Network Configuration Best Practices
- Network Configuration Best Practices
This article details best practices for configuring the network environment for a MediaWiki 1.40 installation. A well-configured network is crucial for performance, security, and reliability. This guide assumes a basic understanding of networking concepts like IP addresses, DNS, and firewalls. It's intended for system administrators and those responsible for managing the server infrastructure. We'll cover key considerations and recommended settings.
1. IP Addressing and Subnetting
Proper IP addressing is foundational. Avoid using dynamic IP addresses (DHCP) for the MediaWiki server; a static IP is *strongly* recommended. This ensures consistent access. Consider the overall network topology when assigning IP addresses.
The following table illustrates a basic subnetting example:
| Subnet Mask | Usable IP Range | Number of Usable Hosts |
|---|---|---|
| 255.255.255.0 | 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.254 | 254 |
| 255.255.255.128 | 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.126 | 126 |
| 255.255.255.192 | 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.62 | 62 |
It is important to check for IP address conflicts before assigning static IPs. Use tools like `ping` and `arp` to verify availability. Further guidance on Subnetting can be found on dedicated networking resources.
2. DNS Configuration
Reliable DNS resolution is vital. Configure the MediaWiki server to use appropriate DNS servers. Public DNS servers (e.g., Google DNS, Cloudflare DNS) can be used, but for internal networks, a local DNS server is preferable. Ensure the server's hostname resolves correctly both internally and externally if external access is required. Incorrect DNS settings can result in MediaWiki access errors.
The following table shows example DNS server configurations:
| DNS Server | IP Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8 | Primary DNS server |
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.4.4 | Secondary DNS server |
| Cloudflare DNS | 1.1.1.1 | Primary DNS server |
| Cloudflare DNS | 1.0.0.1 | Secondary DNS server |
For internal resolution, consider configuring a local DNS server with entries for the MediaWiki server's hostname and any related services. See DNS records for more information on configuring DNS entries.
3. Firewall Configuration
A firewall is essential for security. Configure the firewall to allow only necessary traffic to the MediaWiki server. At a minimum, allow inbound traffic on ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS) if the wiki is publicly accessible. Allow traffic on port 22 (SSH) only from trusted IP addresses for administrative access. Consider using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) for additional protection against web-based attacks.
Here's a table outlining recommended firewall rules:
| Port | Protocol | Action | Source | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | TCP | ALLOW | Any | MediaWiki Server IP |
| 443 | TCP | ALLOW | Any | MediaWiki Server IP |
| 22 | TCP | ALLOW | Trusted IP Range | MediaWiki Server IP |
| 3306 | TCP | ALLOW | MediaWiki Server IP (loopback) | MediaWiki Server IP |
Remember to review and update firewall rules regularly. Consult your operating system's documentation for specific firewall configuration instructions (e.g., iptables, firewalld, Windows Firewall). Always test firewall changes thoroughly before deploying them to a production environment. Improper firewall rules can lead to MediaWiki connectivity issues.
4. Network Monitoring
Implement network monitoring to track performance and identify potential issues. Monitor key metrics such as bandwidth usage, latency, and packet loss. Tools like `ping`, `traceroute`, and network monitoring software (e.g., Nagios, Zabbix) can be used. Regular monitoring helps proactively address network problems before they impact MediaWiki availability. See also Server monitoring.
5. Load Balancing (Optional)
For high-traffic MediaWiki installations, consider using a load balancer to distribute traffic across multiple servers. This improves performance and availability. Load balancers can be hardware or software-based. Common load balancing algorithms include round robin and least connections. See also MediaWiki scalability.
6. Security Hardening
Beyond the firewall, implement additional security measures:
- Disable unnecessary network services.
- Keep the operating system and all software up to date with the latest security patches.
- Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication for administrative access.
- Regularly audit network logs for suspicious activity. See MediaWiki security.
- Implement intrusion detection/prevention systems.
7. Virtualization Considerations
If the MediaWiki server is running in a virtualized environment (e.g., VMware, VirtualBox, KVM), ensure the virtual network configuration is optimized for performance. Allocate sufficient network resources to the virtual machine and configure the virtual network adapter appropriately. Poorly configured virtual networks can introduce latency and bottlenecks. See Virtual Machine configuration.
8. Further Resources
- MediaWiki installation guide
- MediaWiki performance optimization
- MediaWiki security
- System administration
- Troubleshooting common errors
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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