# Sankofa Phoenix — consolidated non-chain frontend and API hub

**Status:** Architecture proposal (resource conservation)  
**Last updated:** 2026-04-13  
**LAN status (operator):** Tier-1 API hub **nginx on VMID 7800** listening **`http://192.168.11.50:8080`** (`sankofa-phoenix-api-hub.service`). Apollo (Fastify) binds **`127.0.0.1:4000`** only (`HOST=127.0.0.1` in `/opt/sankofa-api/.env`; apply: `scripts/deployment/ensure-sankofa-phoenix-apollo-bind-loopback-7800.sh`). NPM → **:8080** + WebSocket upgrades is live for `phoenix.sankofa.nexus` (fleet 2026-04-13). Install hub: `scripts/deployment/install-sankofa-api-hub-nginx-on-pve.sh` with `PROXMOX_OPS_APPLY=1` + `PROXMOX_OPS_ALLOWED_VMIDS=7800`. Readiness: `scripts/verify/verify-sankofa-consolidated-hub-lan.sh`, hub GraphQL `scripts/verify/smoke-phoenix-api-hub-lan.sh`, WebSocket upgrade `scripts/verify/smoke-phoenix-graphql-wss-public.sh` (`pnpm run verify:phoenix-graphql-wss`), graphql-ws handshake `pnpm run verify:phoenix-graphql-ws-subscription`, hub `/graphql-ws` headers `scripts/deployment/ensure-sankofa-phoenix-api-hub-graphql-ws-proxy-headers-7800.sh`.

**r630-01 load goal:** consolidating frontends and **moving hub LXCs** to quieter nodes is what reduces guest count and hypervisor pressure — see [SANKOFA_R630_01_CONSOLIDATION_AND_HUB_PLACEMENT_GOAL.md](../03-deployment/SANKOFA_R630_01_CONSOLIDATION_AND_HUB_PLACEMENT_GOAL.md).

**Ecosystem shape (non-chain, hyperscaler-style):** [NON_CHAIN_ECOSYSTEM_HYPERSCALER_STYLE_MODEL.md](./NON_CHAIN_ECOSYSTEM_HYPERSCALER_STYLE_MODEL.md) (cell types, edge vs chain plane).

**Scope:** Non-blockchain Sankofa / Phoenix surfaces only. **Out of scope:** Chain 138 explorer, Besu/RPC, CCIP/relayers, token-aggregation compute — keep those on dedicated LXCs/VMs per existing runbooks.

---

## 1. Problem

Today, multiple LXCs/VMIDs often run **one primary workload each** (portal, corporate web, Phoenix API, DBIS API, gov dev shells, etc.). Each Node or Next process carries **base RAM** (V8 heap, file watchers in dev, separate copies of dependencies). Nginx-only static sites are cheap; **many separate Node servers are not**.

This document defines a **consolidated runtime** that:

1. Puts **all non-chain web frontends** behind **one LAN endpoint** (one LXC or one Docker host — your choice), using **static-first** or **one Node process** where SSR is required.
2. Puts **all Phoenix-facing backend traffic** behind **one logical API** (one public origin and port): GraphQL (current Phoenix), REST/BFF (`dbis_core` and future middleware), health, and webhooks.

Canonical surface taxonomy remains [SANKOFA_PHOENIX_CANONICAL_BOUNDARIES_AND_TAXONOMY.md](./SANKOFA_PHOENIX_CANONICAL_BOUNDARIES_AND_TAXONOMY.md). Consolidation changes **packaging**, not the names of visitor vs client vs operator paths.

---

## 2. Single “web hub” LXC (frontends)

### 2.1 Option A — Static-first (lowest RAM)

**When:** Marketing pages, IRU/marketplace **after** static export, simple entity microsites, post-login SPAs that call the API hub only.

- Build: `next build` with `output: 'export'` **where compatible** (no server-only APIs on those routes).
- Serve: **nginx** with one `server` per FQDN (`server_name`) or one server + `map $host $site_root` → different `root` directories under `/var/www/...`.
- **NPM:** All affected FQDNs point to the **same** upstream `http://<WEB_HUB_IP>:80`.

**Tradeoff:** NextAuth / OIDC callback flows and server components need either **client-only OIDC** (PKCE) against Keycloak or a **small** SSR slice (see option B).

### 2.2 Option B — One Node process for all SSR Next apps (moderate RAM)

**When:** Portal (`portal.sankofa.nexus`), admin, or any app that must keep `getServerSideProps`, NextAuth, or middleware.

- **Monorepo** (e.g. Turborepo/Nx): multiple Next “apps” merged into **one deployable** using:
  - **Next multi-zone** (primary + mounted sub-apps), or
  - **Single Next 15 app** with `middleware.ts` rewriting by `Host`, or
  - **Single custom server** (less ideal) proxying to child apps — avoid unless necessary.

**Outcome:** One `node` process (or one `standalone` output + one PID supervisor) on **one port** (e.g. 3000). Nginx in front optional (TLS termination usually at NPM).

