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Recommended single-node OpenShift cluster configuration for vDU application workloads

Running low latency applications on OKD

OKD enables low latency processing for applications running on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware by using several technologies and specialized hardware devices:

Real-time kernel for RHCOS

Ensures workloads are handled with a high degree of process determinism.

CPU isolation

Avoids CPU scheduling delays and ensures CPU capacity is available consistently.

NUMA-aware topology management

Aligns memory and huge pages with CPU and PCI devices to pin guaranteed container memory and huge pages to the non-uniform memory access (NUMA) node. Pod resources for all Quality of Service (QoS) classes stay on the same NUMA node. This decreases latency and improves performance of the node.

Huge pages memory management

Using huge page sizes improves system performance by reducing the amount of system resources required to access page tables.

Precision timing synchronization using PTP

Allows synchronization between nodes in the network with sub-microsecond accuracy.

Recommended cluster host requirements for vDU application workloads

Running vDU application workloads requires a bare-metal host with sufficient resources to run OKD services and production workloads.

Table 1. Minimum resource requirements
Profile vCPU Memory Storage

Minimum

4 to 8 vCPU

32GB of RAM

120GB

One vCPU equals one physical core. However, if you enable simultaneous multithreading (SMT), or Hyper-Threading, use the following formula to calculate the number of vCPUs that represent one physical core:

  • (threads per core × cores) × sockets = vCPUs

The server must have a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) when booting with virtual media.

Configuring host firmware for low latency and high performance

Bare-metal hosts require the firmware to be configured before the host can be provisioned. The firmware configuration is dependent on the specific hardware and the particular requirements of your installation.

Procedure

  1. Set the UEFI/BIOS Boot Mode to UEFI.

  2. In the host boot sequence order, set Hard drive first.

  3. Apply the specific firmware configuration for your hardware. The following table describes a representative firmware configuration for an Intel Xeon Skylake or Intel Cascade Lake server, based on the Intel FlexRAN 4G and 5G baseband PHY reference design.

    The exact firmware configuration depends on your specific hardware and network requirements. The following sample configuration is for illustrative purposes only.
    Table 2. Sample firmware configuration for an Intel Xeon Skylake or Cascade Lake server
    Firmware setting Configuration

    CPU Power and Performance Policy

    Performance

    Uncore Frequency Scaling

    Disabled

    Performance P-limit

    Disabled

    Enhanced Intel SpeedStep ® Tech

    Enabled

    Intel Configurable TDP

    Enabled

    Configurable TDP Level

    Level 2

    Intel® Turbo Boost Technology

    Enabled

    Energy Efficient Turbo

    Disabled

    Hardware P-States

    Disabled

    Package C-State

    C0/C1 state

    C1E

    Disabled

    Processor C6

    Disabled

Enable global SR-IOV and VT-d settings in the firmware for the host. These settings are relevant to bare-metal environments.

Connectivity prerequisites for managed cluster networks

Before you can install and provision a managed cluster with the GitOps Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) pipeline, the managed cluster host must meet the following networking prerequisites:

  • There must be bi-directional connectivity between the GitOps ZTP container in the hub cluster and the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) of the target bare-metal host.

  • The managed cluster must be able to resolve and reach the API hostname of the hub hostname and *.apps hostname. Here is an example of the API hostname of the hub and *.apps hostname:

    • api.hub-cluster.internal.domain.com

    • console-openshift-console.apps.hub-cluster.internal.domain.com

  • The hub cluster must be able to resolve and reach the API and *.apps hostname of the managed cluster. Here is an example of the API hostname of the managed cluster and *.apps hostname:

    • api.sno-managed-cluster-1.internal.domain.com

    • console-openshift-console.apps.sno-managed-cluster-1.internal.domain.com

Workload partitioning in single-node OpenShift with GitOps ZTP

Workload partitioning configures OKD services, cluster management workloads, and infrastructure pods to run on a reserved number of host CPUs.

To configure workload partitioning with GitOps Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), you configure a cpuPartitioningMode field in the SiteConfig custom resource (CR) that you use to install the cluster and you apply a PerformanceProfile CR that configures the isolated and reserved CPUs on the host.

Configuring the SiteConfig CR enables workload partitioning at cluster installation time and applying the PerformanceProfile CR configures the specific allocation of CPUs to reserved and isolated sets. Both of these steps happen at different points during cluster provisioning.

Configuring workload partitioning by using the cpuPartitioningMode field in the SiteConfig CR is a Tech Preview feature in OKD 4.13.

Alternatively, you can specify cluster management CPU resources with the cpuset field of the SiteConfig custom resource (CR) and the reserved field of the group PolicyGenTemplate CR. The GitOps ZTP pipeline uses these values to populate the required fields in the workload partitioning MachineConfig CR (cpuset) and the PerformanceProfile CR (reserved) that configure the single-node OpenShift cluster. This method is a General Availability feature in OKD 4.14.

The workload partitioning configuration pins the OKD infrastructure pods to the reserved CPU set. Platform services such as systemd, CRI-O, and kubelet run on the reserved CPU set. The isolated CPU sets are exclusively allocated to your container workloads. Isolating CPUs ensures that the workload has guaranteed access to the specified CPUs without contention from other applications running on the same node. All CPUs that are not isolated should be reserved.

Ensure that reserved and isolated CPU sets do not overlap with each other.
Additional resources

  • For the recommended single-node OpenShift workload partitioning configuration, see Workload partitioning.

Recommended cluster install manifests

The ZTP pipeline applies the following custom resources (CRs) during cluster installation. These configuration CRs ensure that the cluster meets the feature and performance requirements necessary for running a vDU application.

When using the GitOps ZTP plugin and SiteConfig CRs for cluster deployment, the following MachineConfig CRs are included by default.

Use the SiteConfig extraManifests filter to alter the CRs that are included by default. For more information, see Advanced managed cluster configuration with SiteConfig CRs.

Workload partitioning

Single-node OpenShift clusters that run DU workloads require workload partitioning. This limits the cores allowed to run platform services, maximizing the CPU core for application payloads.

