Goals & Challenges
The Challenge
Fast-growing online projects demand flexible and secure IaaS solutions for deploying complex infrastructures. Our client, a software developer from Spain, needed a reliable cloud platform to build and deliver ready-to-use solutions, including ERP, commerce, and inventory management systems.
Despite initial concerns about adopting a new platform, the client’s technical team quickly recognized the potential of Apache CloudStack, especially with the ability to create and manage Kubernetes clusters. The platform’s intuitive interface and minimal learning curve further solidified their decision.
The Solution
Our team proposed a robust and cost-effective solution, focusing on reliability and performance. We selected dedicated servers powered by proven AMD processors and Enterprise SSDs, forming a distributed storage foundation.
Key Features:
- High Availability: Implemented a three-node Proxmox VE cluster with VM replication for both the Management Server and NFS server, ensuring continued operation even if one node failed.
- Storage Redundancy: Achieved with RAID 5 on Enterprise SSDs for Primary and Secondary Storage, allowing future scalability.
- Network Reliability: Eliminated single points of failure by integrating a backup switch into the local network.
- Fault-Tolerant OS Installation: Mirrored arrays on KVM hosts protect against drive failures.
- IaC Integration: Seamless Terraform and Ansible support to streamline cloud management.
The Results
The final infrastructure combines fault tolerance, scalability, and cost efficiency. With high availability at both the server and storage levels, the client can confidently develop and deliver software solutions without interruption.
Implementation Process
The setup process is not complicated but consists of multiple steps:
- Preparation of servers with configured RAID arrays.
- Installation and configuration of the operating system.
- Configuration of local connections between servers.
- Setup of the Proxmox VE cluster.
- Configuration of clustered file systems LINSTOR and GlusterFS.
- Deployment of virtual machines (VMs): Apache CloudStack Management Server and NFS server.
- Preparation of KVM host servers and connection to the local network.
- Integration of nodes into the Apache CloudStack platform.
- Installation of additional providers: Terraform and Ansible.
- Incorporation of all hardware components into the monitoring system.
Used Hardware
To build the platform, two types of servers were used:
For NFS Storage and CloudStack Management Server
Platform: Dell PowerEdge R7515
CPU: AMD EPYC 7402P, 24 Cores, 48 Threads, 2.8/3.35GHz
Memory: 256GB REG ECC DDR4
Disk: 2x 500GB SSD - RAID 1
Disk: 3x 7.68TB Enterprise SSD - RAID 5
Disk: 3x 14TB HDD - RAID 5
RAID: Hardware RAID 5 + BBU
VLAN: 10 Gbps Local network connection
IP-KVM: iDRAC
OS: Ubuntu 24.04
For KVM Hosts
Platform: Dell PowerEdge R7515
CPU: 2x AMD EPYC 7702, 128 Cores, 256 Threads, 2.0/3.35GHz
Memory: 1024GB REG ECC DDR4
Disk: 2x 480GB Enterprise SSD
RAID: Hardware RAID 1 + BBU
VLAN: 10 Gbps Local network connection
IP-KVM: iLO 5
OS: Ubuntu Server 24.04
Conclusion
This custom project was designed to empower the client with a robust and reliable cloud platform. Shortly after deployment, the client successfully launched a test environment using IaC providers and the REST API. Key interaction tools that we prioritized from the start.
The combination of proven server reliability, resilient storage, and strategic location in a central European hub ensures minimal network latency and high availability. We are confident that the client’s upcoming software products will perform seamlessly and meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
