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How to Install GitLab CE on Ubuntu 22.04: A Beginner’s Guide

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Installing GitLab CE on Ubuntu 22.04 might seem a bit challenging, but it’s totally doable, even for beginners. GitLab CE (Community Edition) is a powerful tool for managing your code repositories, and having it on your own server gives you full control. This guide will take you through each step to get GitLab CE up and running on your Ubuntu 22.04 server.

Key Takeaways

  • Setting up your Ubuntu server properly is the first step to a smooth GitLab installation.
  • Installing the necessary dependencies ensures GitLab runs without issues.
  • Adding the GitLab repository correctly is crucial for accessing the latest version.
  • Running the installation command and setting the external URL are key steps in the process.
  • Testing and maintaining your GitLab instance ensures it continues to run smoothly.

Setting Up Your Ubuntu 22.04 Server

Updating System Packages

First things first, let’s make sure your system is up-to-date. Open your terminal and run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

These commands will update the list of available packages and their versions, and then install the newest versions of all packages currently installed on your system. Keeping your system updated is crucial for security and performance.

Configuring a Static IP Address

A static IP address ensures that your server’s IP address won’t change, which is important for consistent access. To set a static IP, you’ll need to edit the netplan configuration file. Open the file with:

sudo nano /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml

Add the following configuration, replacing the placeholders with your actual network details:

network:
  version: 2
  ethernets:
    eth0:
      dhcp4: no
      addresses:
        - 192.168.1.100/24
      gateway4: 192.168.1.1
      nameservers:
        addresses:
          - 8.8.8.8
          - 8.8.4.4

Apply the changes with:

sudo netplan apply

Enabling SSH Access

SSH allows you to connect to your server remotely. To enable SSH, you need to install the OpenSSH server. Run the following command:

sudo apt install openssh-server -y

Once installed, start and enable the SSH service:

sudo systemctl start ssh
sudo systemctl enable ssh

To enhance security, consider changing the default SSH port from 22 to something else. Open the SSH configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Find the line that says #Port 22 and change it to a port of your choice, for example, Port 2425. Save the file and restart the SSH service:

sudo systemctl restart ssh

With these steps, your server is now ready for the GitLab installation. You’ve updated your system, set a static IP, and enabled secure remote access.

Installing Required Dependencies

Before you can install GitLab CE, you need to set up some essential dependencies on your Ubuntu 22.04 server. This step ensures that all necessary tools and libraries are available for a smooth installation process.

Installing curl and OpenSSH

First, you need to install curl and OpenSSH. These tools are crucial for downloading files and enabling secure remote access to your server.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y curl openssh-server

Curl helps you download files from the internet, while OpenSSH allows you to connect to your server securely.

Setting Up Postfix for Email Notifications

GitLab uses email notifications to keep you updated on various activities. To enable this feature, you need to install and configure Postfix.

sudo apt-get install -y postfix

During the installation, select ‘Internet Site’ and press Enter to confirm the hostname. This setup will allow your server to send emails.

Make sure to configure Postfix correctly to avoid any email delivery issues.

Installing ca-certificates and tzdata

Finally, you need to install ca-certificates and tzdata. These packages ensure that your server can handle SSL certificates and manage time zones correctly.

sudo apt-get install -y ca-certificates tzdata

With these dependencies installed, your server is now ready for the next steps in the GitLab CE installation process.

Adding the GitLab Repository

Downloading the Repository Script

First, we need to download the GitLab repository script. This script will handle adding the necessary repository to your system. Open your terminal and run the following command:

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

This command fetches the script and runs it with superuser permissions. Make sure you have curl installed before running this command.

Running the Script to Add Repository

Once the script is downloaded, it will automatically add the GitLab repository to your system. This step is crucial as it ensures you get the latest version of GitLab CE. The script will also update your package list to include the new repository.

Verifying the Repository Addition

After running the script, you should verify that the repository has been added correctly. You can do this by checking your sources list. Run the following command to see if the GitLab repository is listed:

cat /etc/apt/sources.list.d/gitlab_gitlab-ce.list

If you see an entry for GitLab, then the repository has been added successfully. Now, you’re ready to install GitLab CE on your system.

Installing GitLab CE

Running the GitLab Installation Command

First, let’s get GitLab installed. Open your terminal and run the following command:

sudo EXTERNAL_URL="http://your_domain_or_IP" apt install gitlab-ce

Replace your_domain_or_IP with your actual domain name or IP address. This command will download and install the GitLab package. Make sure your server has enough space as the package is quite large.