Workload partitioning can be enabled during cluster installation only. You cannot disable workload partitioning postinstallation. You can however change the set of CPUs assigned to the isolated and reserved sets through the PerformanceProfile CR. Changes to CPU settings cause the node to reboot.
Upgrading from OKD 4.12 to 4.13+

When transitioning to using cpuPartitioningMode for enabling workload partitioning, remove the workload partitioning MachineConfig CRs from the /extra-manifest folder that you use to provision the cluster.
Recommended SiteConfig CR configuration for workload partitioning
apiVersion: ran.openshift.io/v1
kind: SiteConfig
metadata:
  name: "<site_name>"
  namespace: "<site_name>"
spec:
  baseDomain: "example.com"
  cpuPartitioningMode: AllNodes (1)
1 Set the cpuPartitioningMode field to AllNodes to configure workload partitioning for all nodes in the cluster.
Verification

Check that the applications and cluster system CPU pinning is correct. Run the following commands:

  1. Open a remote shell prompt to the managed cluster:

    $ oc debug node/example-sno-1

  2. Check that the OpenShift infrastructure applications CPU pinning is correct:

    sh-4.4# pgrep ovn | while read i; do taskset -cp $i; done
    Example output
    pid 8481's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53
pid 8726's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53
pid 9088's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53
pid 9945's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53
pid 10387's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53
pid 12123's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53
pid 13313's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53

  3. Check that the system applications CPU pinning is correct:

    sh-4.4# pgrep systemd | while read i; do taskset -cp $i; done
    Example output
    pid 1's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53
pid 938's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53
pid 962's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53
pid 1197's current affinity list: 0-1,52-53

Reduced platform management footprint

To reduce the overall management footprint of the platform, a MachineConfig custom resource (CR) is required that places all Kubernetes-specific mount points in a new namespace separate from the host operating system. The following base64-encoded example MachineConfig CR illustrates this configuration.

Recommended container mount namespace configuration (01-container-mount-ns-and-kubelet-conf-master.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: master
  name: container-mount-namespace-and-kubelet-conf-master
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
    storage:
      files:
        - contents:
            source: data:text/plain;charset=utf-8;base64,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
          mode: 493
          path: /usr/local/bin/extractExecStart
        - contents:
            source: data:text/plain;charset=utf-8;base64,IyEvYmluL2Jhc2gKbnNlbnRlciAtLW1vdW50PS9ydW4vY29udGFpbmVyLW1vdW50LW5hbWVzcGFjZS9tbnQgIiRAIgo=
          mode: 493
          path: /usr/local/bin/nsenterCmns
    systemd:
      units:
        - contents: |
            [Unit]
            Description=Manages a mount namespace that both kubelet and crio can use to share their container-specific mounts

            [Service]
            Type=oneshot
            RemainAfterExit=yes
            RuntimeDirectory=container-mount-namespace
            Environment=RUNTIME_DIRECTORY=%t/container-mount-namespace
            Environment=BIND_POINT=%t/container-mount-namespace/mnt
            ExecStartPre=bash -c "findmnt ${RUNTIME_DIRECTORY} || mount --make-unbindable --bind ${RUNTIME_DIRECTORY} ${RUNTIME_DIRECTORY}"
            ExecStartPre=touch ${BIND_POINT}
            ExecStart=unshare --mount=${BIND_POINT} --propagation slave mount --make-rshared /
            ExecStop=umount -R ${RUNTIME_DIRECTORY}
          name: container-mount-namespace.service
        - dropins:
            - contents: |
                [Unit]
                Wants=container-mount-namespace.service
                After=container-mount-namespace.service

                [Service]
                ExecStartPre=/usr/local/bin/extractExecStart %n /%t/%N-execstart.env ORIG_EXECSTART
                EnvironmentFile=-/%t/%N-execstart.env
                ExecStart=
                ExecStart=bash -c "nsenter --mount=%t/container-mount-namespace/mnt \
                    ${ORIG_EXECSTART}"
              name: 90-container-mount-namespace.conf
          name: crio.service
        - dropins:
            - contents: |
                [Unit]
                Wants=container-mount-namespace.service
                After=container-mount-namespace.service

                [Service]
                ExecStartPre=/usr/local/bin/extractExecStart %n /%t/%N-execstart.env ORIG_EXECSTART
                EnvironmentFile=-/%t/%N-execstart.env
                ExecStart=
                ExecStart=bash -c "nsenter --mount=%t/container-mount-namespace/mnt \
                    ${ORIG_EXECSTART} --housekeeping-interval=30s"
              name: 90-container-mount-namespace.conf
            - contents: |
                [Service]
                Environment="OPENSHIFT_MAX_HOUSEKEEPING_INTERVAL_DURATION=60s"
                Environment="OPENSHIFT_EVICTION_MONITORING_PERIOD_DURATION=30s"
              name: 30-kubelet-interval-tuning.conf
          name: kubelet.service

SCTP

Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) is a key protocol used in RAN applications. This MachineConfig object adds the SCTP kernel module to the node to enable this protocol.

Recommended control plane node SCTP configuration (03-sctp-machine-config-master.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: master
  name: load-sctp-module-master
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 2.2.0
    storage:
      files:
        - contents:
            source: data:,
            verification: {}
          filesystem: root
          mode: 420
          path: /etc/modprobe.d/sctp-blacklist.conf
        - contents:
            source: data:text/plain;charset=utf-8,sctp
          filesystem: root
          mode: 420
          path: /etc/modules-load.d/sctp-load.conf
Recommended worker node SCTP configuration (03-sctp-machine-config-worker.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: worker
  name: load-sctp-module-worker
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 2.2.0
    storage:
      files:
        - contents:
            source: data:,
            verification: {}
          filesystem: root
          mode: 420
          path: /etc/modprobe.d/sctp-blacklist.conf
        - contents:
            source: data:text/plain;charset=utf-8,sctp
          filesystem: root
          mode: 420
          path: /etc/modules-load.d/sctp-load.conf

Setting rcu_normal

The following MachineConfig CR configures the system to set rcu_normal to 1 after the system has finished startup. This improves kernel latency for vDU applications.

Recommended configuration for disabling rcu_expedited after the node has finished startup (08-set-rcu-normal-master.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: master
  name: 08-set-rcu-normal-master
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
    storage:
      files:
        - contents:
            source: data:text/plain;charset=utf-8;base64,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
          mode: 493
          path: /usr/local/bin/set-rcu-normal.sh
    systemd:
      units:
        - contents: |
            [Unit]
            Description=Disable rcu_expedited after node has finished booting by setting rcu_normal to 1

            [Service]
            Type=simple
            ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/set-rcu-normal.sh

            # Maximum wait time is 600s = 10m:
            Environment=MAXIMUM_WAIT_TIME=600

            # Steady-state threshold = 2%
            # Allowed values:
            #  4  - absolute pod count (+/-)
            #  4% - percent change (+/-)
            #  -1 - disable the steady-state check
            # Note: '%' must be escaped as '%%' in systemd unit files
            Environment=STEADY_STATE_THRESHOLD=2%%

            # Steady-state window = 120s
            # If the running pod count stays within the given threshold for this time
            # period, return CPU utilization to normal before the maximum wait time has
            # expires
            Environment=STEADY_STATE_WINDOW=120

            # Steady-state minimum = 40
            # Increasing this will skip any steady-state checks until the count rises above
            # this number to avoid false positives if there are some periods where the
            # count doesn't increase but we know we can't be at steady-state yet.
            Environment=STEADY_STATE_MINIMUM=40

            [Install]
            WantedBy=multi-user.target
          enabled: true
          name: set-rcu-normal.service

Automatic kernel crash dumps with kdump

kdump is a Linux kernel feature that creates a kernel crash dump when the kernel crashes. kdump is enabled with the following MachineConfig CRs.

