How to Install GitLab: A Step-by-Step Guide

GitLab is an all-in-one DevOps platform that offers source code management, continuous integration (CI), and other development tools. This guide will walk you through installing GitLab on your server.

Prerequisites

• A server with at least 4GB of RAM.
• Root access to the server.
• Basic knowledge of command line operations.

Step 1: Update and Install Dependencies

First, update the package repository and install dependencies:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
sudo apt-get install -y curl openssh-server ca-certificates

Install Postfix to send notification emails:

sudo apt-get install -y postfix

During installation, select ‘Internet Site’ and set your server’s email domain.

Step 2: Add the GitLab Repository

To install GitLab, add its official repository:

curl -sS https://packages.gitlab.com/install/repositories/gitlab/gitlab-ce/script.deb.sh | sudo bash

Step 3: Install GitLab

Install GitLab Community Edition:

sudo apt-get install gitlab-ce

After installation, configure GitLab by editing:

sudo nano /etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb

Change the external URL to your domain or server IP:

external_url 'http://yourdomain.com'

Step 4: Configure GitLab

Reconfigure GitLab to apply the changes:

sudo gitlab-ctl reconfigure

Launch GitLab in a browser with the domain or IP you provided.

Troubleshooting

If there are issues accessing GitLab, check the firewall settings or consult the GitLab documentation (Official site).

Conclusion

Following these steps, you should have a fully operational GitLab instance. Ensure regular updates and backups to maintain your system’s performance and security. Consider exploring additional features like GitLab CI/CD to enhance your DevOps pipeline.

Optimizing Your Setup

For advanced configuration, consider integrating how to configure Jenkins jobs for extended CI capabilities.

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Dorian Kane

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