Migrating and Modernizing Drupal for a Leading E-Commerce Retailer on Azure Kubernetes

Introduction:

Our client, a well-known E-Commerce retailer, faced challenges with their on-premises Drupal environment, including limited scalability, high operational costs, and complex resource management. Hosted on aging infrastructure, their Drupal-based platform encountered frequent performance issues, struggled with peak traffic, and incurred excessive expenses. They engaged Texple Technologies to modernize, secure, and optimize their environment. Leveraging Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), GitLab for CI/CD, and advanced monitoring tools, we provided a cost-efficient, scalable, and secure solution that empowered the client to meet their evolving needs with agility.

 

Requirements:

The client’s objectives included:

• Migrating their on-premises Drupal environment to a scalable, resilient cloud infrastructure on Azure.
• Establishing a CI/CD pipeline using GitLab, with branching strategies for streamlined deployments and efficient version control.
• Enhancing security through DevSecOps practices, code quality checks with SonarQube, and SSL management.
• Implementing cost-optimization techniques, including automated start/stop logic for resources.
• Proactively monitoring infrastructure health and performance using Prometheus and Grafana.
• Ensuring robust security with firewalls, encryption, and automated certificate renewals.
• Maintaining high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR) capabilities.
• Conducting regular smoke and mock drill tests every quarter to validate system resilience and readiness.

 

Challenges:

The existing infrastructure presented several challenges:

1. Scalability Constraints: On-premises servers struggled with peak loads, leading to slow response times and occasional downtime during high-traffic periods.
2. Security Gaps: The client required heightened security standards, including SSL certificate renewals, periodic vulnerability testing, and DevSecOps integration.
3. Cost Control: Rising on-premises infrastructure and maintenance costs necessitated a move to a more efficient, cloud-based solution.
4. Complex Infrastructure Management: Frequent updates, server maintenance, and scaling requirements made operations cumbersome and resource-intensive.
5. Monitoring Limitations: Lack of proactive monitoring and real-time alerts created delays in addressing performance and security issues.

 

Solution:

Our team at Texple Technologies developed and implemented a comprehensive cloud solution on Azure, leveraging AKS for scalability, GitLab for CI/CD, SonarQube for code quality, and other essential Azure tools. Key components of our solution included:

1. Environment Migration and Setup on AKS:

• We containerized the Drupal application and migrated it to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), enabling seamless autoscaling based on demand, reducing costs, and eliminating performance bottlenecks.
• Configured AKS clusters with separate node pools to handle different workloads, enabling efficient resource allocation.

2. CI/CD Pipeline with GitLab:

• Implemented structured GitLab branching strategies to support isolated environments for development, QA, staging, and production:
  • Environment Branches: dev, qa, uat, prod
  • Feature Branches: feature/<feature_name or ticket_id>
  • Bug Fix Branches: bug/<ticket_id>
  • Hotfix Branches: hotfix/<ticket_id>
• Configured automated CI/CD pipelines to build, test, and deploy code changes seamlessly across environments, reducing manual intervention and deployment time.

3. DevSecOps and Security Hardening:

• Integrated SonarQube for code quality and vulnerability assessments, ensuring each code deployment met security and quality standards.
• Managed SSL certificate renewals and enabled firewall rules for restricted access, securing the application and its data.
• Conducted regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing (VAPT) to detect and remediate potential security threats.

4. Monitoring and Proactive Alerts with Grafana and Prometheus:

• Configured Prometheus and Grafana for comprehensive monitoring of application performance, resource utilization, and system health.
• Created custom dashboards per client requirements and set up real-time alerts via WhatsApp, SMS, and email using Twilio, notifying both the client and our team to maintain system stability and reduce downtime.

5. Cost Optimization Strategies:

• Implemented resource start/stop logic to automatically suspend idle instances during non-peak hours, resulting in significant cost savings.
• Used Azure Reserved Instances and optimized resource allocation through Azure Cost Management, reducing expenses by up to 30%.
• Conducted regular infrastructure assessments and rightsizing to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent unnecessary costs.

6. High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR):

• Deployed a robust HA/DR strategy, maintaining secondary failover instances and regular automated backup schedules.
• Conducted quarterly smoke tests and mock disaster recovery drills, ensuring the system remains resilient under potential failure scenarios.

