I'm planning to set up a cluster to host around 200 WordPress websites, aiming to keep costs minimal initially. Ideally, we would start with a 3 or 4 node cluster with solid specs. My main concern is preparing for future growth and avoiding bottlenecks. Here are some of my plans:
- **Networking:** Starting with 10G ports and a single or dual IP gateway for DNS management. I want to use MetalLB in BGP mode for load balancing, similar to how WP Engine manages DNS.
- **Ingress Controller:** Currently testing Traefik, but I'm unsure if it can handle concurrent TLS connections for 200 domains. I've also looked at Nginx Ingress, but they've announced it's being phased out.
- **PVC/Storage:** I'm considering RWX PVCs for some sites with multiple replicas and testing Longhorn. However, I've read that it can struggle with many PVCs on one node. Should I opt for Rook/Ceph instead?
- **Shared vs Tenant Model:** Should each worker node act as a "tenant" with separate Nginx and MariaDB instances, or is a cluster-wide instance better? I'm contemplating using MariaDB galera for provisioning.
- **WordPress Helm Chart:** I want to lower the resource requirements by using wordpress:fpm images instead of nginx or apache, but this has its challenges regarding security. What's the best way to write the chart for lower resource usage?
- **Chart/Operator:** Does it make sense to manage these WordPress deployments with an Operator, or stick with Helm Charts?
5 Answers
For the ingress controller, the Nginx Gateway project is promising. While you can still use Nginx for security patches, consider transitioning to GatewayAPI for better routing if it supports your needs. As for Longhorn, I've had mixed experiences. I suggest looking into Rook if scaling becomes an issue with RWX PVCs, as that can be particularly tricky on Kubernetes. Also, having each worker node with its own environment could introduce unnecessary complexity. Instead, think about dedicating nodes for specific tasks like databases to simplify management.
Your storage approach needs careful thought. Since WordPress relies on stateful storage, I'd be cautious about using too many stateful containers. If Rook/Ceph can satisfy your performance criteria, it might be a more robust long-term choice than Longhorn, especially if you're planning to ramp up operations. Also, when it comes to databases, you can use a shared instance with Galera for reliability, but make sure your failover strategy is solid!
If you're not already managing the WordPress instances, using a DB server with Percona Operator for MySQL could be beneficial for handling the databases. It might be complicated, but it's worth exploring! Also, consider using tools like Istio if Traefik doesn't meet your needs as your traffic grows. Just remember, efficient resource management will save you headaches down the line!
To manage 200 WordPress pods, I recommend you make your setup scalable. Aim for around 50 nodes to allow for maintenance and keep some nodes available as backups. This way, if one fails, others can handle the load without dropping sites. Separating the control plane from the worker nodes is also key to maintaining control during failures. And don’t forget to have a test environment to practice any breakages before they affect your live setup!
Your estimate for resource needs sounds decent. A good approach would be using Helm with a smart templating strategy that allows for automated environment creation. Start with smaller nodes and scale up as you figure out your traffic patterns. Implement monitoring and alerting for system metrics to catch any potential issues early. For storage, think about data locality with Longhorn and ensure you back up your volumes properly. This might seem basic, but it's vital for long-term stability!
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