Project Plan: Infrastructure Upgrade and System Optimization for TMC Quest Platform
1. Project Overview
TMC Quest operates a proprietary platform on Ubuntu, utilizing Apache2, MariaDB, PHP, Python, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to deliver user interfaces for a select group of users. The platform manages critical functions such as large-scale data processing, geolocation services, AI-driven image analysis, mass texting via Twilio, real-time SMS handling, and system maintenance through cron tasks. Due to the increasing complexity and resource demands, the current VPS infrastructure (A2, $8/month) with 1GHz CPU and 1GB RAM is insufficient. This project aims to upgrade the infrastructure, redistribute workloads across multiple servers, enhance system performance, and ensure scalability for future growth.
2. Objectives
- Infrastructure Upgrade: Transition from a single VPS to a multi-server architecture to distribute workloads effectively.
- System Refactoring: Rewrite the existing PHP and MariaDB codebase to support a master/slave database setup and segregate read/write operations.
- Database Optimization: Design and implement optimized databases with replication for improved performance and reliability.
- User Interface Redesign: Develop a new GUI tailored for appointment setters with enhanced search, contact, and lead prioritization capabilities.
- Performance Enhancement: Optimize CPU-intensive tasks and database queries, and implement a Redis cache layer for efficient number lookups.
- Development Environment Setup: Establish a dedicated development server to streamline development processes and provide a fallback mechanism.
- Comprehensive Configuration: Handle all aspects of server configuration, networking, domain management, SSL certification, security, and more.
3. Project Scope and Tasks
3.1 Infrastructure Setup
Acquire and Configure New VPS (tmc.quest)
- Provision a more powerful VPS with enhanced CPU, RAM, and storage.
- Install and configure Ubuntu, Apache2, MariaDB, PHP, Python, and dependencies.
- Set up SSH access and secure the server.
Set Up Slave Server (chat.tmc.quest)
- Provision a secondary VPS.
- Install necessary software and configure MariaDB replication in a master/slave setup.
Establish Development Server (dev.tmc.quest)
- Provision a tertiary VPS.
- Install development tools and environments.
- Set up as a fallback and secondary MariaDB replicant.
Domain Acquisition and DNS Configuration
- Register domains (tmc.quest, chat.tmc.quest, dev.tmc.quest).
- Configure DNS records for respective servers.
SSL Certificate Installation
- Obtain SSL certificates for all domains (e.g., via Let's Encrypt).
- Install and configure SSL on Apache2 for secure HTTPS connections.
3.2 System Refactoring and Development
Rewrite Existing Project for Distributed Architecture
- Analyze the current codebase to identify dependencies.
- Refactor PHP scripts for distributed read/write operations.
- Implement a proprietary routing and load distribution system.
Design and Implement Database Replication
- Configure MariaDB master/slave replication settings.
- Ensure data consistency and integrity.
- Implement failover mechanisms.
Develop New User Interface for Appointment Setters
- Design UI/UX layouts tailored for appointment setters.
- Develop frontend components and integrate backend functionalities.
Optimize CPU-Intensive Tasks and Database Queries
- Profile existing tasks to identify bottlenecks.
- Refactor Python scripts and SQL queries for efficiency.
- Implement indexing and query optimization.
Implement Redis Cache Layer for Number Lookups
- Install and configure Redis on the master server.
- Modify PHP scripts to utilize Redis for caching.
- Ensure synchronization between Redis and MariaDB.
3.3 Performance and Reliability Enhancements
- Offload Proprietary Software to Read-Only Mode on Tertiary Server
- Implement Load Balancing and Failover Strategies
- Set Up and Optimize Cron Tasks
3.4 Security and Maintenance
3.5 Testing and Deployment
Comprehensive Testing
- Perform unit, integration, and system testing.
- Conduct load testing and validate database replication.
Deployment and Migration
- Migrate data and deploy the refactored codebase.
User Training and Documentation
- Create comprehensive documentation and provide training.
4. Project Timeline
The project is estimated to take 24 weeks (approximately 6 months), with tasks handled sequentially by Jack. Highlights:
- Weeks 1-3: Infrastructure Setup
- Weeks 4-7: System Refactoring and Initial Development
- Weeks 8-13: UI Development and Performance Optimization
- Weeks 14-17: Performance Enhancements and Load Balancing
- Weeks 18-19: Security Enhancements and Backup Setup
- Weeks 20-22: Testing and Quality Assurance
- Weeks 23-24: Deployment and User Training
5. Resource Allocation
Personnel:
- Jack: Handles all tasks, including server setup, coding, and deployment.
Tools and Technologies:
- Servers: VPS instances for tmc.quest, chat.tmc.quest, dev.tmc.quest.
- Software: Ubuntu, Apache2, MariaDB, PHP, Python, JavaScript frameworks, Redis, Twilio API.
- Monitoring: Nagios, Prometheus.
- Security: Firewalls, SSL certificates.
6. Risk Management
- Single Point of Failure: Mitigated by task prioritization and potential outsourcing.
- Data Integrity: Ensured via consistent testing and backups.
- Security Vulnerabilities: Addressed through regular monitoring and updates.
- Scalability Issues: Designed for growth with modular and scalable systems.
7. Success Metrics
- Improved system performance (CPU, RAM utilization, query response times).
- Increased reliability (uptime, failover success).
- Enhanced scalability (handles increased load).
- Positive user feedback.
- Security compliance (no breaches).
8. Conclusion
This upgrade is critical to enhancing the TMC Quest platform's performance, reliability, and scalability. By implementing multi-server architecture, database optimization, and UI improvements, we aim to future-proof the system for growth.