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Advanced System Architecture

2025 Infrastructure Design
System Architecture Diagram

Project Overview

This project demonstrates comprehensive system architecture design using enterprise-grade virtualization technologies. The infrastructure combines containers and virtual machines to create a secure, scalable environment optimized for AI workloads and system isolation.

The architecture leverages Proxmox VE for hypervisor management, implements GPU passthrough for high-performance computing, and includes sophisticated network segmentation for security and performance optimization.

Architecture Focus: Creating production-ready infrastructure that balances performance, security, and resource efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity.

Technologies Used

  • Proxmox VE
  • KVM/QEMU
  • LXC Containers
  • VFIO GPU Passthrough
  • Linux Bridge Networking
  • RAID Storage
  • SSL/TLS Security

Key Architecture Components

  • Hybrid Virtualization: Optimal VM and container placement for workload-specific requirements
  • GPU Passthrough: Direct hardware access for AI/ML workloads with VFIO implementation
  • Network Segmentation: Isolated VLANs for security and traffic management
  • Storage Architecture: RAID 1 configuration with shared mountpoints for data consistency
  • Resource Optimization: Dynamic allocation based on workload characteristics
  • Backup Strategy: Automated snapshots and disaster recovery procedures

Technical Implementation

Virtualization Architecture Design

The system utilizes a hybrid approach combining KVM virtual machines for resource-intensive workloads and LXC containers for lightweight services, optimizing both performance and resource utilization.

VM Configuration Script 
# GPU Passthrough VM Configuration
qm create 201 \
  --name "llm-inference-vm" \
  --memory 16384 \
  --sockets 1 \
  --cores 8 \
  --cpu host \
  --machine q35 \
  --bios ovmf \
  --ostype l26 \
  --scsi0 local-lvm:vm-201-disk-0,size=50G \
  --bootdisk scsi0 \
  --net0 virtio,bridge=vmbr0,firewall=1 \
  --hostpci0 01:00,pcie=1,x-vga=1

# Enable IOMMU for GPU passthrough
echo "intel_iommu=on" >> /etc/default/grub
update-grub

# Configure VFIO modules
echo "vfio" >> /etc/modules
echo "vfio_iommu_type1" >> /etc/modules
echo "vfio_pci" >> /etc/modules
echo "vfio_virqfd" >> /etc/modules

# Blacklist GPU driver on host
echo "blacklist nvidia" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
echo "blacklist nouveau" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

Network Security and Segmentation

The network architecture implements multiple security layers with isolated VLANs, firewall rules, and controlled inter-segment communication to ensure data protection and system integrity.

Network Configuration 
# Bridge Configuration (/etc/network/interfaces)
auto vmbr0
iface vmbr0 inet static
    address 10.10.10.1/24
    bridge-ports none
    bridge-stp off
    bridge-fd 0
    post-up echo 1 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward
    post-up iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -s '10.10.10.0/24' -o enp4s0 -j MASQUERADE
    post-down iptables -t nat -D POSTROUTING -s '10.10.10.0/24' -o enp4s0 -j MASQUERADE

# Container Network Configuration
auto vmbr1
iface vmbr1 inet static
    address 10.10.10.1/24
    bridge-ports none
    bridge-stp off
    bridge-fd 0

# Firewall Rules for Container Communication
iptables -A FORWARD -i vmbr1 -o vmbr0 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A FORWARD -i vmbr0 -o vmbr1 -m state --state RELATED,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT

Storage and Data Management

The storage architecture implements RAID 1 for redundancy combined with shared mountpoints that allow controlled data access between containers while maintaining security boundaries.

Storage Architecture Diagram

Shared Mountpoint Configuration

Mountpoint Host Path Permissions Purpose
/shared/models /opt/rag-system/models ro/rw LLM Model Storage
/shared/data /opt/rag-system/data rw/ro Database Storage
/shared/logs /opt/rag-system/logs rw/rw Application Logs

Architecture Benefits

This system architecture delivers several key advantages:

Enhanced Security

Multi-layer security with network segmentation, firewall rules, and container isolation provides robust protection against threats.

Optimal Performance

GPU passthrough and workload-specific virtualization ensure maximum performance for compute-intensive tasks.

Scalability

Modular design allows easy scaling by adding containers or VMs without disrupting existing services.

Maintainability

Clear separation of concerns and automated management reduce operational complexity and maintenance overhead.

Technical Challenges Overcome

GPU Passthrough Complexity

Successfully implemented VFIO GPU passthrough with proper IOMMU configuration, driver blacklisting, and hardware compatibility validation for optimal AI workload performance.

Network Isolation

Designed secure network topology with proper VLAN segmentation while maintaining necessary inter-service communication and external connectivity.

Storage Optimization

Balanced redundancy and performance with RAID 1 implementation while providing flexible shared storage access patterns for different workload requirements.

Resource Management

Optimized resource allocation between VMs and containers to maximize hardware utilization while preventing resource contention and ensuring service quality.

Infrastructure Insights

Key architectural decisions and their rationale:

  • Hybrid Virtualization: Combines KVM for GPU-intensive workloads with LXC for lightweight services, optimizing resource usage
  • Network Design: Bridge-based networking with controlled routing provides security without complexity overhead
  • Storage Strategy: RAID 1 ensures data protection while shared mountpoints enable efficient data sharing
  • Security Implementation: Defense-in-depth approach with multiple isolation layers and controlled access points
  • Monitoring Integration: Built-in Proxmox monitoring complemented by custom alerting for proactive maintenance