Recommended MachineConfig CR to remove ice driver from control plane kdump logs (05-kdump-config-master.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: master
  name: 05-kdump-config-master
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
    systemd:
      units:
        - enabled: true
          name: kdump-remove-ice-module.service
          contents: |
            [Unit]
            Description=Remove ice module when doing kdump
            Before=kdump.service
            [Service]
            Type=oneshot
            RemainAfterExit=true
            ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/kdump-remove-ice-module.sh
            [Install]
            WantedBy=multi-user.target
    storage:
      files:
        - contents:
            source: data:text/plain;charset=utf-8;base64,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
          mode: 448
          path: /usr/local/bin/kdump-remove-ice-module.sh
Recommended control plane node kdump configuration (06-kdump-master.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: master
  name: 06-kdump-enable-master
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
    systemd:
      units:
        - enabled: true
          name: kdump.service
  kernelArguments:
    - crashkernel=512M
Recommended MachineConfig CR to remove ice driver from worker node kdump logs (05-kdump-config-worker.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: worker
  name: 05-kdump-config-worker
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
    systemd:
      units:
        - enabled: true
          name: kdump-remove-ice-module.service
          contents: |
            [Unit]
            Description=Remove ice module when doing kdump
            Before=kdump.service
            [Service]
            Type=oneshot
            RemainAfterExit=true
            ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/kdump-remove-ice-module.sh
            [Install]
            WantedBy=multi-user.target
    storage:
      files:
        - contents:
            source: data:text/plain;charset=utf-8;base64,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
          mode: 448
          path: /usr/local/bin/kdump-remove-ice-module.sh
Recommended kdump worker node configuration (06-kdump-worker.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: worker
  name: 06-kdump-enable-worker
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
    systemd:
      units:
        - enabled: true
          name: kdump.service
  kernelArguments:
    - crashkernel=512M

Disable automatic CRI-O cache wipe

After an uncontrolled host shutdown or cluster reboot, CRI-O automatically deletes the entire CRI-O cache, causing all images to be pulled from the registry when the node reboots. This can result in unacceptably slow recovery times or recovery failures. To prevent this from happening in single-node OpenShift clusters that you install with GitOps ZTP, disable the CRI-O delete cache feature during cluster installation.

Recommended MachineConfig CR to disable CRI-O cache wipe on control plane nodes (99-crio-disable-wipe-master.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: master
  name: 99-crio-disable-wipe-master
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
    storage:
      files:
        - contents:
            source: data:text/plain;charset=utf-8;base64,W2NyaW9dCmNsZWFuX3NodXRkb3duX2ZpbGUgPSAiIgo=
          mode: 420
          path: /etc/crio/crio.conf.d/99-crio-disable-wipe.toml
Recommended MachineConfig CR to disable CRI-O cache wipe on worker nodes (99-crio-disable-wipe-worker.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: worker
  name: 99-crio-disable-wipe-worker
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
    storage:
      files:
        - contents:
            source: data:text/plain;charset=utf-8;base64,W2NyaW9dCmNsZWFuX3NodXRkb3duX2ZpbGUgPSAiIgo=
          mode: 420
          path: /etc/crio/crio.conf.d/99-crio-disable-wipe.toml

Configuring crun as the default container runtime

The following ContainerRuntimeConfig custom resources (CRs) configure crun as the default OCI container runtime for control plane and worker nodes. The crun container runtime is fast and lightweight and has a low memory footprint.

For optimal performance, enable crun for control plane and worker nodes in single-node OpenShift, three-node OpenShift, and standard clusters. To avoid the cluster rebooting when the CR is applied, apply the change as a GitOps ZTP additional Day 0 install-time manifest.
Recommended ContainerRuntimeConfig CR for control plane nodes (enable-crun-master.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: ContainerRuntimeConfig
metadata:
  name: enable-crun-master
spec:
  machineConfigPoolSelector:
    matchLabels:
      pools.operator.machineconfiguration.openshift.io/master: ""
  containerRuntimeConfig:
    defaultRuntime: crun
Recommended ContainerRuntimeConfig CR for worker nodes (enable-crun-worker.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: ContainerRuntimeConfig
metadata:
  name: enable-crun-worker
spec:
  machineConfigPoolSelector:
    matchLabels:
      pools.operator.machineconfiguration.openshift.io/worker: ""
  containerRuntimeConfig:
    defaultRuntime: crun

Recommended postinstallation cluster configurations

When the cluster installation is complete, the ZTP pipeline applies the following custom resources (CRs) that are required to run DU workloads.

In GitOps ZTP v4.10 and earlier, you configure UEFI secure boot with a MachineConfig CR. This is no longer required in GitOps ZTP v4.11 and later. In v4.11, you configure UEFI secure boot for single-node OpenShift clusters by updating the spec.clusters.nodes.bootMode field in the SiteConfig CR that you use to install the cluster. For more information, see Deploying a managed cluster with SiteConfig and GitOps ZTP.

Operators

Single-node OpenShift clusters that run DU workloads require the following Operators to be installed:

  • Local Storage Operator

  • Logging Operator

  • PTP Operator

  • SR-IOV Network Operator

You also need to configure a custom CatalogSource CR, disable the default OperatorHub configuration, and configure an ImageContentSourcePolicy mirror registry that is accessible from the clusters that you install.

