Mini Data Center Simulator using Docker & Azure

Overview

This project demonstrates how I built a Mini Data Center using Docker, Docker Compose, and an Azure Ubuntu VM.
The setup replicates the functionality of a small-scale datacenter with essential services:

• Nginx (Web server)
• MySQL (Database)
• Nextcloud (File hosting platform)
• Grafana (Monitoring and visualization)

The goal was to gain hands-on experience with datacenter concepts, containerization, networking, and cloud deployment, while also building a portfolio project.

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Motivation

• I underwent one month of training in the Data Center domain.
• To apply what I learned, I explored containerization technologies such as Docker and Docker Compose.
• I experimented with different configurations on Docker Desktop (Windows).
• Some services failed to pull on Windows due to DNS/registry issues.
• To solve this, I deployed the setup on a Linux VM in Azure, which provided a native and more stable environment.

This transition not only fixed issues but also gave me exposure to cloud infrastructure.

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Prerequisite

• Azure account or you can use personal laptop to work on least minimum hardware resourse also it will work
• yaml file for docker-compose

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Architecture

Below is the architecture diagram of the Mini Data Center setup:

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Services

1. Nginx (Web Server)

• Runs on port 8080.
• Hosts static web content from the html folder.
• Demonstrates how web servers deliver applications inside a datacenter.

2. MySQL (Database)

• Containerized MySQL 8 server.
• Configured with root password, user, and application database.
• Provides backend storage for applications like Nextcloud.

3. Nextcloud (File Hosting)

• Runs on port 8081.
• Provides cloud storage and collaboration platform.
• Connected to MySQL database for persistent storage.
• Simulates internal enterprise file sharing in a datacenter.

4. Grafana (Monitoring)

• Runs on port 3000.
• Provides monitoring dashboards.
• Can connect to multiple data sources (including MySQL).
• Essential for observing system health and metrics.

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Docker Compose File

The entire setup is defined in a single docker-compose.yml file:

services:
  web:
    image: nginx:latest
    container_name: web-server
    ports:
      - "8080:80"
    volumes:
      - ./html:/usr/share/nginx/html:ro
    networks:
      - datacenter

  db:
    image: mysql:8
    container_name: mysql-db
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: rootpass
      MYSQL_DATABASE: appdb
      MYSQL_USER: appuser
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: apppass
    volumes:
      - db_data:/var/lib/mysql
    networks:
      - datacenter

  file:
    image: nextcloud
    container_name: nextcloud
    ports:
      - "8081:80"
    volumes:
      - nextcloud_data:/var/www/html
    networks:
      - datacenter
    depends_on:
      - db

  grafana:
    image: grafana/grafana
    container_name: grafana
    ports:
      - "3000:3000"
    environment:
      - GF_SECURITY_ADMIN_USER=admin
      - GF_SECURITY_ADMIN_PASSWORD=admin
    networks:
      - datacenter

volumes:
  db_data:
  nextcloud_data:

networks:
  datacenter:
    driver: bridge

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Steps to Deploy

1. Provision an Azure VM

   • Create Ubuntu Server VM on Azure.
   • Assign a public IP.
   • SSH into the VM.

2. Install Docker & Docker Compose

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install -y docker.io docker-compose
   sudo systemctl enable docker

3. Copy project files

   • Upload docker-compose.yml and html/ directory to VM.

4. Run the project

   docker-compose up -d

5. Configure Firewall (UFW)

   sudo ufw allow 8080
   sudo ufw allow 8081
   sudo ufw allow 3000
   sudo ufw enable

6. Access Services

   • http://<vm-ip>:8080 → Nginx
   • http://<vm-ip>:8081 → Nextcloud
   • http://<vm-ip>:3000 → Grafana

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Conclusion

This project replicates the foundation of a real datacenter environment.
I have successfully demonstrated skills in containerization, networking, databases, cloud hosting, and monitoring.
Perfect as both a learning exercise and a portfolio project to showcase applied DevOps and datacenter knowledge.