Elasticsearch, Logstash and Kibana are a popular open source ecosystem for managing and analyzing log data. Together they form the Elasticsearch, Logstash and Kibana (ELK) stack. This article will examine how to host your own ELK stack.
Choosing The Right Hardware & Software For Your Needs
Like any other server operation, you’ll want to make sure that the hardware and software you’re using are up to date and will serve your needs. To that end, it’s a good idea to consult with industry experts or perform your own research before investing in any one piece of equipment.
With that out of the way, let’s examine some of the considerations you might want to make when choosing the right hardware and software for your needs.
RAM
The amount of RAM is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing hardware for a server. RAM determines how efficiently your system will operate. So, the more RAM you have, the faster your server will operate.
This is especially important for those who are running larger and more complex Elasticsearch installations, as the more RAM you have, the more Elasticsearch processes you can run simultaneously. The more efficient your Elasticsearch operation, the more you’ll benefit from the power of this server and your budget will be saved.
CPU
The processor is the heart of your server. The faster your CPU, the more you’ll be able to accomplish in terms of processing power. When choosing this piece of hardware you want to make sure that the model you’re considering supports the necessary features you need and can handle the amount of traffic you’ll be generating.
For CPU intensive tasks, you might want to consider getting a server with at least a 4-core CPU. Six cores or more are ideal for significantly increasing your processing power without breaking the bank. Bear in mind that the price per core goes up as you move towards a more powerful processor, so investing in a high-end CPU that costs more than double the price of a medium-end model could be a money-waster if you’re not using it efficiently.
Disk
The disk is what stores all of the data on your server. It’s a fairly self-explanatory piece of hardware, but to be on the safe side it’s a good idea to get a fast hard drive. The more space you have, the more content you can store and the more you’ll be able to enjoy your new server.
Budget
This is perhaps the most important piece of any budget-related consideration. When choosing hardware you want to make sure that your budget will allow you to purchase the necessary equipment without going broke. There are countless cheap and cheerful 4-core servers out there that will serve your needs just fine, but if your budget doesn’t allow you to invest in a higher-end model, you’ll simply have to make do with what you’ve got.
Network
Your server will inevitably be connected to the internet via an ethernet cable. Be sure to invest in a good quality one that’s specifically designed for servers. Having a highly-rated and well-reviewed brand like Cisco or Aruba will make a massive difference in terms of how smoothly your server can operate.
If you’re unable to connect your server to the internet directly, then you’ll have to consider investing in a standalone wireless access point. If you’re looking for a truly robust and secure solution, then you might want to consider purchasing a firewall appliance that also serves as a wireless access point. Some of the more popular models are the Cisco ASA SFA4000 and the Aruba Networks Wave 12.0.
Instance Storage
The instance storage is what allows you to store all of the data created and generated by the different software and hardware you’ve installed on your server. Essentially, this is the space that Elasticsearch, Logstash and Kibana (ELK) use to store all of the data they collect and process. So, if you’ve chosen to store that data on your server, then ensure that you’ve got the necessary space to do so. Some of the popular solutions for instance storage are the Clear Cloud Storage, the Amazon S3, the Google Cloud Storage and the Microsoft Azure.
VPS (Virtual Private Server)
A virtual private server (VPS), or simply a Virtual Server, is a type of cloud computing that allows you to create private servers within a physical server. This type of solution is ideal for those who want to keep their data secure and don’t want to give away the computational power of their physical system. Some of the more popular VPS providers are Linode, Amazon and Google’s Cloud Platform.
While it’s not essential to have a virtual private server to run a functional and secure Elasticsearch installation, it is one of the most convenient and user-friendly options. If you’re looking for a stable, reliable platform that allows you to quickly and easily spin up new servers, then look no further.
OS
The operating system is the software that provides your server with its basic functionality. However, it’s important to maintain your operating system’s quality and up to date as often as possible, especially if you’re a professional dealing with a lot of sensitive data. Some of the most popular OSes for servers are Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS and Debian. Make sure to get the most recent versions of each for the best stability and performance.
Cost
As we’ve established, hardware and software cost money and it’s important to consider what type of cost you’re looking at. There are plenty of cost-effective solutions out there, but if your budget doesn’t allow you to invest in high-quality equipment, you’ll simply have to make do with what you’ve got.