Recommended Storage Operator namespace and Operator group configuration (StorageNS.yaml, StorageOperGroup.yaml)
---
apiVersion: v1
kind: Namespace
metadata:
  name: openshift-local-storage
  annotations:
    workload.openshift.io/allowed: management
---
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1
kind: OperatorGroup
metadata:
  name: openshift-local-storage
  namespace: openshift-local-storage
  annotations: {}
spec:
  targetNamespaces:
    - openshift-local-storage
Recommended Cluster Logging Operator namespace and Operator group configuration (ClusterLogNS.yaml, ClusterLogOperGroup.yaml)
---
apiVersion: v1
kind: Namespace
metadata:
  name: openshift-logging
  annotations:
    workload.openshift.io/allowed: management
---
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1
kind: OperatorGroup
metadata:
  name: cluster-logging
  namespace: openshift-logging
  annotations: {}
spec:
  targetNamespaces:
    - openshift-logging
Recommended PTP Operator namespace and Operator group configuration (PtpSubscriptionNS.yaml, PtpSubscriptionOperGroup.yaml)
---
apiVersion: v1
kind: Namespace
metadata:
  name: openshift-ptp
  annotations:
    workload.openshift.io/allowed: management
  labels:
    openshift.io/cluster-monitoring: "true"
---
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1
kind: OperatorGroup
metadata:
  name: ptp-operators
  namespace: openshift-ptp
  annotations: {}
spec:
  targetNamespaces:
    - openshift-ptp
Recommended SR-IOV Operator namespace and Operator group configuration (SriovSubscriptionNS.yaml, SriovSubscriptionOperGroup.yaml)
---
apiVersion: v1
kind: Namespace
metadata:
  name: openshift-sriov-network-operator
  annotations:
    workload.openshift.io/allowed: management
---
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1
kind: OperatorGroup
metadata:
  name: sriov-network-operators
  namespace: openshift-sriov-network-operator
  annotations: {}
spec:
  targetNamespaces:
    - openshift-sriov-network-operator
Recommended CatalogSource configuration (DefaultCatsrc.yaml)
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1alpha1
kind: CatalogSource
metadata:
  name: default-cat-source
  namespace: openshift-marketplace
  annotations:
    target.workload.openshift.io/management: '{"effect": "PreferredDuringScheduling"}'
spec:
  displayName: default-cat-source
  image: $imageUrl
  publisher: Red Hat
  sourceType: grpc
  updateStrategy:
    registryPoll:
      interval: 1h
status:
  connectionState:
    lastObservedState: READY
Recommended ImageContentSourcePolicy configuration (DisconnectedICSP.yaml)
apiVersion: operator.openshift.io/v1alpha1
kind: ImageContentSourcePolicy
metadata:
  name: disconnected-internal-icsp
  annotations: {}
spec:
  repositoryDigestMirrors:
    - $mirrors
Recommended OperatorHub configuration (OperatorHub.yaml)
apiVersion: config.openshift.io/v1
kind: OperatorHub
metadata:
  name: cluster
  annotations: {}
spec:
  disableAllDefaultSources: true

Operator subscriptions

Single-node OpenShift clusters that run DU workloads require the following Subscription CRs. The subscription provides the location to download the following Operators:

  • Local Storage Operator

  • Logging Operator

  • PTP Operator

  • SR-IOV Network Operator

  • SRIOV-FEC Operator

For each Operator subscription, specify the channel to get the Operator from. The recommended channel is stable.

You can specify Manual or Automatic updates. In Automatic mode, the Operator automatically updates to the latest versions in the channel as they become available in the registry. In Manual mode, new Operator versions are installed only when they are explicitly approved.

Use Manual mode for subscriptions. This allows you to control the timing of Operator updates to fit within scheduled maintenance windows.
Recommended Local Storage Operator subscription (StorageSubscription.yaml)
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1alpha1
kind: Subscription
metadata:
  name: local-storage-operator
  namespace: openshift-local-storage
  annotations: {}
spec:
  channel: "stable"
  name: local-storage-operator
  source: redhat-operators-disconnected
  sourceNamespace: openshift-marketplace
  installPlanApproval: Manual
status:
  state: AtLatestKnown
Recommended SR-IOV Operator subscription (SriovSubscription.yaml)
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1alpha1
kind: Subscription
metadata:
  name: sriov-network-operator-subscription
  namespace: openshift-sriov-network-operator
  annotations: {}
spec:
  channel: "stable"
  name: sriov-network-operator
  source: redhat-operators-disconnected
  sourceNamespace: openshift-marketplace
  installPlanApproval: Manual
status:
  state: AtLatestKnown
Recommended PTP Operator subscription (PtpSubscription.yaml)
---
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1alpha1
kind: Subscription
metadata:
  name: ptp-operator-subscription
  namespace: openshift-ptp
  annotations: {}
spec:
  channel: "stable"
  name: ptp-operator
  source: redhat-operators-disconnected
  sourceNamespace: openshift-marketplace
  installPlanApproval: Manual
status:
  state: AtLatestKnown
Recommended Cluster Logging Operator subscription (ClusterLogSubscription.yaml)
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1alpha1
kind: Subscription
metadata:
  name: cluster-logging
  namespace: openshift-logging
  annotations: {}
spec:
  channel: "stable"
  name: cluster-logging
  source: redhat-operators-disconnected
  sourceNamespace: openshift-marketplace
  installPlanApproval: Manual
status:
  state: AtLatestKnown

Cluster logging and log forwarding

Single-node OpenShift clusters that run DU workloads require logging and log forwarding for debugging. The following ClusterLogging and ClusterLogForwarder custom resources (CRs) are required.

Recommended cluster logging configuration (ClusterLogging.yaml)
apiVersion: logging.openshift.io/v1
kind: ClusterLogging
metadata:
  name: instance
  namespace: openshift-logging
  annotations: {}
spec:
  managementState: "Managed"
  collection:
    logs:
      type: "vector"
Recommended log forwarding configuration (ClusterLogForwarder.yaml)
apiVersion: "logging.openshift.io/v1"
kind: ClusterLogForwarder
metadata:
  name: instance
  namespace: openshift-logging
  annotations: {}
spec:
  outputs: $outputs
  pipelines: $pipelines

Set the spec.outputs.url field to the URL of the Kafka server where the logs are forwarded to.

Performance profile

Single-node OpenShift clusters that run DU workloads require a Node Tuning Operator performance profile to use real-time host capabilities and services.

In earlier versions of OKD, the Performance Addon Operator was used to implement automatic tuning to achieve low latency performance for OpenShift applications. In OKD 4.11 and later, this functionality is part of the Node Tuning Operator.

The following example PerformanceProfile CR illustrates the required single-node OpenShift cluster configuration.

Recommended performance profile configuration (PerformanceProfile.yaml)
apiVersion: performance.openshift.io/v2
kind: PerformanceProfile
metadata:
  # if you change this name make sure the 'include' line in TunedPerformancePatch.yaml
  # matches this name: include=openshift-node-performance-${PerformanceProfile.metadata.name}
  # Also in file 'validatorCRs/informDuValidator.yaml': 
  # name: 50-performance-${PerformanceProfile.metadata.name}
  name: openshift-node-performance-profile
  annotations:
    ran.openshift.io/reference-configuration: "ran-du.redhat.com"
spec:
  additionalKernelArgs:
    - "rcupdate.rcu_normal_after_boot=0"
    - "efi=runtime"
    - "vfio_pci.enable_sriov=1"
    - "vfio_pci.disable_idle_d3=1"
    - "module_blacklist=irdma"
  cpu:
    isolated: $isolated
    reserved: $reserved
  hugepages:
    defaultHugepagesSize: $defaultHugepagesSize
    pages:
      - size: $size
        count: $count
        node: $node
  machineConfigPoolSelector:
    pools.operator.machineconfiguration.openshift.io/$mcp: ""
  nodeSelector:
    node-role.kubernetes.io/$mcp: ""
  numa:
    topologyPolicy: "restricted"
  # To use the standard (non-realtime) kernel, set enabled to false
  realTimeKernel:
    enabled: true
  workloadHints:
    # WorkloadHints defines the set of upper level flags for different type of workloads.
    # See https://github.com/openshift/cluster-node-tuning-operator/blob/master/docs/performanceprofile/performance_profile.md#workloadhints
    # for detailed descriptions of each item.
    # The configuration below is set for a low latency, performance mode.
    realTime: true
    highPowerConsumption: false
    perPodPowerManagement: false
Table 3. PerformanceProfile CR options for single-node OpenShift clusters
PerformanceProfile CR field Description

metadata.name

Ensure that name matches the following fields set in related GitOps ZTP custom resources (CRs):

