How to Set Up a Server for Maximum Uptime
How to Set Up a Server for Maximum Uptime
This article details the recommended server configuration for achieving maximum uptime with your MediaWiki 1.40 installation. It's geared towards system administrators and those with a moderate understanding of server management. We will cover hardware, operating system, database, web server, and PHP configuration. Proper planning and implementation of these steps are crucial for a stable and reliable wiki.
1. Hardware Considerations
The foundation of a high-uptime server is robust hardware. Under-provisioning will inevitably lead to performance issues and potential downtime. The following table outlines minimum and recommended specifications.
| Minimum Specifications | Recommended Specifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CPU: 2 Core @ 2.4 GHz | CPU: 4+ Core @ 3.0 GHz+ | Choose a server-grade CPU for stability. |
| RAM: 4 GB | RAM: 8 GB+ | More RAM is *always* better, particularly for caching. |
| Storage: 100 GB SSD | Storage: 250 GB+ SSD (RAID 1) | SSDs are essential for performance. RAID 1 provides redundancy. |
| Network: 1 Gbps | Network: 1 Gbps+ (Redundant NICs) | A stable network connection is vital. |
Consider utilizing a dedicated server or a Virtual Private Server (VPS) with guaranteed resources. Shared hosting is generally *not* recommended for production MediaWiki instances due to resource contention. Regularly monitor Server Monitoring for bottlenecks.
2. Operating System Configuration
We recommend a stable Linux distribution such as Debian, Ubuntu Server, or CentOS. These distributions offer excellent package management and security features. Ensure the OS is kept up-to-date with security patches.
- **Firewall:** Configure a firewall (e.g., `ufw` on Ubuntu, `firewalld` on CentOS) to only allow necessary ports (80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS, 22 for SSH – restrict SSH access!). See Firewall Configuration.
- **SSH Hardening:** Disable root login via SSH, use key-based authentication, and change the default SSH port. SSH Security.
- **System Logging:** Configure system logging (e.g., `rsyslog`) to capture important events. Review logs regularly. Log Analysis.
- **Time Synchronization:** Use NTP (Network Time Protocol) to ensure accurate time synchronization. Accurate timestamps are crucial for log analysis and wiki functionality. NTP Setup.
3. Database Server Configuration
MySQL/MariaDB is the most common database backend for MediaWiki. Proper configuration is critical for performance and stability.
| Parameter | Recommended Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `innodb_buffer_pool_size` | 50-80% of RAM | The size of the buffer pool, where InnoDB caches data and indexes. |
| `max_connections` | 150-300 | The maximum number of concurrent connections to the database. |
| `query_cache_size` | 0 (Disabled in MySQL 8.0+) | Caches query results. Generally disabled in newer versions due to performance overhead. |
| `key_buffer_size` (MyISAM) | 16-64 MB | The size of the key buffer for MyISAM tables (if used). |
Regular database backups are *essential*. Implement a robust backup strategy, including both full and incremental backups. Consider using a tool like `mysqldump` or Percona XtraBackup. Database Backups. Also, perform regular database optimization (e.g., `OPTIMIZE TABLE`).
4. Web Server Configuration (Apache)
Apache is a popular choice for serving MediaWiki.
- **MPM (Multi-Processing Module):** Use `event` or `worker` MPM for better performance under load. Avoid `prefork` unless absolutely necessary. See Apache MPM Configuration.
- **Caching:** Enable `mod_cache` and `mod_expires` to cache static content (images, CSS, JavaScript). This significantly reduces server load. Apache Caching.
- **Compression:** Enable `mod_deflate` to compress content before sending it to the client, reducing bandwidth usage. Apache Compression.
- **Security:** Disable unnecessary modules and configure appropriate security headers (e.g., `X-Frame-Options`, `Content-Security-Policy`). Apache Security.
5. PHP Configuration
PHP powers MediaWiki. Optimize the PHP configuration for performance and security.
| Parameter | Recommended Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `memory_limit` | 256M - 512M | The maximum amount of memory a PHP script can consume. |
| `max_execution_time` | 30 - 60 | The maximum time a PHP script can run. |
| `opcache.enable` | 1 | Enable the PHP opcode cache for significant performance gains. |
| `opcache.memory_consumption` | 128 - 256 | The amount of memory allocated to the opcode cache. |
Ensure you are using a supported PHP version (currently PHP 7.4 or 8.1 are recommended). Regularly update PHP to benefit from security patches and performance improvements. Consider using PHP-FPM for improved performance. PHP-FPM Setup. Be sure to install the necessary PHP extensions required by MediaWiki, as detailed in the PHP Extensions documentation.
6. Monitoring and Alerting
Proactive monitoring is crucial for identifying and resolving issues before they impact uptime.
- **Server Load:** Monitor CPU usage, memory usage, disk I/O, and network traffic.
- **Web Server Status:** Monitor Apache status (e.g., active connections, requests per second).
- **Database Performance:** Monitor database query performance, connection count, and replication status.
- **MediaWiki Specifics:** Monitor MediaWiki’s job queue and special pages for errors. MediaWiki Maintenance.
Set up alerting to notify you of critical events (e.g., high CPU usage, low disk space, database errors). Tools like Nagios, Zabbix, or Prometheus can be used for monitoring and alerting.
7. Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance tasks are essential for maintaining a healthy and stable MediaWiki installation.
- **Software Updates:** Keep the operating system, web server, database server, and PHP up-to-date.
- **Database Maintenance:** Perform regular database backups, optimization, and repairs.
- **MediaWiki Updates:** Keep MediaWiki itself updated to the latest stable version. MediaWiki Updates.
- **Log Rotation:** Rotate logs regularly to prevent them from consuming excessive disk space. Log Rotation Configuration.
By following these guidelines, you can significantly improve the uptime and reliability of your MediaWiki server. Remember to tailor these recommendations to your specific needs and environment.
Special:MyPreferences Help:Contents MediaWiki Server Monitoring Firewall Configuration SSH Security Log Analysis NTP Setup Database Backups Apache MPM Configuration Apache Caching Apache Compression Apache Security PHP-FPM Setup PHP Extensions MediaWiki Maintenance MediaWiki Updates Log Rotation Configuration
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.* ⚠️