### 2.3 Option C — Hybrid (practical migration)

- **nginx:** static corporate apex, static entity sites, docs mirrors.
- **One Node:** portal + Phoenix “shell” that must stay dynamic.

Still **fewer** LXCs than “one LXC per microsite.”

### 2.4 What stays out of this box

- Blockscout / explorer stacks  
- `info.defi-oracle.io`, MEV GUI, relay health — separate nginx LXCs as today unless you explicitly merge **static** mirrors only  
- Keycloak — **keep separate** (identity is its own security domain)

---

## 3. Single consolidated API (Phoenix hub)

### 3.1 Responsibilities

| Path family | Today (typical) | Hub role |
|-------------|-----------------|----------|
| `/graphql`, `/graphql-ws` | Phoenix VMID 7800 :4000 | **Reverse proxy** to existing Apollo until merged in code |
| `/api/v1/*`, `/api-docs` | `dbis_core` (e.g. :3000) | **Reverse proxy** mount |
| `/health` | Multiple | **Aggregate** (optional): hub returns 200 only if subgraphs pass |
| Future BFF | N/A | **Implement in hub** (session, composition, rate limits) |

**Naming:** Introduce an internal service name e.g. `sankofa-phoenix-hub-api`. Public FQDN can remain `phoenix.sankofa.nexus` or split to `api.phoenix.sankofa.nexus` for clarity; NPM decides.

### 3.2 Implementation tiers (phased)

**Tier 1 — Thin hub (fastest, lowest risk)**  
One process: **nginx** or **Caddy**. **Typical production pattern:** hub on its own LXC or same CT as Apollo — `proxy_pass` Phoenix to **`127.0.0.1:4000`** when colocated, and `dbis_core` to **`IP_DBIS_API:3000`** (LAN) as in `install-sankofa-api-hub-nginx-on-pve.sh`. **Single public port** (e.g. 443 behind NPM → **8080** on the hub). Before NPM sends public traffic to the hub, validate **`TRUST_PROXY`** and trusted proxy hops for `dbis_core` (see [NON_CHAIN_ECOSYSTEM_PLAN_REVIEW_AND_GAPS.md](./NON_CHAIN_ECOSYSTEM_PLAN_REVIEW_AND_GAPS.md) §2.1).

**Tier 2 — Application hub**  
Single **Node** (Fastify/Express) app: validates JWT once, applies rate limits, `proxy` to subgraphs, adds **BFF** routes (`/bff/portal/...`).

**Tier 3 — Monolith (long-term)**  
Merge routers and schema into one codebase — only after boundaries and ownership are clear.

### 3.3 Middleware cross-cutting

Centralize in the hub:

- **CORS** allowlist (origins = web hub FQDNs only)  
- **Rate limiting** (especially IRU public POST — align with `dbis_core` **`TRUST_PROXY=1`** and a **trusted proxy list** that includes NPM and this hub’s LAN IP, or rate limits see only the hub)  
- **Request ID** propagation  
- **mTLS** or IP allowlist for operator-only routes (optional)

---

## 4. NPM and inventory

After cutover:

- **Fewer distinct upstream IPs** in NPM (many FQDNs can point at the **same** `IP:port`); NPM may still use **one proxy host record per FQDN** for TLS—equivalent to one ALB with many listener rules, not literally one row total. Host-based routing then lives in **web hub** nginx (`server_name` / `map`) or in **Next** `middleware.ts`.
- Update [ALL_VMIDS_ENDPOINTS.md](../04-configuration/ALL_VMIDS_ENDPOINTS.md) and `get_host_for_vmid` in `scripts/lib/load-project-env.sh` when VMIDs are **retired** or **replaced** by hub VMIDs.
- **`config/ip-addresses.conf`** defines optional hub variables that **default to the current discrete CT IPs** (`IP_SANKOFA_WEB_HUB` → portal IP, `IP_SANKOFA_PHOENIX_API_HUB` → Phoenix API IP). Override in `.env` when hub LXCs exist.

