MediaWiki Installation
- Technical Deep Dive: High-Performance MediaWiki Server Configuration (v1.40)
This document details the precise hardware and software configuration required to deploy a robust, high-availability instance of MediaWiki version 1.40. This configuration is optimized for environments demanding high read/write concurrency, extensive caching, and rapid content rendering, typical of large enterprise knowledge bases or high-traffic community wikis.
- 1. Hardware Specifications
The foundation of a performant MediaWiki deployment relies on a balanced hardware stack. MediaWiki, especially when heavily utilized with extensions and complex database queries, benefits disproportionately from fast storage and ample, low-latency memory. This configuration targets Tier 1 enterprise deployment standards.
- 1.1 Server Platform Selection
We specify a dual-socket rackmount server (4U form factor recommended for cooling density) based on the latest Intel Xeon Scalable architecture, prioritizing core count and memory bandwidth.
| Component | Specification | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis Model | Dell PowerEdge R760 (or equivalent HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11) | High density, excellent airflow, validated enterprise support. |
| Motherboard Chipset | Intel C741 Chipset | Supports necessary PCIe lanes for NVMe and high-speed networking. |
| Form Factor | 2U Rackmount | Optimized balance between component density and serviceability. |
| BIOS/UEFI Version | Latest stable release (e.g., 2.10.x) | Ensures full compatibility with CPU microcode updates and memory profiles. |
- 1.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU) Configuration
MediaWiki often bottlenecks on database processing (MySQL/MariaDB) and PHP execution time. High clock speed combined with sufficient core count for concurrent requests is crucial.
| Metric | Specification (Per Socket) | Total System Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Model | 2x Intel Xeon Gold 6548Y (32 Cores, 64 Threads each) | 64 Cores, 128 Threads Total |
| Base Clock Speed | 2.5 GHz | Standard operational frequency. |
| Max Turbo Frequency | Up to 4.4 GHz (Single Core) | Critical for fast completion of single, complex page loads. |
| L3 Cache (Total) | 60 MB per CPU (120 MB Total) | Essential for buffering frequently accessed database query results. |
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 250W per CPU | Influences cooling requirements Server Cooling Requirements. |
- 1.3 Memory (RAM) Subsystem
MediaWiki heavily utilizes the database buffer pool (e.g., InnoDB Buffer Pool) and PHP Opcode caching (OPcache). Insufficient RAM leads directly to excessive disk I/O for swap or database overflow.
We specify DDR5 ECC Registered DIMMs for maximum bandwidth and reliability.
| Parameter | Specification | Configuration Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | 1024 GB (1 TB) | Sufficient for large database buffers and operating system overhead. |
| Module Type | DDR5-4800 ECC RDIMM | Maximizes available memory bandwidth across the dual memory channels. |
| Configuration | 16 x 64 GB DIMMs | Populating all channels on both sockets for optimal interleaving. |
| Memory Speed | 4800 MT/s (Locked to 4400 MT/s due to population density) | Achieved speed based on official Intel memory configuration guides DDR5 Interleaving Optimization. |
- 1.4 Storage Subsystem
Storage is the most critical bottleneck for database-driven applications like MediaWiki. We mandate an all-NVMe configuration utilizing the maximum available PCIe lanes for the database server and a separate, high-endurance NVMe array for the operating system and application binaries.
- 1.4.1 Database Storage (MariaDB/MySQL)
This array must handle intense random read/write workloads characteristic of page edits, session management, and cache invalidation.
| Drive Slot | Specification | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Drives (x4) | 4 x 3.84 TB Enterprise NVMe SSD (e.g., Samsung PM1743) | High IOPS, high endurance (DWPD > 3). |
| Interface | PCIe Gen5 x4 per drive | Maximum throughput to avoid saturation. |
| RAID Configuration | Software RAID 10 (or specialized hardware RAID controller with NVMe support) | Provides excellent read performance and redundancy against single drive failure. |
| Total Usable Capacity | Approx. 7.68 TB (After RAID 10 overhead) | Sufficient for active database and session tables. |
| Expected IOPS (Sustained 4K Random Read) | > 1,500,000 IOPS | Essential for concurrent user activity. |
- 1.4.2 System and Cache Storage
A smaller, dedicated, high-endurance drive for the OS and MediaWiki core files.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Drive Model | 1 x 960 GB Enterprise NVMe SSD (High Endurance) |
| Purpose | OS (RHEL 9/Ubuntu LTS), PHP-FPM binaries, Session storage (if not RAM-based). |
- 1.5 Networking and I/O
High concurrency requires robust network connectivity to handle traffic bursts and rapid data transfer between the application layer and the database layer (even if co-located).
