Understand the automated deployment and setup process in UMH’s Device &
Container Infrastructure.
The Device & Container Infrastructure in the United Manufacturing Hub automates
the deployment and setup of the data infrastructure in various environments. It
is tailored for Edge deployments, particularly in Demilitarized Zones, to minimize
latency on-premise, and also extends into the Cloud to harness its functionalities.
It consists of several interconnected components:
Provisioning Server: Manages the initial bootstrapping of devices,
including iPXE configuration and ignition file distribution.
Flatcar Image Server: A central repository hosting various versions of
Flatcar Container Linux images, ensuring easy access and version control.
Customized iPXE: A specialized bootloader configured to streamline the
initial boot process by fetching UMH-specific settings and configurations.
First and Second Stage Flatcar OS: A two-stage operating system setup where
the first stage is a temporary OS used for installing the second stage, which
is the final operating system equipped with specific configurations and tools.
Installation Script: An automated script hosted at management.umh.app,
responsible for setting up and configuring the Kubernetes environment.
Kubernetes (k3s): A lightweight Kubernetes setup that forms the backbone
of the container orchestration system.
This infrastructure ensures a streamlined, automated installation process, laying
a robust foundation for the United Manufacturing Hub’s operation.