MLflow
- MLflow Server Configuration
MLflow is an open-source platform to manage the ML lifecycle, including experimentation, reproducibility, deployment, and a central model store. This article details the server configuration options for deploying MLflow, geared towards newcomers to our wiki and server infrastructure. We will cover the core components, deployment methods, and essential configuration parameters.
Overview of MLflow Components
MLflow consists of several key components:
- MLflow Tracking: Records experiments, parameters, metrics, and artifacts.
- MLflow Projects: Packages code into reusable, reproducible runs.
- MLflow Models: Packages machine learning models for deployment.
- MLflow Registry: A centralized model store for managing model versions.
- MLflow UI: A web interface for interacting with all MLflow components.
The server component typically refers to the MLflow Tracking Server and the MLflow Model Registry, which can be deployed independently or together.
Deployment Options
MLflow can be deployed in several ways, each with varying levels of complexity and scalability.
- Local Mode: Suitable for development and testing. No server is required. Data is stored locally on disk.
- File Storage Backend: Uses a file system (local or networked) to store experiment data. Simple to set up but lacks scalability.
- Database Backend: Uses a relational database (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) to store experiment data. Offers better scalability and querying capabilities. This is the recommended starting point for production deployments.
- Docker Container: Packages MLflow into a Docker container for consistent deployments across different environments.
- Kubernetes: For large-scale deployments, MLflow can be deployed on a Kubernetes cluster.
We will focus primarily on the Database Backend deployment as it offers a good balance of features and manageability.
Database Backend Configuration
The Database Backend requires a relational database. PostgreSQL is a popular choice.
Database Setup (PostgreSQL Example)
First, create a dedicated database and user for MLflow:
```sql CREATE DATABASE mlflow; CREATE USER mlflowuser WITH PASSWORD 'your_password'; GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE mlflow TO mlflowuser; ```
Next, configure MLflow to connect to the database. This is done using environment variables or a configuration file.
Environment Variables
The following environment variables are essential:
Variable | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
`MLFLOW_TRACKING_URI` | Specifies the URI for the tracking server. | `postgresql://mlflowuser:your_password@localhost:5432/mlflow` |
`MLFLOW_HOST` | The hostname for the MLflow UI. | `0.0.0.0` |
`MLFLOW_PORT` | The port for the MLflow UI. | `5000` |
MLflow Server Configuration Parameters
Beyond the database connection, several parameters control the MLflow server's behavior. These can be set via environment variables or a configuration file (typically `mlflow_settings.toml`).
Core Settings
Parameter | Description | Default Value |
---|---|---|
`default_artifact_root` | The root directory for storing artifacts. | `/mlruns` |
`experiment_allow_creation` | Whether new experiments can be created dynamically. | `true` |
`tracking_server_worker_timeout` | Timeout in seconds for tracking server worker processes. | `60` |
Security Settings
Consider implementing security measures, especially for production deployments. Refer to the Security Considerations article for more details. Basic authentication can be added using environment variables. See also Authentication Methods.
Advanced Configuration
For more advanced configuration options, consult the official MLflow documentation: [1](https://www.mlflow.org/docs/latest/index.html). This includes settings related to logging, metrics, and artifact storage. See also the Troubleshooting Guide.
Running the MLflow Server
Once configured, the MLflow server can be started using the following command:
```bash mlflow server --backend-store-uri postgresql://mlflowuser:your_password@localhost:5432/mlflow --host 0.0.0.0 --port 5000 ```
This will start the server and make the MLflow UI accessible at `http://localhost:5000`. For production deployments, consider using a process manager like Systemd or Supervisor to ensure the server restarts automatically in case of failures. See also Process Management.
Scaling and High Availability
For high-traffic scenarios, consider scaling the MLflow server. This can be achieved by running multiple instances behind a load balancer. Kubernetes is an ideal platform for managing scaled MLflow deployments. Refer to the Kubernetes Deployment article for a detailed guide. Also consult the Load Balancing documentation.
Integration with Other Tools
MLflow integrates seamlessly with many popular machine learning frameworks, including TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn. See Framework Integration for more information. You can also integrate MLflow with CI/CD pipelines using tools like Jenkins and GitLab CI.
Monitoring MLflow is crucial for ensuring the health and performance of your MLflow server.
Data Storage Options provide a more detailed overview of available backends.
MLflow Model Registry Best Practices ensure efficient model management.
Security Considerations offers advice on securing your MLflow deployment.
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.* ⚠️