I have expanded my home lab from just raspberry pies and one old gaming machine to a bunch of raspberry pies and a second oldish gaming machine.
As part of this expansion I’m looking to pull some services off the pi and on the the pc. This will free up the pies for kubernetes and other stuff.
I wasn’t sure how to go about a couple things so I asked ollama (running gemma:latest). Here is what she told me
For running word press in docker, which is best, a virtual server or a virtual container?
Virtual container is the best option for running WordPress in Docker.
Reasons why a virtual container is better:
- Isolation: Each container runs in isolation from other containers, preventing interference or conflicts.
- Portability: Containers can be easily moved between different hosts without dependencies on the host system.
- Efficiency: Containers use fewer resources than virtual servers, reducing overhead.
- Concurrency: Multiple containers can run on the same host without significant performance impact.
Virtual servers are not suitable for running WordPress in Docker because:
- Overhead: Virtual servers are heavier and more resource-intensive than containers.
- Interdependence: Virtual servers require a host operating system, which can introduce dependencies and complexity.
- Management: Managing multiple virtual servers can be more complex than managing containers.
Therefore, virtual containers are the recommended approach for running WordPress in Docker due to their isolation, portability, efficiency, and concurrency capabilities.
Then I asked “what is a good container os to use for running wordpress?”
1. Alpine Linux:
- Lightweight and resource-efficient
- Minimalist and secure
- Supports a wide range of packages and tools
2. Debian Stable:
- Stable and reliable
- Good package management system
- Wide range of community support
3. Ubuntu:
- User-friendly and familiar
- Excellent package management
- Good for development and testing
4. Nginx Linux:
- Designed for web servers
- Includes Nginx web server
- Lightweight and efficient
5. PHP-FPM Images:
- Official PHP-FPM images available for various versions
- Includes PHP runtime environment
- Designed for running PHP applications like WordPress
Considerations when choosing a container OS:
- Resource efficiency: Choose a lightweight OS for better performance in Docker.
- Package availability: Ensure that the OS has the necessary packages for WordPress.
- Community support: A larger community provides more resources and support.
- Stability: For production environments, prioritize stability and reliability.
- Use case: Consider the specific needs of your WordPress installation.
Recommendation:
For most WordPress installations, Alpine Linux or Debian Stable are recommended due to their lightweight nature, stability, and wide availability of packages.
Then I Asked: ok, what are the resources (CPU, RAM, Hard drive) should I give a LXC running wordpress?
Recommended resources for a LXC running WordPress:
CPU: 2-4 cores RAM: 2-4 GB Hard drive: 20-50 GB
Additional considerations:
- Traffic volume: More traffic requires more resources.
- WordPress plugins: Certain plugins can consume more CPU and RAM.
- Database size: Larger databases will need more storage.
Optimal configuration:
- For a basic WordPress installation with minimal traffic: 2 cores, 2 GB RAM, 20 GB HD
- For a more complex WordPress installation with many plugins and traffic: 4 cores, 4 GB RAM, 50 GB HD
Note: These recommendations are a starting point. Adjust the resources as needed based on your specific needs and requirements.
I think ollama/gemma:latest did a great job with the analysis and suggestion, so it is what I did.