Feature | Cryptography & Security Server (This Configuration) | General-Purpose Server | Lower-Cost Security Server |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+ | Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 | Dual Intel Xeon Silver 4310 |
| RAM | 512 GB DDR5 ECC Registered | 256 GB DDR4 ECC Registered | 128 GB DDR4 ECC Registered |
| Storage (Data) | 24TB SAS RAID 10/6 | 16TB SATA RAID 5 | 8TB SATA RAID 1 |
| TPM | Included (Infineon OPTIGA™ TPM SL C920) | Optional | Included (Basic TPM) |
| Network | Dual 100GbE QSFP28 | Dual 10GbE SFP+ | Single 10GbE SFP+ |
| GPU (Optional) | NVIDIA RTX A6000 | None | None |
| Redundancy | Full redundancy (PSU, Fans, RAID) | Partial redundancy (PSU, RAID) | Limited redundancy (PSU) |
| Cost (Approximate) | $35,000 - $45,000 | $15,000 - $25,000 | $8,000 - $12,000 |
| Performance (Crypto) | Highest | Moderate | Low |
- Analysis:**
The General-Purpose Server offers a balance between performance and cost but lacks the specialized hardware and redundancy features required for demanding security workloads. The Lower-Cost Security Server provides basic security features but suffers from significantly lower performance and scalability. This configuration prioritizes performance and security, making it suitable for mission-critical applications. A <a href="/wiki/Total_Cost_of_Ownership">Total Cost of Ownership</a> analysis should be performed.
5. Maintenance Considerations
Maintaining this server configuration requires careful planning and execution to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
- **Cooling:** The server generates significant heat due to the high-performance CPUs and GPUs (if installed). Ensure adequate airflow within the rack and maintain a cool operating environment (20-25°C). Regularly check fan operation and dust accumulation. <a href="/wiki/Server_Cooling_Solutions">Server Cooling Solutions</a> should be considered.
- **Power Requirements:** The dual 1600W power supplies provide ample power, but a dedicated power circuit is required. Ensure the power circuit can handle the server's peak power draw (approximately 3000W). Implement UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) protection to prevent data loss during power outages.
- **RAID Maintenance:** Regularly monitor the health of the RAID array and replace failing hard drives promptly. Perform periodic RAID consistency checks.
- **Firmware Updates:** Keep all firmware (BIOS, RAID controller, NIC, etc.) up to date to address security vulnerabilities and improve performance.
- **Security Updates:** Apply security patches to the operating system and all installed software regularly. Utilize a vulnerability scanning tool to identify and address potential security weaknesses. <a href="/wiki/Server_Hardening">Server Hardening</a> is essential.
- **Key Management:** Implement robust key management practices, including secure key generation, storage, rotation, and destruction. Regularly audit key access and usage.
- **Physical Security:** Restrict physical access to the server to authorized personnel only. Implement physical security measures such as locked server rooms and access control systems.
- **Monitoring:** Implement comprehensive server monitoring to track performance metrics, identify potential issues, and receive alerts. Utilize a <a href="/wiki/Server_Monitoring_Tools">Server Monitoring Tools</a> suite.
- **Backup and Disaster Recovery:** Implement a regular backup schedule and a disaster recovery plan to ensure business continuity in the event of a hardware failure or security breach.
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 |
Order Your Dedicated Server
Configure and order your ideal server configuration
Need Assistance?
- Telegram: @powervps Servers at a discounted price
⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️