Instructions for Setting Up Jenkins on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
In the realm of continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD), Jenkins stands out as an open-source automation server designed to simplify software projects' automation. This article explores the benefits of using Jenkins on Ubuntu 24.04, a modern, stable, and secure platform, particularly for production CI/CD environments.
Stability and Latest Features
Ubuntu 24.04, being a recent Long-Term Support (LTS) release, offers a stable and well-maintained platform for Jenkins. LTS versions ensure long-term security updates and bug fixes, which are critical for continuous integration/delivery environments where reliability is essential.
Package Management and Ease of Installation
Ubuntu's Advanced Package Tool (APT) package manager simplifies installing Jenkins and its dependencies, making the setup and upgrades straightforward. Official Jenkins packages and plugins usually support Ubuntu well, ensuring smoother integration.
Rich Ecosystem and Community Support
Ubuntu's popularity among developers and DevOps practitioners means extensive documentation, community-driven tutorials, and troubleshooting resources that complement Jenkins usage.
Integration with Other DevOps Tools
Ubuntu's widespread adoption in cloud and local environments means Jenkins can easily integrate with tools commonly used in CI/CD pipelines, such as Ansible, Docker, Terraform, and OpenShift. This enables a fully automated and reproducible pipeline on a consistent operating system.
Performance Optimization and Security
Ubuntu 24.04 includes updated kernels and security patches that enhance system performance and security for Jenkins agents and master nodes, reducing downtime and exposure to vulnerabilities.
Cloud Compatibility
Ubuntu images are widely supported across major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP), allowing Jenkins environments to be deployed seamlessly in the cloud with consistent behavior between local and remote builds.
Optimizing Jenkins Performance
To further optimize Jenkins performance on Ubuntu 24.04, consider using SSD-backed volumes, increasing the Java heap size, running agents on separate servers, using pipeline parallelization, and offloading artifacts and logs to external storage.
Setting Up Jenkins on Ubuntu 24.04
To start using Jenkins on Ubuntu 24.04, follow these steps:
- Create a VPS instance on Shape.Host.
- Connect to the server via SSH, update the system, install Java (OpenJDK 17), and proceed with the Jenkins installation.
- Add the official Jenkins APT repository to the sources list.
- Install the latest stable Jenkins package from the newly added repository.
- Start the Jenkins service immediately, and enable it to start automatically on system boot.
- Access the Jenkins unlock screen via a browser.
- Retrieve the one-time admin password for unlocking Jenkins the first time.
Securing Jenkins
To secure Jenkins, consider setting up HTTPS, integrating secure user authentication methods like LDAP, SAML, or GitHub OAuth, configuring Role-Based Access Control, keeping plugins and core Jenkins updated, enabling backup routines, and hardening the Jenkins server using UFW, Fail2Ban, and AppArmor.
Jenkins Architecture
Jenkins Master manages job scheduling, UI, and plugins, while Build Agents (Slaves) execute build steps. Jenkins runs as a systemd service on Ubuntu for process control, and the default port is 8080.
In conclusion, running Jenkins on Ubuntu 24.04 in a CI/CD environment leverages a stable, secure, and well-supported Linux distribution that maximizes Jenkins's potential for continuous integration and delivery workflows. The combination enables automated, repeatable, and scalable pipelines with easy integration into a modern DevOps toolchain.
Technology plays a pivotal role in the success of Jenkins on Ubuntu 24.04, providing seamless integration for data-and-cloud-computing tools commonly used in continuous integration/delivery pipelines, such as Ansible, Docker, Terraform, and OpenShift.
Additionally, the technology landscape benefits from the extensive ecosystem and community support that Ubuntu offers, with abundant documentation and resources for Jenkins users, ensuring smoother integrations and upgrades.