  • include=openshift-node-performance-${PerformanceProfile.metadata.name} in TunedPerformancePatch.yaml

  • name: 50-performance-${PerformanceProfile.metadata.name} in validatorCRs/informDuValidator.yaml

spec.additionalKernelArgs

"efi=runtime" Configures UEFI secure boot for the cluster host.

spec.cpu.isolated

Set the isolated CPUs. Ensure all of the Hyper-Threading pairs match.

The reserved and isolated CPU pools must not overlap and together must span all available cores. CPU cores that are not accounted for cause an undefined behaviour in the system.

spec.cpu.reserved

Set the reserved CPUs. When workload partitioning is enabled, system processes, kernel threads, and system container threads are restricted to these CPUs. All CPUs that are not isolated should be reserved.

spec.hugepages.pages

  • Set the number of huge pages (count)

  • Set the huge pages size (size).

  • Set node to the NUMA node where the hugepages are allocated (node)

spec.realTimeKernel

Set enabled to true to use the realtime kernel.

spec.workloadHints

Use workloadHints to define the set of top level flags for different type of workloads. The example configuration configures the cluster for low latency and high performance.

Configuring cluster time synchronization

Run a one-time system time synchronization job for control plane or worker nodes.

Recommended one time time-sync for control plane nodes (99-sync-time-once-master.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: master
  name: 99-sync-time-once-master
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
    systemd:
      units:
        - contents: |
            [Unit]
            Description=Sync time once
            After=network.service
            [Service]
            Type=oneshot
            TimeoutStartSec=300
            ExecStart=/usr/sbin/chronyd -n -f /etc/chrony.conf -q
            RemainAfterExit=yes
            [Install]
            WantedBy=multi-user.target
          enabled: true
          name: sync-time-once.service
Recommended one time time-sync for worker nodes (99-sync-time-once-worker.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: worker
  name: 99-sync-time-once-worker
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
    systemd:
      units:
        - contents: |
            [Unit]
            Description=Sync time once
            After=network.service
            [Service]
            Type=oneshot
            TimeoutStartSec=300
            ExecStart=/usr/sbin/chronyd -n -f /etc/chrony.conf -q
            RemainAfterExit=yes
            [Install]
            WantedBy=multi-user.target
          enabled: true
          name: sync-time-once.service

PTP

Single-node OpenShift clusters use Precision Time Protocol (PTP) for network time synchronization. The following example PtpConfig CRs illustrate the required PTP configurations for ordinary clocks, boundary clocks, and grandmaster clocks. The exact configuration you apply will depend on the node hardware and specific use case.

