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Ceph Cluster Management with the Ceph Dashboard

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of managing a Ceph cluster using the Ceph dashboard. Ceph is a powerful and highly scalable storage solution that is commonly used for object storage, offering efficient storage mechanics and robust data management capabilities. Let's dive into the details to explore the full potential of Ceph.

Logging into the Ceph Dashboard​

To get started, access the Ceph dashboard and log in with your administrator account. Credentials will be provided separately. Once logged in, you will see an overview of your cluster, providing you with key insights into its status and health.

Cluster Overview​

Ceph-only deployments are typically used for object storage, leveraging efficient storage mechanics that are ideal for large-scale data storage needs. In our example, we see that 5 percent of the cluster is pre-allocated. This pre-allocation means that the cluster is primed and ready for future data storage, providing a foundation for scalability.

Exploring Cluster Hosts​

Our cluster consists of four hosts: three control plane hosts and one dedicated storage host. You can inspect the physical disks used by the cluster. NVMe drives are employed for the database of file objects, which are then stored on slower media. This separation of high-speed and bulk storage ensures optimal performance and cost-efficiency.

Physical Disk Inspection​

By examining the physical disks, we gain valuable insights into the storage infrastructure. NVMe drives are known for their high-speed performance, making them ideal for database operations, while slower, larger capacity drives handle the bulk of data storage.

Understanding OSD Partition Usage​

One of the most crucial metrics in Ceph is OSD (Object Storage Daemon) partition usage. Ceph proactively manages storage capacity to prevent issues. Warnings are triggered at 85% usage, alerts at 90%, and the cluster goes read-only at 95% to protect data integrity. This proactive approach ensures that your data remains safe and accessible.

User Management​

Adding users to Ceph is straightforward. Just as you logged in with an admin account, additional users can be added via the dashboard or CLI. This flexibility allows for efficient management of access controls and user permissions. You can also set up alerts and upgrade your Ceph cluster directly from the dashboard to ensure it remains up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.

Pools and Data Efficiency​

Ceph allows the creation of different types of pools for data storage, each optimized for specific use cases. For instance, a replica of three means there are three copies of the same file, resulting in a 33% efficiency ratio. While this provides high redundancy, it consumes more storage.

Erasure Coding for Object Storage​

For object storage, erasure coding (3:1) offers a 75% efficiency ratio, allowing one host to go down without any data loss. This method balances efficiency with data protection, making it ideal for large-scale object storage solutions.

Monitoring Pool Performance​

Monitoring the performance of each pool in Ceph is essential for maintaining optimal operations. For example, when writing to an object storage pool, you can track metrics such as the amount of free space and data throughput. Enabling compression in pools can significantly enhance storage efficiency, as demonstrated by our example of a five-gigabyte text file compressed to just 441 megabytes.

Setting Up S3 Object Storage​

To use Ceph as an S3-compatible object storage solution, you need to create a user. In our example, we created a user named "OMI test" with S3 credentials. Using a tool like S3CMD, you can configure and interact with your S3 storage. This involves specifying the IP for the S3 endpoint, access key, and secret key.

Configuring S3CMD​

Once configured, you can create buckets and upload data. In our demonstration, we uploaded a picture of Neptune and a five-gigabyte text file. The text file was split into 250-megabyte chunks before uploading, showcasing Ceph's efficient handling of large files. S3CMD facilitates seamless interaction with the S3-compatible object storage, making data management intuitive and efficient.

Accessing Uploaded Data​

After uploading, you can set access control lists (ACLs) to make files publicly accessible. Using S3CMD, you can list the contents of your S3 storage and obtain direct URLs to access files over the internet. This feature is particularly useful for sharing data and integrating with other systems and services.

Public Access Configuration​

To make a file publicly accessible, set the appropriate ACLs. For example, setting ACL public on a file will generate a URL that can be accessed over the internet. This functionality is crucial for applications that require public data access, such as web services and content delivery networks.

Conclusion​

Ceph offers a robust and efficient solution for object storage, with comprehensive management capabilities through its dashboard. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively manage your Ceph cluster, ensure data integrity, and leverage advanced storage features. Ceph's flexibility, scalability, and efficiency make it an ideal choice for modern storage needs.

Whether you're managing a small-scale deployment or a large-scale data center, Ceph provides the tools and capabilities to meet your storage requirements. Embrace the power of Ceph and unlock the full potential of your storage infrastructure.