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Distributed Build Agents on Kubernetes

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Distributed build agents on Kubernetes allow Jenkins to scale out the build process by deploying multiple agents dynamically in a Kubernetes cluster. This enables efficient resource utilization and faster build times.

2. Key Concepts

  • Kubernetes: An open-source container orchestration platform for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.
  • Jenkins: An open-source automation server that supports building, deploying, and automating software development tasks.
  • Build Agent: A worker instance that performs the actual work of building, testing, and deploying code.
  • Pod: The smallest deployable unit in Kubernetes, which can contain one or more containers.

3. Setting Up Jenkins on Kubernetes

To set up Jenkins on Kubernetes, follow these steps:
  1. Ensure you have a running Kubernetes cluster.
  2. Deploy Jenkins using Helm: 
    helm repo add jenkins-ci https://charts.jenkins.io
helm repo update
helm install jenkins jenkins-ci/jenkins
  3. Access Jenkins UI and set up the initial configuration.

4. Configuration of Jenkins Agents

To configure Jenkins to use Kubernetes as a cloud provider for dynamic agents, follow these steps:
  1. Install the Kubernetes plugin in Jenkins.
  2. Navigate to Manage Jenkins → Configure System.
  3. Scroll to the Kubernetes section and configure the Kubernetes URL and credentials.
  4. Define Pod Templates for the build agents: 
    podTemplate(label: 'jnlp', containers: [
    containerTemplate(name: 'jnlp', image: 'jenkins/inbound-agent:latest', args: '${computer.jnlpmac} ${computer.name}')
]) { ... }
  5. Save the configuration and restart Jenkins.

5. Best Practices

  • Use specific labels for your agents to ensure jobs run on the appropriate environment.
  • Monitor resource usage to optimize pod configurations.
  • Implement security best practices within your Kubernetes cluster to protect Jenkins.
  • Regularly update Jenkins and its plugins to the latest versions.

6. FAQ

What are the benefits of using distributed build agents?

Distributed build agents help in reducing build times, enhancing resource utilization, and improving the overall performance of CI/CD pipelines.

Can I use my existing Jenkins setup with Kubernetes?

Yes, it is possible to integrate your existing Jenkins setup with Kubernetes by configuring it to use Kubernetes as a cloud provider for dynamic agents.