Open Systems Reference Platform

Overview

The Open Systems Reference Platform is a production environment that hosts real, long-running services while serving as a controlled space for architectural validation, prototype development, and technology evaluation. It operates continuously with predictable stability, making it suitable for production workloads and testing enterprise design patterns before applying them in larger environments.

This platform underpins Repository entries, blog content, and architecture work by providing a consistent reference environment. It functions as a small-scale reference architecture rather than a disposable lab, prioritizing reliability, maintainability, and conceptual scalability.

Design Philosophy

Production-First Approach: Every component must support real workloads while enabling architectural experimentation.

Enterprise Patterns at Scale: Demonstrates enterprise-grade patterns using cost-effective, open-source technologies.

Single-Operator Model: Fully manageable by a single architect operator without dedicated operations staff.

Design Goals & Constraints

Goals

• Operate as a production platform capable of supporting persistent, real-world services
• Demonstrate enterprise architecture patterns using cost-effective, open source technologies
• Integrate compute, storage, networking, identity, security, and observability in a cohesive design
• Enable automation and infrastructure as code across the environment
• Remain fully manageable by a single architect operator
• Maintain enough resiliency to withstand routine maintenance and small failures

Constraints

• Limited power, space, and recurring operating cost
• Residential-grade uplink capacity with realistic bandwidth characteristics
• No dedicated operations or support staff
• Hardware refresh cycles based on practical budget considerations
• Limited ability to deploy multi-site redundancy

These constraints provide a realistic context similar to small and mid-sized organizations operating modern infrastructure without enterprise-scale resources.

Architecture Components

Compute Layer

Virtualization platform hosting critical services, development workloads, and test environments.

Workload Categories:

• Core Services: Identity, DNS, NTP, logging, reverse proxies
• Security Services: Segmentation enforcement, certificate services, supporting controls
• Application Workloads: Production services, long-running tools, test applications

High Availability: Implemented through hypervisor-managed failover and repeatable recovery procedures.

Network Core

Structured segmentation architecture separating user networks, administrative interfaces, security tooling, infrastructure services, and public-facing components.

Key Components:

• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall: Provides routing, deep inspection, and policy enforcement for all inter-zone traffic
• Management Network Isolation: Identity services, storage systems, and observability tools communicate only through defined control paths
• Least-Privilege Internet Access: Outbound access restricted to required services

Storage & Data Protection

Reliable datastores with tiered data placement strategy:

Data Tiers:

• Critical State: Identity databases, configuration repositories, administrative services
• Operational Data: Logs, metrics, automation artifacts
• Ephemeral Data: Test workloads and short-lived systems

Protection Strategy:

• Coordinated snapshot schedules
• Consistent backup routines
• Offsite encrypted storage
• Tested recovery procedures

Identity Plane

Centralized identity provider serving as the trust foundation:

Core Services:

• Authentication and single sign-on
• Federation with supporting systems
• Group and role-based access control
• MFA enforcement for privileged operations
• Integration with hypervisors, security appliances, and administrative interfaces

Security & Observability

Security Layers:

• Boundary and inter-zone enforcement through next-generation firewall
• TLS encryption and certificate-based trust throughout environment
• Comprehensive logging for all systems, applications, and network devices
• Monitoring and alerting for infrastructure health and security events

Observability Components:

• System metrics collection
• Container health monitoring
• Application log aggregation
• Authentication event tracking
• Proactive operations and security analysis
• High availability configuration with shared storage
• Container and VM workload support

Network Layer

• Palo Alto firewall providing perimeter security and micro-segmentation
• VLAN-based network isolation following zero-trust principles
• Dedicated management and infrastructure network segments

Identity Layer

• Authentik providing centralized identity and access management
• OIDC/SAML integration with infrastructure components
• Role-based access control and multi-factor authentication

Security Layer

• Defense-in-depth implementation across all architectural layers
• Centralized logging and monitoring via open source SIEM
• Automated vulnerability assessment and compliance reporting

Implementation Notes

The platform evolves continuously to incorporate new technologies and patterns. Implementation emphasizes documentation and repeatability to support knowledge transfer. Configuration management through Infrastructure as Code principles ensures consistency and version control.

Commands and Configuration

# Example infrastructure deployment via Ansible
ansible-playbook -i inventory/production site.yml --tags infrastructure

# Container deployment via Docker Compose
docker-compose -f docker/production.yml up -d

# Network configuration validation
./scripts/validate-network-config.sh

Environment Tiers

Core Tier: Persistent services defining platform identity and stability

Project Tier: Architecture prototypes and long-running evaluation initiatives

Ephemeral Tier: Short-lived workloads for testing, concept validation, and content creation

All tiers share infrastructure but remain isolated through network segmentation, automation, and lifecycle management.

Technology Selection Principles

Tools and platforms selected based on:

• Preference for open source or low-cost solutions with strong operational maturity
• Alignment with patterns used in enterprise-scale environments
• Support for open standards and modular integration
• Avoidance of narrow, single-purpose technologies
• Long-term maintainability and conceptual scalability

Operational Practices

Production Operations Standards

• Structured Maintenance Windows: Planned downtime with proper notification
• Controlled Updates: Patching cycles with rollback procedures
• Version-Controlled Changes: All configuration changes tracked and reviewable
• Continuous Monitoring: Real-time alerting for infrastructure and security events
• Backup Verification: Regular testing of restore procedures
• Documentation Standards: Comprehensive documentation for routine and complex tasks

Resiliency Strategy

Layered Backup Approach:

• Virtual machine backups for complete system restoration
• Application-level backups for critical databases and configurations
• Offsite encrypted retention with tested restore procedures
• Periodic validation to maintain operational confidence

Use Cases & Applications

The platform supports multiple operational modes:

Production Hosting: Essential services with enterprise-grade reliability

Architectural Validation: Testing enterprise patterns before large-scale deployment

Prototype Development: Iterative development with production-like constraints

Technology Evaluation: Controlled assessment of new tools and approaches

Content Creation: Foundation for Repository entries and technical blog content

Integration with Repository & Blog

This platform serves as the foundation for Repository entries and technical content. Repository documents describe patterns validated within this environment. Blog posts reference scenarios, diagrams, and lessons derived from its design and operation.

This creates a consistent and credible narrative across all technical content, ensuring recommendations are grounded in real operational experience.

Related Repository Entries

• Identity Platform Architecture: Detailed identity provider implementation and federation patterns
• Disaster Recovery Patterns on the Reference Platform: Backup, recovery, and business continuity strategies
• Network Segmentation Strategies: VLAN design, firewall policies, and traffic flow patterns
• Observability Framework Overview: Monitoring, logging, and alerting implementation
• Automation and IaC Standards: Infrastructure as code patterns and deployment automation
• Secure Service Deployment Patterns: Container security, certificate management, and service hardening

Key Takeaways

✅ Production-Ready Reference: Demonstrates that enterprise patterns work effectively at smaller scales with cost-effective technologies

✅ Operational Discipline: Maintains production standards even during modernization and experimentation phases

✅ Scalable Principles: Architecture principles and patterns translate directly to larger enterprise environments

✅ Cost-Effective Innovation: Proves enterprise-grade capabilities achievable without enterprise-scale budgets

✅ Knowledge Foundation: Provides credible foundation for all technical content and architectural guidance