Recommended PTP ordinary clock configuration (PtpConfigSlave.yaml)
apiVersion: ptp.openshift.io/v1
kind: PtpConfig
metadata:
  name: slave
  namespace: openshift-ptp
  annotations: {}
spec:
  profile:
    - name: "slave"
      # The interface name is hardware-specific
      interface: $interface
      ptp4lOpts: "-2 -s"
      phc2sysOpts: "-a -r -n 24"
      ptpSchedulingPolicy: SCHED_FIFO
      ptpSchedulingPriority: 10
      ptpSettings:
        logReduce: "true"
      ptp4lConf: |
        [global]
        #
        # Default Data Set
        #
        twoStepFlag 1
        slaveOnly 1
        priority1 128
        priority2 128
        domainNumber 24
        #utc_offset 37
        clockClass 255
        clockAccuracy 0xFE
        offsetScaledLogVariance 0xFFFF
        free_running 0
        freq_est_interval 1
        dscp_event 0
        dscp_general 0
        dataset_comparison G.8275.x
        G.8275.defaultDS.localPriority 128
        #
        # Port Data Set
        #
        logAnnounceInterval -3
        logSyncInterval -4
        logMinDelayReqInterval -4
        logMinPdelayReqInterval -4
        announceReceiptTimeout 3
        syncReceiptTimeout 0
        delayAsymmetry 0
        fault_reset_interval -4
        neighborPropDelayThresh 20000000
        masterOnly 0
        G.8275.portDS.localPriority 128
        #
        # Run time options
        #
        assume_two_step 0
        logging_level 6
        path_trace_enabled 0
        follow_up_info 0
        hybrid_e2e 0
        inhibit_multicast_service 0
        net_sync_monitor 0
        tc_spanning_tree 0
        tx_timestamp_timeout 50
        unicast_listen 0
        unicast_master_table 0
        unicast_req_duration 3600
        use_syslog 1
        verbose 0
        summary_interval 0
        kernel_leap 1
        check_fup_sync 0
        clock_class_threshold 7
        #
        # Servo Options
        #
        pi_proportional_const 0.0
        pi_integral_const 0.0
        pi_proportional_scale 0.0
        pi_proportional_exponent -0.3
        pi_proportional_norm_max 0.7
        pi_integral_scale 0.0
        pi_integral_exponent 0.4
        pi_integral_norm_max 0.3
        step_threshold 2.0
        first_step_threshold 0.00002
        max_frequency 900000000
        clock_servo pi
        sanity_freq_limit 200000000
        ntpshm_segment 0
        #
        # Transport options
        #
        transportSpecific 0x0
        ptp_dst_mac 01:1B:19:00:00:00
        p2p_dst_mac 01:80:C2:00:00:0E
        udp_ttl 1
        udp6_scope 0x0E
        uds_address /var/run/ptp4l
        #
        # Default interface options
        #
        clock_type OC
        network_transport L2
        delay_mechanism E2E
        time_stamping hardware
        tsproc_mode filter
        delay_filter moving_median
        delay_filter_length 10
        egressLatency 0
        ingressLatency 0
        boundary_clock_jbod 0
        #
        # Clock description
        #
        productDescription ;;
        revisionData ;;
        manufacturerIdentity 00:00:00
        userDescription ;
        timeSource 0xA0
  recommend:
    - profile: "slave"
      priority: 4
      match:
        - nodeLabel: "node-role.kubernetes.io/$mcp"
Recommended boundary clock configuration (PtpConfigBoundary.yaml)
apiVersion: ptp.openshift.io/v1
kind: PtpConfig
metadata:
  name: boundary
  namespace: openshift-ptp
  annotations: {}
spec:
  profile:
    - name: "boundary"
      ptp4lOpts: "-2"
      phc2sysOpts: "-a -r -n 24"
      ptpSchedulingPolicy: SCHED_FIFO
      ptpSchedulingPriority: 10
      ptpSettings:
        logReduce: "true"
      ptp4lConf: |
        # The interface name is hardware-specific
        [$iface_slave]
        masterOnly 0
        [$iface_master_1]
        masterOnly 1
        [$iface_master_2]
        masterOnly 1
        [$iface_master_3]
        masterOnly 1
        [global]
        #
        # Default Data Set
        #
        twoStepFlag 1
        slaveOnly 0
        priority1 128
        priority2 128
        domainNumber 24
        #utc_offset 37
        clockClass 248
        clockAccuracy 0xFE
        offsetScaledLogVariance 0xFFFF
        free_running 0
        freq_est_interval 1
        dscp_event 0
        dscp_general 0
        dataset_comparison G.8275.x
        G.8275.defaultDS.localPriority 128
        #
        # Port Data Set
        #
        logAnnounceInterval -3
        logSyncInterval -4
        logMinDelayReqInterval -4
        logMinPdelayReqInterval -4
        announceReceiptTimeout 3
        syncReceiptTimeout 0
        delayAsymmetry 0
        fault_reset_interval -4
        neighborPropDelayThresh 20000000
        masterOnly 0
        G.8275.portDS.localPriority 128
        #
        # Run time options
        #
        assume_two_step 0
        logging_level 6
        path_trace_enabled 0
        follow_up_info 0
        hybrid_e2e 0
        inhibit_multicast_service 0
        net_sync_monitor 0
        tc_spanning_tree 0
        tx_timestamp_timeout 50
        unicast_listen 0
        unicast_master_table 0
        unicast_req_duration 3600
        use_syslog 1
        verbose 0
        summary_interval 0
        kernel_leap 1
        check_fup_sync 0
        clock_class_threshold 135
        #
        # Servo Options
        #
        pi_proportional_const 0.0
        pi_integral_const 0.0
        pi_proportional_scale 0.0
        pi_proportional_exponent -0.3
        pi_proportional_norm_max 0.7
        pi_integral_scale 0.0
        pi_integral_exponent 0.4
        pi_integral_norm_max 0.3
        step_threshold 2.0
        first_step_threshold 0.00002
        max_frequency 900000000
        clock_servo pi
        sanity_freq_limit 200000000
        ntpshm_segment 0
        #
        # Transport options
        #
        transportSpecific 0x0
        ptp_dst_mac 01:1B:19:00:00:00
        p2p_dst_mac 01:80:C2:00:00:0E
        udp_ttl 1
        udp6_scope 0x0E
        uds_address /var/run/ptp4l
        #
        # Default interface options
        #
        clock_type BC
        network_transport L2
        delay_mechanism E2E
        time_stamping hardware
        tsproc_mode filter
        delay_filter moving_median
        delay_filter_length 10
        egressLatency 0
        ingressLatency 0
        boundary_clock_jbod 0
        #
        # Clock description
        #
        productDescription ;;
        revisionData ;;
        manufacturerIdentity 00:00:00
        userDescription ;
        timeSource 0xA0
  recommend:
    - profile: "boundary"
      priority: 4
      match:
        - nodeLabel: "node-role.kubernetes.io/$mcp"
Recommended PTP Westport Channel e810 grandmaster clock configuration (PtpConfigGmWpc.yaml)
# The grandmaster profile is provided for testing only
# It is not installed on production clusters
apiVersion: ptp.openshift.io/v1
kind: PtpConfig
metadata:
  name: grandmaster
  namespace: openshift-ptp
  annotations: {}
spec:
  profile:
    - name: "grandmaster"
      ptp4lOpts: "-2 --summary_interval -4"
      phc2sysOpts: -r -u 0 -m -O -37 -N 8 -R 16 -s $iface_master -n 24
      ptpSchedulingPolicy: SCHED_FIFO
      ptpSchedulingPriority: 10
      ptpSettings:
        logReduce: "true"
      plugins:
        e810:
          enableDefaultConfig: false
          settings:
            LocalMaxHoldoverOffSet: 1500
            LocalHoldoverTimeout: 14400
            MaxInSpecOffset: 100
          pins: $e810_pins
          #  "$iface_master":
          #    "U.FL2": "0 2"
          #    "U.FL1": "0 1"
          #    "SMA2": "0 2"
          #    "SMA1": "0 1"
          ublxCmds:
            - args: #ubxtool -P 29.20 -z CFG-HW-ANT_CFG_VOLTCTRL,1
                - "-P"
                - "29.20"
                - "-z"
                - "CFG-HW-ANT_CFG_VOLTCTRL,1"
              reportOutput: false
            - args: #ubxtool -P 29.20 -e GPS
                - "-P"
                - "29.20"
                - "-e"
                - "GPS"
              reportOutput: false
            - args: #ubxtool -P 29.20 -d Galileo
                - "-P"
                - "29.20"
                - "-d"
                - "Galileo"
              reportOutput: false
            - args: #ubxtool -P 29.20 -d GLONASS
                - "-P"
                - "29.20"
                - "-d"
                - "GLONASS"
              reportOutput: false
            - args: #ubxtool -P 29.20 -d BeiDou
                - "-P"
                - "29.20"
                - "-d"
                - "BeiDou"
              reportOutput: false
            - args: #ubxtool -P 29.20 -d SBAS
                - "-P"
                - "29.20"
                - "-d"
                - "SBAS"
              reportOutput: false
            - args: #ubxtool -P 29.20 -t -w 5 -v 1 -e SURVEYIN,600,50000
                - "-P"
                - "29.20"
                - "-t"
                - "-w"
                - "5"
                - "-v"
                - "1"
                - "-e"
                - "SURVEYIN,600,50000"
              reportOutput: true
            - args: #ubxtool -P 29.20 -p MON-HW
                - "-P"
                - "29.20"
                - "-p"
                - "MON-HW"
              reportOutput: true
            - args: #ubxtool -P 29.20 -p CFG-MSG,1,38,300
                - "-P"
                - "29.20"
                - "-p"
                - "CFG-MSG,1,38,300"
              reportOutput: true
      ts2phcOpts: " "
      ts2phcConf: |
        [nmea]
        ts2phc.master 1
        [global]
        use_syslog  0
        verbose 1
        logging_level 7
        ts2phc.pulsewidth 100000000
        #GNSS module s /dev/ttyGNSS* -al use _0
        #cat /dev/ttyGNSS_1700_0 to find available serial port
        #example value of gnss_serialport is /dev/ttyGNSS_1700_0
        ts2phc.nmea_serialport $gnss_serialport
        leapfile  /usr/share/zoneinfo/leap-seconds.list
        [$iface_master]
        ts2phc.extts_polarity rising
        ts2phc.extts_correction 0
      ptp4lConf: |
        [$iface_master]
        masterOnly 1
        [$iface_master_1]
        masterOnly 1
        [$iface_master_2]
        masterOnly 1
        [$iface_master_3]
        masterOnly 1
        [global]
        #
        # Default Data Set
        #
        twoStepFlag 1
        priority1 128
        priority2 128
        domainNumber 24
        #utc_offset 37
        clockClass 6
        clockAccuracy 0x27
        offsetScaledLogVariance 0xFFFF
        free_running 0
        freq_est_interval 1
        dscp_event 0
        dscp_general 0
        dataset_comparison G.8275.x
        G.8275.defaultDS.localPriority 128
        #
        # Port Data Set
        #
        logAnnounceInterval -3
        logSyncInterval -4
        logMinDelayReqInterval -4
        logMinPdelayReqInterval 0
        announceReceiptTimeout 3
        syncReceiptTimeout 0
        delayAsymmetry 0
        fault_reset_interval -4
        neighborPropDelayThresh 20000000
        masterOnly 0
        G.8275.portDS.localPriority 128
        #
        # Run time options
        #
        assume_two_step 0
        logging_level 6
        path_trace_enabled 0
        follow_up_info 0
        hybrid_e2e 0
        inhibit_multicast_service 0
        net_sync_monitor 0
        tc_spanning_tree 0
        tx_timestamp_timeout 50
        unicast_listen 0
        unicast_master_table 0
        unicast_req_duration 3600
        use_syslog 1
        verbose 0
        summary_interval -4
        kernel_leap 1
        check_fup_sync 0
        clock_class_threshold 7
        #
        # Servo Options
        #
        pi_proportional_const 0.0
        pi_integral_const 0.0
        pi_proportional_scale 0.0
        pi_proportional_exponent -0.3
        pi_proportional_norm_max 0.7
        pi_integral_scale 0.0
        pi_integral_exponent 0.4
        pi_integral_norm_max 0.3
        step_threshold 2.0
        first_step_threshold 0.00002
        clock_servo pi
        sanity_freq_limit  200000000
        ntpshm_segment 0
        #
        # Transport options
        #
        transportSpecific 0x0
        ptp_dst_mac 01:1B:19:00:00:00
        p2p_dst_mac 01:80:C2:00:00:0E
        udp_ttl 1
        udp6_scope 0x0E
        uds_address /var/run/ptp4l
        #
        # Default interface options
        #
        clock_type BC
        network_transport L2
        delay_mechanism E2E
        time_stamping hardware
        tsproc_mode filter
        delay_filter moving_median
        delay_filter_length 10
        egressLatency 0
        ingressLatency 0
        boundary_clock_jbod 0
        #
        # Clock description
        #
        productDescription ;;
        revisionData ;;
        manufacturerIdentity 00:00:00
        userDescription ;
        timeSource 0x20
  recommend:
    - profile: "grandmaster"
      priority: 4
      match:
        - nodeLabel: "node-role.kubernetes.io/$mcp"