---

## 5. Concrete file references in this repo

| Artifact | Purpose |
|----------|---------|
| [config/nginx/sankofa-non-chain-frontends.example.conf](../../config/nginx/sankofa-non-chain-frontends.example.conf) | Example **host → static root** nginx for web hub |
| [config/nginx/sankofa-phoenix-api-hub.example.conf](../../config/nginx/sankofa-phoenix-api-hub.example.conf) | Example **path → upstream** for API hub (Tier 1); tune `upstream` to LAN or `127.0.0.1` when colocated |
| [config/nginx/sankofa-hub-main.example.conf](../../config/nginx/sankofa-hub-main.example.conf) | Top-level `nginx.conf` for web hub CT (`-c` for systemd) |
| [config/nginx/sankofa-api-hub-main.example.conf](../../config/nginx/sankofa-api-hub-main.example.conf) | Top-level `nginx.conf` for API hub CT |
| [config/systemd/sankofa-non-chain-web-hub-nginx.service.example](../../config/systemd/sankofa-non-chain-web-hub-nginx.service.example) | systemd unit for web hub nginx |
| [config/systemd/sankofa-phoenix-api-hub-nginx.service.example](../../config/systemd/sankofa-phoenix-api-hub-nginx.service.example) | systemd unit for API hub nginx |
| [config/compose/sankofa-consolidated-runtime.example.yml](../../config/compose/sankofa-consolidated-runtime.example.yml) | Optional Docker Compose sketch (API hub container only) |
| [scripts/verify/check-sankofa-consolidated-nginx-examples.sh](../../scripts/verify/check-sankofa-consolidated-nginx-examples.sh) | **`nginx -t`** on example snippets (host `nginx` or **Docker** fallback) |
| [scripts/deployment/plan-sankofa-consolidated-hub-cutover.sh](../../scripts/deployment/plan-sankofa-consolidated-hub-cutover.sh) | Read-only cutover reminder + resolved env from `load-project-env.sh` |
| [scripts/deployment/install-sankofa-api-hub-nginx-on-pve.sh](../../scripts/deployment/install-sankofa-api-hub-nginx-on-pve.sh) | Tier-1 hub install on CT (`--dry-run` / `--apply` + `PROXMOX_OPS_*`) |
| [scripts/verify/verify-sankofa-consolidated-hub-lan.sh](../../scripts/verify/verify-sankofa-consolidated-hub-lan.sh) | Read-only LAN smoke (Phoenix, portal, dbis `/health`, Keycloak realm) |

---

## 6. Operator cutover checklist (complete in order)

1. Run `bash scripts/verify/check-sankofa-consolidated-nginx-examples.sh` (CI or laptop).
2. Provision **one** non-chain web hub LXC and/or **one** API hub LXC (or colocate nginx on an existing CT — document the choice).
3. Copy and edit nginx snippets from `config/nginx/` into `/etc/sankofa-web-hub/` and `/etc/sankofa-phoenix-api-hub/` per systemd examples; install **systemd** units from `config/systemd/*.example` (drop `.example`, adjust paths).
4. Set **`.env`** overrides: `IP_SANKOFA_WEB_HUB`, `SANKOFA_WEB_HUB_PORT`, `IP_SANKOFA_PHOENIX_API_HUB`, `SANKOFA_PHOENIX_API_HUB_PORT` (see `plan-sankofa-consolidated-hub-cutover.sh` output after `source scripts/lib/load-project-env.sh`).
5. **Dry-run** NPM upstream changes; then apply during a maintenance window. Confirm **WebSocket** (GraphQL subscriptions) through NPM if clients use `graphql-ws`.
6. Smoke: `curl -fsS http://<API_HUB>:<PORT>/health`, GraphQL POST to `/graphql`, **`dbis_core`** health via hub as **`GET /api-docs`** or **`GET /health`** on upstream `:3000` through `/api/` only if mounted there — simplest: `curl` **`http://<hub>:<port>/api-docs`** (proxied) per [NON_CHAIN_ECOSYSTEM_PLAN_REVIEW_AND_GAPS.md](./NON_CHAIN_ECOSYSTEM_PLAN_REVIEW_AND_GAPS.md) §2.4.
7. Update inventory docs and VMID table; decommission retired CTs only after rollback window. Optionally **bind Apollo to 127.0.0.1:4000** or firewall **:4000** from LAN once NPM uses hub only ([NON_CHAIN_ECOSYSTEM_PLAN_REVIEW_AND_GAPS.md](./NON_CHAIN_ECOSYSTEM_PLAN_REVIEW_AND_GAPS.md) §2.5).

---

## 7. Related docs

- [SANKOFA_PHOENIX_CANONICAL_BOUNDARIES_AND_TAXONOMY.md](./SANKOFA_PHOENIX_CANONICAL_BOUNDARIES_AND_TAXONOMY.md)  
- [SANKOFA_MARKETPLACE_SURFACES.md](../03-deployment/SANKOFA_MARKETPLACE_SURFACES.md)  
- [ENTITY_INSTITUTIONS_WEB_PORTAL_COMPLETION.md](../03-deployment/ENTITY_INSTITUTIONS_WEB_PORTAL_COMPLETION.md)  
- [SERVICE_DESCRIPTIONS.md](./SERVICE_DESCRIPTIONS.md)  
- [NON_CHAIN_ECOSYSTEM_PLAN_REVIEW_AND_GAPS.md](./NON_CHAIN_ECOSYSTEM_PLAN_REVIEW_AND_GAPS.md) (gaps, inconsistencies, P0/P1 backlog)

---

## 8. Decision log (fill when adopted)

| Decision | Choice | Date |
|----------|--------|------|
| Web hub pattern | **TBD** (interim: discrete CTs; target: A / B / C) | |
| API hub Tier | **1** (nginx on VMID 7800, LAN 2026-04-13) | 2026-04-13 |
| Public API hostname | phoenix.sankofa.nexus (NPM → **8080** hub; Apollo **127.0.0.1:4000**) | 2026-04-13 |
| Retired VMIDs | none | |