Hardware Specifications

The deployment model in this reference architecture describes the hardware needed for each of the three references: multi-node Compute, private Object Storage, and public Object Storage.

OpenStack™ Cloud System Requirements

This section describes the system requirements for the reference architecture. These requirements are for building production-ready clouds, able to be supported by Rackspace Cloud Builders.

In this reference architecture, we offer guidance for three deployments: a high-availability Compute deployment, a compact Object Storage deployment offering redundant storage, and an Object Storage deployment with an eye towards adding nodes for additional compute and storage in the future.

Compute multi-node deployment that's elastic and scalable to enable many compute nodes for hundreds or thousands of guest VMs to run concurrently with high availability.

Object Storage private deployment (or archiving use-case) that offers a known amount of storage that replicated redundantly, with the proxy/object/container/account services on all machines.

Object Storage public deployment that offers optional-build out for storage providers who want to improve cost effectiveness in splitting out a proxy layer, and installing account and container servers separately from object servers.

Following are sample hardware recommendations for the various OpenStack configurations.

Multi-node Compute Requirements

            POC/Production ready Cloud

Type

Description

Recommendation

Controller Node(s)

Compute (Nova) controller software

Dell R415, Dell R515, Dell R710

Single socket CPU (min. needed)

8GB RAM

Qty: 2, 2.5" 15K-RPM 300GB SAS

Ubuntu 11.04, 11.10

R1, LSI RAID Controller

Intel NICs: 2 or more NICs of 1G or greater, based on intended workload

Compute Node(s)

Hosts virtual instances

Dell C6100, Dell C6105, Dell R710, Dell R810

Dual Hex CPU

96GB RAM

Qty:12, 2.5" 15K-RPM 300GB SAS Drives

R10, LSI RAID Controller

Ubuntu 11.04, 11.10

Intel NICs: 2 or more NICs of 1G or greater, based on intended workload

L2 Switch

Cabinet Switches

Cisco 3500 or 2960G

L3 Switch

Aggregate Switch(es)

Cisco 4948E or 4948S

iSCSI External Storage

iSCSI storage for Controller Node HA

MD3200i
(storage amount dependent on amount required for storing images in the Image Service)

Private Object Storage Requirements

Archiving {Private, Write Heavy, Up-to 2 Cabinet (~30 Nodes)}

Type

Description

Recommendation

Object Storage Node

Object Storage account, container, object servers plus proxy

Dell C2100, Dell R515

Single Quad

8 or 12GB RAM

Qty:12, SATA 3.5" 2TB Drives

Qty: 2, SAS 2.5" 300GB Drives (internal)

No RAID

Ubuntu 10.04

Intel 1Gb NICs: 2 or more NICs of 1G or greater, based on intended workload

L2 Switch

Cabinet Switch(es)

Cisco 2960G

L3 Switch

Aggregate Switch(es)

Cisco 4948

Public Object Storage Requirements

            Storage-as-a-Service {Public, Read/Write Heavy, Min 5 cabinets (~75 Nodes)}

           

Type

Description

Recommendation

Object Storage Node

Object Storage account, container, object servers

Dell C2100, Dell R515

Single Quad

8 or 12GB RAM

Qty:12, SATA 3.5" 2TB Drives

Qty: 2, SAS 2.5" 300GB Drives (internal)

No RAID

Ubuntu 10.04

Intel 1Gb NICs: 2 or more NICs of 1G or greater, based on intended workload

Object Proxy Node

Object Storage proxy server

Dell R415, Dell R515, Dell R710

Single socket CPU (min. needed)

8GB RAM

Qty: 2, 3.5" 15K-RPM 300GB SAS

Ubuntu 11.04, 11.10

R1, LSI RAID Controller

Intel NICs

L2 Switch

Cabinet Switch(es)

Cisco 2960G

L3 Switch

Aggregate Switch(es)

Arista 75xx (preferred)

Cisco Nexus

 

Type

Description

Recommendation

Bastion Server
(BMC Station)

Server to securely access internal cloud

Dell R415, Dell R515, Dell R710

Single socket CPU (min. needed)

8GB RAM

Qty: 2, 3.5" 15K-RPM 300GB SAS

Ubuntu 11.04, 11.10

SSH service

Intel NICs: 2 or more NICs of 1G or greater, based on intended workload

 

Note: You can estimate the power and cooling usage by using Dell Data Center Capacity planner available @ http://www.dell.com/content/topics/topic.aspx/global/products/pedge/topics/en/config_calculator?c=us&cs=5%2055&l=en&s=biz .We recommend to use this tool to plan the appropriate PDU and provide adequate cooling.

Rackspace can support OpenStack deployments on a broad range of Dell Servers. Please contact Rackspace Cloud Builders for more details.

SAN as Storage Option

Not available at this time.

Server Preparation for OpenStack Deployment

The server preparation involves racking, stacking, and cabling the servers and network devices according to the deployment guide. Your hardware deployment partner performs this function.


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