The following optional PtpOperatorConfig CR configures PTP events reporting for the node.

Recommended PTP events configuration (PtpOperatorConfigForEvent.yaml)
apiVersion: ptp.openshift.io/v1
kind: PtpOperatorConfig
metadata:
  name: default
  namespace: openshift-ptp
  annotations: {}
spec:
  daemonNodeSelector:
    node-role.kubernetes.io/$mcp: ""
  ptpEventConfig:
    enableEventPublisher: true
    transportHost: "http://ptp-event-publisher-service-NODE_NAME.openshift-ptp.svc.cluster.local:9043"

Extended Tuned profile

Single-node OpenShift clusters that run DU workloads require additional performance tuning configurations necessary for high-performance workloads. The following example Tuned CR extends the Tuned profile:

Recommended extended Tuned profile configuration (TunedPerformancePatch.yaml)
apiVersion: tuned.openshift.io/v1
kind: Tuned
metadata:
  name: performance-patch
  namespace: openshift-cluster-node-tuning-operator
  annotations: {}
spec:
  profile:
    - name: performance-patch
      # Please note:
      # - The 'include' line must match the associated PerformanceProfile name, following below pattern
      #   include=openshift-node-performance-${PerformanceProfile.metadata.name}
      # - When using the standard (non-realtime) kernel, remove the kernel.timer_migration override from
      #   the [sysctl] section and remove the entire section if it is empty.
      data: |
        [main]
        summary=Configuration changes profile inherited from performance created tuned
        include=openshift-node-performance-openshift-node-performance-profile
        [sysctl]
        kernel.timer_migration=1
        [scheduler]
        group.ice-ptp=0:f:10:*:ice-ptp.*
        group.ice-gnss=0:f:10:*:ice-gnss.*
        [service]
        service.stalld=start,enable
        service.chronyd=stop,disable
  recommend:
    - machineConfigLabels:
        machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: "$mcp"
      priority: 19
      profile: performance-patch
Table 4. Tuned CR options for single-node OpenShift clusters
Tuned CR field Description

spec.profile.data

  • The include line that you set in spec.profile.data must match the associated PerformanceProfile CR name. For example, include=openshift-node-performance-${PerformanceProfile.metadata.name}.

  • When using the non-realtime kernel, remove the timer_migration override line from the [sysctl] section.

SR-IOV

Single root I/O virtualization (SR-IOV) is commonly used to enable fronthaul and midhaul networks. The following YAML example configures SR-IOV for a single-node OpenShift cluster.