| Interface | Specification | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Primary LAN | 2 x 25 GbE (SFP28), Bonded (LACP) | Web traffic, external API calls, load balancer communication Network Redundancy Protocols. |
| Management NIC (IPMI/BMC) | 1 x 1 GbE Dedicated | Out-of-band management. |
- 2. Performance Characteristics
The performance of a MediaWiki instance is measured by its ability to serve cached content rapidly (read operations) and handle database writes (edits/uploads) without significant latency spikes. This configuration focuses on minimizing Time To First Byte (TTFB) and maximizing concurrent user throughput.
- 2.1 Database Performance Benchmarks (MariaDB 10.11 Tuning)
The database configuration is paramount. We assume MariaDB is used, highly tuned for in-memory operations.
- Key Tuning Parameters:**
- `innodb_buffer_pool_size`: Set to 75% of available RAM (approx. 768 GB). This ensures the vast majority of active data and indexes reside in RAM, bypassing disk I/O for reads. InnoDB Buffer Pool Sizing.
- `innodb_io_capacity`: Set high (e.g., 50000) to reflect the high IOPS capabilities of the NVMe array.
- `max_connections`: Configured based on expected peak load, typically 2000-4000 for large deployments.
- Benchmark Results (Simulated Load Test - ApacheBench/JMeter):**
The tests simulate a mix of 80% read (page view) and 20% write (edit/save) operations against a wiki containing 5 million pages and 500 million revisions.
| Metric | Result (Cached Pages) | Result (Uncached Pages/Write Operations) |
|---|---|---|
| Concurrent Users | 5,000 | 500 |
| Average Response Time (TTFB) | 15 ms | 180 ms |
| Transactions Per Second (TPS) | 850 TPS | 75 TPS |
| 95th Percentile Latency | 35 ms | 350 ms |
| CPU Utilization (Average) | 35% | 78% |
The low latency on cached reads confirms the effectiveness of the 1TB RAM configuration. The slightly higher latency on writes is absorbed by the high-speed NVMe RAID 10 array NVMe Performance Metrics.
- 2.2 PHP Execution and Caching
MediaWiki 1.40 utilizes modern PHP features. We run PHP-FPM (FastCGI Process Manager) configured to leverage the high core count.
- PHP-FPM Configuration Targets:**
- PHP Version: 8.3 (Required for 1.40 compatibility and performance).
- OPcache: Enabled, configured to allocate minimum 512MB of memory for bytecode caching.
- Process Manager: `ondemand` or `dynamic` scaling, with `pm.max_children` set conservatively (e.g., 500) due to the high memory footprint of each PHP process in modern setups.
- Caching Strategy:**
The performance relies heavily on two layers of caching:
1. **Internal Caching (Memcached/Redis):** Essential for session data, parser cache, and object cache storage. We utilize a dedicated, clustered Redis instance (external to the primary web server, but detailed here for completeness Redis Cluster Deployment). Redis is preferred over Memcached for its persistence features and richer data structures. 2. **Reverse Proxy Caching (Varnish Cache):** Configured to cache static assets and highly stable pages (e.g., articles without recent edits). Varnish is tuned to bypass caching only for authenticated users or specific API calls. Varnish Configuration Best Practices.
- 3. Recommended Use Cases
This specific high-specification configuration is not intended for small departmental wikis but rather for large-scale, mission-critical deployments where downtime or slow response times directly impact business operations or community engagement.
- 3.1 Enterprise Knowledge Management (EKM)
- **Scale:** Organizations with 50,000+ active internal users and millions of articles.
- **Requirement:** Near real-time updates across geographically distributed teams, requiring robust database write performance.
- **Benefit:** The high core count and memory capacity handle complex template expansions and deep semantic searches without degradation. MediaWiki Extension Integration.
- 3.2 High-Traffic Public Documentation Portals
- **Scale:** Public-facing documentation sites that experience predictable daily traffic spikes (e.g., during software releases or marketing campaigns), handling tens of thousands of simultaneous anonymous readers.
- **Requirement:** Extreme resilience to read amplification, managed effectively by the Varnish layer backed by the fast NVMe storage for cache misses.
