Swiftorial Logo
Home
Swift Lessons
Matchups
CodeSnaps
Tutorials
Career
Resources

Jenkins on Kubernetes with Helm

1. Introduction

This lesson covers the deployment of Jenkins on Kubernetes using Helm. Jenkins is a popular open-source automation server that provides hundreds of plugins to support building, deploying, and automating any project. Deploying Jenkins on Kubernetes allows for a scalable and manageable CI/CD pipeline.

2. Key Concepts

2.1 Jenkins

An automation server that enables developers to build, test, and deploy their code.

2.2 Kubernetes

An open-source platform for managing containerized applications across a cluster of machines.

2.3 Helm

A package manager for Kubernetes that allows you to define, install, and upgrade applications.

3. Installation

Follow these steps to install Jenkins on Kubernetes using Helm:

  1. Ensure you have a Kubernetes cluster up and running.
  2. Install Helm on your local machine.
  3. Add the Jenkins Helm chart repository:
    4. helm repo add jenkins https://charts.jenkins.io
helm repo update
  4. Install Jenkins using the Helm chart:
    5. helm install jenkins jenkins/jenkins
  5. Verify the installation by checking the pods:
    6. kubectl get pods

4. Configuration

After installation, configure Jenkins:

  1. Retrieve the Jenkins admin password:
    2. kubectl exec --namespace default -it svc/jenkins -c jenkins -- cat /var/jenkins_home/secrets/initialAdminPassword
  2. Access Jenkins via the service IP:
    3. kubectl get svc
  3. Set up plugins and create your first job through the Jenkins web interface.

5. Best Practices

5.1 Use Persistent Volumes

To ensure data persistence, configure Jenkins to use persistent storage.

5.2 Secure Jenkins

Implement security best practices such as enabling HTTPS and restricting access.

5.3 Monitor Jenkins

Use monitoring tools to keep track of Jenkins performance and health.

6. FAQ

What is Jenkins?

Jenkins is an automation server that helps automate parts of software development related to building, testing, and deploying, facilitating continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD).

Why use Helm with Kubernetes?

Helm simplifies the deployment process by managing Kubernetes applications with Helm charts, which are packages of pre-configured Kubernetes resources.

Can Jenkins run on any cloud provider?

Yes, Jenkins can be deployed on any cloud provider that supports Kubernetes, such as AWS, GCP, or Azure.