DeepSpeech
DeepSpeech Server Configuration
DeepSpeech is an open-source speech-to-text engine, utilizing a model trained by machine learning techniques. This article details the recommended server configuration for deploying and running a DeepSpeech server for production use. This guide assumes a basic understanding of Linux server administration and Python. We will cover hardware requirements, software dependencies, and configuration options. This guide focuses on a Debian/Ubuntu-based system, but can be adapted for other distributions. See System Requirements for a general overview of server needs.
Hardware Requirements
The hardware requirements for a DeepSpeech server are significant, largely due to the computational demands of the model. The following table outlines recommended specifications:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Xeon E3 or AMD Ryzen 5 | Intel Xeon E5 or AMD Ryzen 7 | Intel Xeon Gold or AMD EPYC |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB or more |
| Storage | 100 GB SSD | 250 GB SSD | 500 GB NVMe SSD or larger |
| GPU (Optional, but highly recommended) | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 (8GB) | NVIDIA Tesla V100 (16GB/32GB) |
Using a GPU dramatically improves transcription speed. Without a GPU, transcription will be significantly slower, making it unsuitable for real-time applications. Consider GPU Acceleration for more details.
Software Dependencies
The DeepSpeech server relies on several software packages. Ensure these are installed before proceeding. We will use `apt` for package management in this example.
- Python 3.6 or higher
- pip (Python package installer)
- virtualenv (Recommended for creating isolated environments)
- DeepSpeech Python package
- gRPC
- PortAudio (For audio input)
Installation instructions:
1. Update package lists: `sudo apt update` 2. Install Python and pip: `sudo apt install python3 python3-pip` 3. Install virtualenv: `pip3 install virtualenv` 4. Create a virtual environment: `virtualenv -p python3 venv` 5. Activate the virtual environment: `source venv/bin/activate` 6. Install DeepSpeech: `pip3 install deepspeech` 7. Install gRPC: `pip3 install grpcio` 8. Install PortAudio: `sudo apt install portaudio19-dev` (You may need to install development headers as well)
See Software Installation Guide for more detailed instructions and troubleshooting. Always remember to use a Virtual Environment to manage dependencies.
DeepSpeech Server Configuration
Once the dependencies are installed, you can configure and run the DeepSpeech server. The server is typically started using a Python script. Here's a basic configuration example, with explanations:
| Configuration Option | Description | Default Value |
|---|---|---|
| `--model` | Path to the DeepSpeech model file (.pbmm). | `models/output_graph.pbmm` |
| `--scorer` | Path to the DeepSpeech scorer file (.scorer). | `models/output_scorer.scorer` |
| `--audio_buffer_size` | Size of the audio buffer in milliseconds. | `2000` |
| `--beam_width` | Beam width for the beam search decoder. Higher values increase accuracy but also computational cost. | `512` |
| `--lm_alpha` | Language model alpha. Controls the weight of the language model. | `0.75` |
| `--lm_beta` | Language model beta. Controls the weight of the word insertion penalty. | `1.0` |
The model and scorer files are crucial. These are generated during the model training process. Refer to the Model Training documentation for details on training a custom model. Adjusting `beam_width`, `lm_alpha`, and `lm_beta` can improve accuracy but require experimentation. See Performance Tuning for advanced configuration options.
Running the Server
To start the server, navigate to the directory containing the DeepSpeech Python server script and execute it with the desired configuration options. For example:
```bash python3 server.py --model /path/to/your/model.pbmm --scorer /path/to/your/scorer.scorer --port 50050 ```
This will start the server listening on port 50050. You can then connect to the server using a gRPC client. See Client Integration for information on building a client application. Logging is important. Configure logging to a file for debugging and monitoring. See Server Logging for setup instructions.
Security Considerations
When deploying a DeepSpeech server in a production environment, security is paramount. Consider the following:
- **Authentication:** Implement authentication to restrict access to the server.
- **Authorization:** Control which users have access to specific functionalities.
- **Encryption:** Use TLS/SSL to encrypt communication between the client and the server.
- **Firewall:** Configure a firewall to limit network access to the server.
- **Regular Updates:** Keep the DeepSpeech software and all dependencies up to date to patch security vulnerabilities.
Refer to the Security Best Practices guide for more comprehensive security recommendations. Always follow Data Privacy Regulations when handling audio data.
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.* ⚠️