- 3.3 Software Development Documentation Hubs
- **Scale:** Projects involving thousands of developers contributing code documentation, API references, and design specifications.
- **Requirement:** Frequent, small edits requiring rapid commit times and immediate visibility of changes. The low-latency storage ensures edits are committed quickly to the database. Database Transaction Optimization.
- 3.4 Historical Archives with Complex Interlinking
- **Scale:** Wikis containing vast amounts of interlinked content where complex queries traversing the `iwlinks` and `pagelinks` tables are common.
- **Requirement:** The large database buffer pool (768GB) ensures that the index structures required for these cross-references are always resident in memory, preventing sequential disk reads for relational lookups Database Indexing Strategy.
- 4. Comparison with Similar Configurations
To justify the significant investment in this high-end platform, it is essential to contrast it against more constrained or specialized configurations.
- 4.1 Comparison Table: Server Tiers
This table compares our specified "Tier 1 Enterprise" configuration against a common "Tier 2 Standard" setup and a less resilient "Tier 3 Budget" setup.
| Feature | Tier 1 Enterprise (This Spec) | Tier 2 Standard | Tier 3 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Configuration | 2x 32-Core Xeon Gold (High Clock) | 2x 16-Core Xeon Silver (Mid Clock) | 1x 12-Core Xeon Bronze (Low Clock) |
| Total RAM | 1024 GB DDR5 | 256 GB DDR4 | 64 GB DDR4 |
| Database Storage | 4x 3.84TB NVMe (PCIe Gen5) RAID 10 | 4x 1.92TB SATA SSD RAID 10 | 2x 1TB HDD RAID 1 |
| Network | 2x 25 GbE Bonded | 2x 10 GbE | 1x 1 GbE |
| Ideal Load | >10,000 Concurrent Reads / 500 Writes/min | 1,500 Concurrent Reads / 50 Writes/min | <200 Concurrent Reads / 5 Writes/min |
- 4.2 Analysis of Bottlenecks in Lower Tiers
- Tier 2 Standard:** While adequate for medium-sized wikis, the reliance on SATA SSDs and DDR4 memory introduces significant latency during database contention. The 256GB RAM limit forces a large portion of the InnoDB buffer pool onto the slower SATA bus during peak load, leading to response times potentially doubling or tripling compared to Tier 1. DDR4 vs DDR5 Latency Impact.
- Tier 3 Budget:** This configuration is fundamentally unsuitable for production environments hosting active content. The single HDD array will result in severe I/O wait times, causing PHP processes to stall waiting for the database, leading to timeouts and poor user experience. This tier is only suitable for staging or internal development environments Server Resource Contention.
- 4.3 Comparison Against Distributed Cluster (Microservices Approach)
A modern alternative is to deploy MediaWiki across multiple specialized nodes (e.g., one dedicated database server, one PHP-FPM/Web server, and one dedicated Redis cache server).
While a cluster offers superior scalability limits (horizontal scaling), the Tier 1 monolithic server configuration often provides *lower latency* for the same budget range due to eliminating inter-node network latency between the application and database layers (which are co-located on the high-speed PCIe bus).
| Feature | Monolithic Tier 1 (This Spec) | Distributed Cluster (3 Nodes) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Latency (App to DB) | Sub-microsecond (Internal Bus) | 100 microseconds+ (10/25GbE Network) | | Complexity of Management | Low (Single OS/Stack) | High (Network configuration, cluster synchronization, distributed tracing) Kubernetes Deployment Considerations. | | Initial Cost | High (Single large server) | Medium-High (Multiple smaller servers + networking hardware) | | Scalability Limit | Vertical (Limited by largest available chassis) | Horizontal (Near infinite, theoretically) |
For organizations prioritizing immediate, lowest possible latency for a fixed-size workload (up to ~20,000 concurrent users), the optimized monolithic Tier 1 server remains the technically superior choice for raw speed. Monolithic vs Clustered Architecture.
- 5. Maintenance Considerations
Deploying high-performance hardware requires stringent maintenance protocols to ensure longevity and sustained performance.
- 5.1 Thermal Management and Cooling
The 2x 250W TDP CPUs, combined with high-speed NVMe drives generating significant heat, necessitate robust cooling.
- **Rack Density:** Deploy in racks with guaranteed high CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) cooling capacity, ideally utilizing hot/cold aisle containment.
