1. Introduction
GitLab is one of the most commonly used repository management systems that enables developers to collaborate on a project efficiently. GitLab can be installed on a server, but before that, there are some prerequisites that need to be set up in order for GitLab to run smoothly. In this article, we will discuss the essential server configurations required for GitLab installation.
2. Operating system requirements
GitLab is compatible with various operating systems, such as Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. However, before starting the installation process, ensure that the server meets the recommended GitLab system requirements. For instance, the hardware specifications should include at least 4 GB of RAM, a multi-core processor, and a minimum of 2 CPU cores.
2.1 Ubuntu server configuration
GitLab requires a 64-bit Ubuntu server version 18.04 or later. After checking that the system requirements are met, ensure that the Ubuntu server is updated using the apt-get command.
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
After updating the server, configure the hostname and FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) of the Ubuntu server using the hostnamectl command.
sudo hostnamectl set-hostname your-hostname
sudo hostnamectl set-hostname your_FQDN
Ensure that the deployment environment is correctly configured with a domain name, as GitLab requires a unique domain name to generate SSL certificates.
2.2 CentOS server configuration
GitLab works best with a CentOS server version 7 or higher with a GNOME desktop environment. Unlike Ubuntu, the CentOS server requires the epel-release package to be installed before GitLab installation.
sudo yum install -y epel-release
After the installation of the epel-release package, use the following command to update the system and install GitLab dependencies:
sudo yum update
sudo yum install -y curl policycoreutils openssh-server perl
sudo systemctl enable sshd
sudo systemctl start sshd
3. Install GitLab
3.1 Ubuntu GitLab installation
The installation process of GitLab on Ubuntu requires specific commands to be executed in the terminal. These commands can be retrieved from the GitLab website.
First, add the GitLab repository by using the following command:
curl https://packages.gitlab.com/install/repositories/gitlab/gitlab-ce/script.deb.sh | sudo bash
Afterward, install GitLab using the apt-get command.
sudo apt-get install gitlab-ce
Finally, after the installation process is completed, open a browser and enter your server's IP address in the address bar along with the GitLab postfix. Example: http://your-server-ip:80.
3.2 CentOS GitLab installation
Like Ubuntu, GitLab’s CentOS installation process begins with the addition of the GitLab repository. The CentOS-specific command for this process is available on the GitLab website. The command is shown below:
curl -sS https://packages.gitlab.com/install/repositories/gitlab/gitlab-ce/script.rpm.sh | sudo bash
After adding the GitLab repository, use the yum command to install GitLab.
sudo yum install gitlab-ce
As with Ubuntu installation, once the installation process is completed, open a browser and enter your server's IP address post-fixed with the GitLab location to access GitLab. Example: http://your-server-ip:80.
4. Conclusion
In conclusion, GitLab is an excellent tool for managing repositories, but it requires proper server configuration for optimal performance. Be sure to select the correct operating system and follow the installation steps provided to avoid any errors that could affect your system's performance. Finally, if you encounter any issues during installation or configuration, refer to the GitLab documentation for troubleshooting steps and find the help you need.