The configuration of the SriovNetwork CR will vary depending on your specific network and infrastructure requirements.
Recommended SriovOperatorConfig CR configuration (SriovOperatorConfig.yaml)
apiVersion: sriovnetwork.openshift.io/v1
kind: SriovOperatorConfig
metadata:
  name: default
  namespace: openshift-sriov-network-operator
  annotations: {}
spec:
  configDaemonNodeSelector:
    "node-role.kubernetes.io/$mcp": ""
  # Injector and OperatorWebhook pods can be disabled (set to "false") below
  # to reduce the number of management pods. It is recommended to start with the 
  # webhook and injector pods enabled, and only disable them after verifying the
  # correctness of user manifests.
  #   If the injector is disabled, containers using sr-iov resources must explicitly assign
  #   them in the  "requests"/"limits" section of the container spec, for example:
  #    containers:
  #    - name: my-sriov-workload-container
  #      resources:
  #        limits:
  #          openshift.io/<resource_name>:  "1"
  #        requests:
  #          openshift.io/<resource_name>:  "1"
  enableInjector: true
  enableOperatorWebhook: true
  logLevel: 0
Table 5. SriovOperatorConfig CR options for single-node OpenShift clusters
SriovOperatorConfig CR field Description

spec.enableInjector

Disable Injector pods to reduce the number of management pods. Start with the Injector pods enabled, and only disable them after verifying the user manifests. If the injector is disabled, containers that use SR-IOV resources must explicitly assign them in the requests and limits section of the container spec.

For example:

containers:
- name: my-sriov-workload-container
  resources:
    limits:
      openshift.io/<resource_name>:  "1"
    requests:
      openshift.io/<resource_name>:  "1"

spec.enableOperatorWebhook

Disable OperatorWebhook pods to reduce the number of management pods. Start with the OperatorWebhook pods enabled, and only disable them after verifying the user manifests.
Recommended SriovNetwork configuration (SriovNetwork.yaml)
apiVersion: sriovnetwork.openshift.io/v1
kind: SriovNetwork
metadata:
  name: ""
  namespace: openshift-sriov-network-operator
  annotations: {}
spec:
  #  resourceName: ""
  networkNamespace: openshift-sriov-network-operator
#  vlan: ""
#  spoofChk: ""
#  ipam: ""
#  linkState: ""
#  maxTxRate: ""
#  minTxRate: ""
#  vlanQoS: ""
#  trust: ""
#  capabilities: ""
Table 6. SriovNetwork CR options for single-node OpenShift clusters
SriovNetwork CR field Description

spec.vlan

Configure vlan with the VLAN for the midhaul network.
Recommended SriovNetworkNodePolicy CR configuration (SriovNetworkNodePolicy.yaml)
apiVersion: sriovnetwork.openshift.io/v1
kind: SriovNetworkNodePolicy
metadata:
  name: $name
  namespace: openshift-sriov-network-operator
  annotations: {}
spec:
  # The attributes for Mellanox/Intel based NICs as below.
  #     deviceType: netdevice/vfio-pci
  #     isRdma: true/false
  deviceType: $deviceType
  isRdma: $isRdma
  nicSelector:
    # The exact physical function name must match the hardware used
    pfNames: [$pfNames]
  nodeSelector:
    node-role.kubernetes.io/$mcp: ""
  numVfs: $numVfs
  priority: $priority
  resourceName: $resourceName
Table 7. SriovNetworkPolicy CR options for single-node OpenShift clusters
SriovNetworkNodePolicy CR field Description

spec.deviceType

Configure deviceType as vfio-pci or netdevice. For Mellanox NICs, set deviceType: netdevice, and isRdma: true. For Intel based NICs, set deviceType: vfio-pci and isRdma: false.

spec.nicSelector.pfNames

Specifies the interface connected to the fronthaul network.

spec.numVfs

Specifies the number of VFs for the fronthaul network.

spec.nicSelector.pfNames

The exact name of physical function must match the hardware.
Recommended SR-IOV kernel configurations (07-sriov-related-kernel-args-master.yaml)
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
metadata:
  labels:
    machineconfiguration.openshift.io/role: master
  name: 07-sriov-related-kernel-args-master
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.2.0
  kernelArguments:
    - intel_iommu=on
    - iommu=pt

Console Operator

Use the cluster capabilities feature to prevent the Console Operator from being installed. When the node is centrally managed it is not needed. Removing the Operator provides additional space and capacity for application workloads.

To disable the Console Operator during the installation of the managed cluster, set the following in the spec.clusters.0.installConfigOverrides field of the SiteConfig custom resource (CR):

installConfigOverrides:  "{\"capabilities\":{\"baselineCapabilitySet\": \"None\" }}"

Alertmanager

Single-node OpenShift clusters that run DU workloads require reduced CPU resources consumed by the OKD monitoring components. The following ConfigMap custom resource (CR) disables Alertmanager.

Recommended cluster monitoring configuration (ReduceMonitoringFootprint.yaml)
apiVersion: v1
kind: ConfigMap
metadata:
  name: cluster-monitoring-config
  namespace: openshift-monitoring
  annotations: {}
data:
  config.yaml: |
    grafana:
      enabled: false
    alertmanagerMain:
      enabled: false
    telemeterClient:
      enabled: false
    prometheusK8s:
       retention: 24h

Operator Lifecycle Manager

Single-node OpenShift clusters that run distributed unit workloads require consistent access to CPU resources. Operator Lifecycle Manager (OLM) collects performance data from Operators at regular intervals, resulting in an increase in CPU utilisation. The following ConfigMap custom resource (CR) disables the collection of Operator performance data by OLM.

Recommended cluster OLM configuration (ReduceOLMFootprint.yaml)
apiVersion: v1
kind: ConfigMap
metadata:
  name: collect-profiles-config
  namespace: openshift-operator-lifecycle-manager
data:
  pprof-config.yaml: |
    disabled: True

LVM Storage

You can dynamically provision local storage on single-node OpenShift clusters with Logical Volume Manager (LVM) Storage.

The recommended storage solution for single-node OpenShift is the Local Storage Operator. Alternatively, you can use LVM Storage but it requires additional CPU resources to be allocated.

The following YAML example configures the storage of the node to be available to OKD applications.

Recommended LVMCluster configuration (StorageLVMCluster.yaml)
apiVersion: lvm.topolvm.io/v1alpha1
kind: LVMCluster
metadata:
  name: odf-lvmcluster
  namespace: openshift-storage
spec:
  storage:
    deviceClasses:
    - name: vg1
      deviceSelector:
        paths:
        - /usr/disk/by-path/pci-0000:11:00.0-nvme-1
      thinPoolConfig:
        name: thin-pool-1
        overprovisionRatio: 10
        sizePercent: 90
Table 8. LVMCluster CR options for single-node OpenShift clusters
LVMCluster CR field Description

deviceSelector.paths

Configure the disks used for LVM storage. If no disks are specified, the LVM Storage uses all the unused disks in the specified thin pool.

Network diagnostics

Single-node OpenShift clusters that run DU workloads require less inter-pod network connectivity checks to reduce the additional load created by these pods. The following custom resource (CR) disables these checks.

Recommended network diagnostics configuration (DisableSnoNetworkDiag.yaml)
apiVersion: operator.openshift.io/v1
kind: Network
metadata:
  name: cluster
  annotations: {}
spec:
  disableNetworkDiagnostics: true
Additional resources