Setting the External URL

After the installation, you need to set the external URL for GitLab. This URL is how users will access your GitLab instance. You can set it by editing the GitLab configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb

Find the line that starts with external_url and set it to your domain or IP address. Save the file and exit the editor.

Completing the Installation

Finally, reconfigure GitLab to apply the changes:

sudo gitlab-ctl reconfigure

This command will set up your GitLab instance with the new configuration. Once it’s done, you can access GitLab by navigating to the external URL you set earlier. Congratulations, your GitLab CE installation is complete!

Configuring GitLab Post-Installation

Accessing GitLab for the First Time

After installing GitLab, it’s time to access it for the first time. Open your web browser and navigate to your GitLab server’s URL. If you didn’t set a root password during installation, you’ll be prompted to create one now. Enter your desired password and proceed to the login screen. The default username is root. Use the password you just created to log in.

Setting Up the Admin Account

Once logged in, you’ll want to set up your admin account. Navigate to the Admin Area from the top-right menu. Here, you can change the root username if you prefer. It’s also a good idea to add an email address for account recovery. Make sure to save your changes.

Configuring Basic Settings

Now, let’s configure some basic settings. Go to the Settings page from the Admin Area. Here, you can set your GitLab instance’s name, configure visibility levels, and set up sign-up restrictions. Don’t forget to configure your email settings to ensure you receive notifications. These settings are crucial for the smooth operation of your GitLab instance.

Testing Your GitLab Installation

Creating a New Project

After setting up GitLab, the first thing you should do is create a new project. This will help you confirm that everything is working as expected. Navigate to the GitLab dashboard and click on the "New Project" button. Fill in the necessary details like project name and visibility level, then click "Create Project". Your new project should now be visible in the dashboard.

Pushing Code to the Repository

Once your project is created, it’s time to push some code. Open your terminal and navigate to your project directory. Initialize a new Git repository using git init. Add your files with git add . and commit them with git commit -m 'Initial commit'. Finally, push your code to GitLab using the command git push origin master. If everything is set up correctly, your code should now be visible in the GitLab repository.

Cloning a Project Using SSH

To ensure that SSH operations are functioning, try cloning your project. Go to your project page on GitLab and find the SSH URL. Open your terminal and run git clone [SSH URL]. If the cloning process completes without errors, your SSH setup is working fine.

It’s crucial to validate that the GitLab package is properly installed and that you can access GitLab via the terminal. This ensures that command-line operations can be performed without issues.

If you encounter any issues during these tests, consult the troubleshooting section of the GitLab documentation for guidance on resolving common problems.

Maintaining Your GitLab Instance

Regular Backups

Regular backups are essential to protect your data. Schedule backups during low-traffic periods to minimize disruption. Use the gitlab-backup command to create backups. Automate this process to reduce the risk of human error. Always verify your backups to ensure they can be restored successfully.

Updating GitLab

Keeping GitLab up-to-date is crucial for security and new features. Start by updating your package lists with apt-get update. Then, upgrade GitLab with apt-get install gitlab-ee. After upgrading, run gitlab-ctl reconfigure to apply the new settings. Always test your GitLab instance after an upgrade to ensure everything works correctly.

Monitoring Performance and Logs

Monitoring is key to maintaining a healthy GitLab instance. Regularly check CPU and memory usage, response times, error rates, and throughput. GitLab provides tools like Prometheus and Grafana for detailed insights. Review logs frequently to understand what’s happening in your environment. This includes job logs, system logs, and application logs.

By keeping a close eye on these metrics, you can address issues before they escalate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prepare my server for GitLab installation?

To get your server ready, first get its internet IP address. Then, set up rules to allow TCP traffic on port 80. Connect to your server to get the GitLab credentials, and set up domain configuration if you plan to use a domain for GitLab.

How do I access GitLab for the first time?

To access GitLab for the first time, open your web browser and go to http://your_domain or http://server_internet_IP. Log in using the provided credentials to reach the dashboard.

What are the required dependencies for installing GitLab on Ubuntu 22.04?

Before installing GitLab, you need to install some required dependencies like curl, OpenSSH, ca-certificates, tzdata, and Postfix.

How do I migrate GitLab from CentOS 7 to Ubuntu 22.04?

First, back up your old GitLab data on CentOS 7. Then, transfer the backup to Ubuntu 22.04 and restore GitLab from the backup. Follow any necessary upgrade steps.

How do I integrate email services with GitLab?

To integrate email services, configure the SMTP settings in your email service provider, like SendGrid. Then, modify the GitLab configuration file (/etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb) for email integration.

How do I secure my GitLab installation?

To secure your GitLab installation, set up SSL for secure connections, enable two-factor authentication, manage user permissions, and regularly review security logs.

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