7. OS-Level Security Patching and Vulnerability Management:

To maintain security compliance and stability, we implemented automated OS patching and updates across all containerized and non-containerized resources in the Azure environment. This included:

• Automated Patch Management: Configured automated patching for the OS of both container nodes in AKS and other VM-based resources using Azure Automation Update Management, ensuring that all critical updates and security patches were applied promptly without manual intervention.
• Version Control and Upgrade Strategy: Regularly updated underlying OS versions and dependencies to mitigate security vulnerabilities and ensure compatibility with application requirements.
• Vulnerability Testing and Assessment: Conducted periodic vulnerability assessments, including OS-level security scanning, to identify and resolve potential issues proactively. Utilized Azure Security Center and integrated vulnerability assessment tools for comprehensive scanning and remediation.
• Compliance and Audit Readiness: Maintained logs of all updates, patching activities, and security fixes for compliance reporting and audit requirements, ensuring that the environment met industry security standards and best practices.

 

Approach:

Our phased approach ensured a smooth and effective migration and implementation:

1. Assessment and Planning: Evaluated the existing on-premises infrastructure, analyzed resource usage, and identified areas for improvement and security gaps.
2. Containerization and AKS Deployment: Dockerized the Drupal application and configured AKS clusters for demand-based scaling, load balancing, and isolated workload management.
3. CI/CD and GitLab Setup: Established GitLab CI/CD pipelines and branching strategies, aligning the repository structure with the client’s deployment requirements.
4. Security Implementation: Applied DevSecOps standards, SSL management, and regular security assessments to protect the application from vulnerabilities.
5. OS-Level Security and Maintenance : Stage, focusing on proactive system health and security
   • Automated Patching Setup: Implemented Azure Automation and configured update schedules for OS-level patching, ensuring minimal disruption during non-peak hours.
   • OS Security Vulnerability Management: Integrated vulnerability scanning and reporting mechanisms, establishing a clear workflow for patching, version updates, and incident management to maintain system integrity.
6. Monitoring Integration: Set up Prometheus and Grafana for real-time monitoring and custom alerting, enabling proactive issue resolution and enhanced operational insights.

 

Services Implemented:

• AKS for Containerized Scaling: Autoscaling and optimized resource allocation on AKS to handle variable traffic loads.
• GitLab CI/CD and Branching: Streamlined deployments with a structured GitLab repository and environment-specific branching strategies.
• SonarQube and DevSecOps: Ensured code quality and security with automated code reviews, vulnerability scans, and SSL management.
• Prometheus and Grafana Monitoring: Real-time alerts and custom Grafana dashboards for proactive issue resolution.
• Azure Automation for OS Patching and Maintenance: Enabled scheduled and automated OS patching across all critical infrastructure to ensure system stability and security.
• Vulnerability Management Tools: Utilized Azure Security Center and additional vulnerability assessment tools to identify and remediate OS-level threats, minimizing potential attack vectors.
• Cost Optimization Techniques: Implemented start/stop logic and Azure Reserved Instances for efficient cost management.
• High Availability and Disaster Recovery: Maintained system resilience with failover support and quarterly recovery testing.

 

Benefits Achieved:

Our solution brought measurable improvements in both performance and cost-efficiency:

• Enhanced Scalability: AKS autoscaling enabled the client to meet variable demands smoothly, without performance issues.
• Stronger Security Standards: DevSecOps practices ensured continuous security monitoring, compliance, and SSL certificate management.
• Streamlined Deployment: GitLab CI/CD pipelines and branching strategies reduced deployment time, enhancing productivity and reliability.
• Significant Cost Reduction: Optimized configurations and cost-saving techniques resulted in a 30% reduction in operational costs.
• Enhanced System Security: With automated OS patching and proactive vulnerability management, the client’s infrastructure achieved a heightened level of security, reducing the risk of exploits.
• Improved Compliance and Audit Readiness: Automated patch management and comprehensive security logging ensured compliance with industry standards and readiness for periodic security audits.
• Minimized Downtime: By automating patching during low-traffic periods, we minimized operational interruptions, providing a stable and secure environment for the client.
• Improved Monitoring and Incident Response: Real-time alerts through Twilio integrations minimized downtime and ensured rapid issue resolution.
• Higher Client Satisfaction: With enhanced uptime, quick response times, and consistent security, the client enjoyed a smooth, reliable experience.

 

Conclusion:

This project with the E-Commerce retailer highlights the value of migrating Drupal to Azure Kubernetes Service, combined with a robust GitLab CI/CD framework and security-first approach. Our optimized solution empowered the client to scale dynamically, reduce operational costs, and maintain a high level of security and resilience. By continuously monitoring, fine-tuning, and testing the environment, Texple Technologies ensured that the client’s platform was well-equipped to support future growth, setting a strong foundation for ongoing success in the competitive E-Commerce industry.