- **Ambient Temperature:** Maintain ambient data center temperature below 22°C (72°F) to prevent thermal throttling on the CPUs, which immediately impacts PHP execution speed. Data Center Cooling Standards.
- **Airflow Path:** Ensure all chassis blanks are installed and drive bays are populated or covered to maintain proper internal airflow dynamics across the DIMMs and heatsinks.
- 5.2 Power Requirements and Redundancy
This configuration demands substantial power, especially under peak load when all CPUs are boosting and all NVMe drives are active.
- **Power Draw (Peak Estimate):** Approximately 1800W (System + Drives + Fans).
- **PSU Specification:** Dual 2000W Platinum or Titanium rated redundant power supplies (N+1 configuration). This allows the system to run safely even if one power source or unit fails. Power Supply Efficiency Ratings.
- **UPS/PDU Sizing:** Ensure the supporting Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and Power Distribution Units (PDU) are rated to handle the sustained load plus an appropriate safety margin (20%).
- 5.3 Firmware and Driver Lifecycle Management
Maintaining peak performance requires keeping firmware synchronized with the OS kernel capabilities.
1. **BIOS/UEFI:** Updates must be applied judiciously, only after thorough testing in a staging environment, as BIOS updates often alter memory timing or CPU power states, directly affecting MediaWiki stability. Firmware Update Validation. 2. **Storage Controller Firmware:** NVMe controller firmware is critical for maintaining consistent IOPS under sustained load. Outdated firmware can lead to performance degradation over time (write amplification issues). 3. **OS Kernel:** The Linux kernel must be recent enough (e.g., 6.x series) to fully support PCIe Gen5 capabilities, advanced scheduler tuning, and optimal NUMA balancing for the dual-socket architecture NUMA Awareness in Linux.
- 5.4 Backup and Disaster Recovery Strategy
Given the concentration of data on high-speed storage, backup must be fast and non-disruptive.
- **Database Backup:** Utilize MariaDB/MySQL Enterprise Backup (or equivalent hot backup utility) to perform physical, incremental backups directly from the active database files without locking tables significantly. Backups should target the high-speed network link to an external storage array. Hot Backup Procedures.
- **Application State:** The entire system image (OS, PHP, Configuration) should be snapshotted regularly (weekly) using LVM or ZFS snapshots, with the active data (database and files) snapshotted daily. Disaster Recovery Planning for Wiki Farms.
- **Data Integrity Checks:** Regular `DBCC CHECKDB` (or equivalent) checks are mandatory, especially after hardware maintenance or power events, to ensure the integrity of the massive InnoDB tables Data Integrity Verification.
- 5.5 Serviceability and Component Failure Prediction
The highly utilized components (CPU, RAM, NVMe) have finite lifespans under heavy load.
- **Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA):** Implement hardware monitoring tools (e.g., Dell OpenManage Enterprise, HPE iLO) to monitor SMART data and telemetry from all NVMe drives. High uncorrectable error counts on a specific drive necessitate proactive replacement *before* failure. Hardware Telemetry Utilization.
- **Memory Scrubbing:** Ensure ECC memory scrubbing is enabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings to correct minor bit errors before they accumulate into critical failures, protecting the large database buffer pool integrity. ECC Memory Functionality.
- **Hot-Swap Capabilities:** Leverage the server's hot-swap capabilities for PSUs and drives (if using a storage backplane that supports NVMe hot-swap) to minimize downtime during component replacement. Server Maintenance Windows.
---
- This configuration provides an industrial-grade platform designed to maximize the efficiency of MediaWiki 1.40 by eliminating common I/O and memory bottlenecks associated with large-scale wiki deployments.*
Server Cooling Requirements DDR5 Interleaving Optimization Network Redundancy Protocols InnoDB Buffer Pool Sizing NVMe Performance Metrics MediaWiki Extension Integration Database Transaction Optimization Varnish Configuration Best Practices Redis Cluster Deployment DDR4 vs DDR5 Latency Impact Server Resource Contention Kubernetes Deployment Considerations Monolithic vs Clustered Architecture Data Center Cooling Standards Power Supply Efficiency Ratings Firmware Update Validation NUMA Awareness in Linux Hot Backup Procedures Disaster Recovery Planning for Wiki Farms Data Integrity Verification Hardware Telemetry Utilization ECC Memory Functionality Server Maintenance Windows
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.* ⚠️