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Setting up Jenkins on a Windows System

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Configuring Jenkins on a Windows System
Configuring Jenkins on a Windows System

Setting up Jenkins on a Windows System

Installing and Configuring Jenkins for Continuous Integration and Delivery on Windows

Jenkins is a popular Java application used for continuous integration and delivery, and it can easily be set up on a Windows operating system. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Install Java JDK

First, you'll need to install Java JDK. We recommend using version 17 or 21. After installation, configure the JAVA_HOME environment variable so that Jenkins can run smoothly.

Step 2: Download Jenkins

Next, download Jenkins. You can choose either the official Jenkins installer for Windows (MSI) or the Jenkins WAR file from the official site.

Step 3: Install Jenkins

If you're using the MSI installer, run it to install Jenkins as a Windows service. During installation, configure the installation directory, service credentials, port, and Java path.

Alternatively, if you've downloaded the WAR file, open Command Prompt, navigate to the WAR location, and run to start Jenkins manually.

Step 4: Access Jenkins through a browser

Once Jenkins is up and running, navigate to (or the configured port) in your web browser to access the Jenkins Web UI. Unlock Jenkins using the initial admin password found in the console output or the file.

Step 5: Install Plugins

Jenkins has multiple plugins for automating various components at an infrastructure level. To streamline your setup, choose to install suggested plugins like Git, Pipeline, and Email Notification. Alternatively, select the essential plugins relevant to your DevOps workflows such as Pipeline, Git, Docker Pipeline, etc.

Step 6: Create Pipeline Projects

With the plugins installed, you can now start creating pipeline projects. Integrate source control (e.g., Git) and write pipeline scripts to automate build, test, deploy stages.

Step 7: (Optional) Set up Windows Agent Nodes

If you need to scale your builds, consider setting up Windows agent nodes in Jenkins for distributed builds.

These steps will help you install Jenkins as a service on Windows, set it up for CI/CD automation, and establish Jenkins as the core of your DevOps workflow on a Windows host.

Detailed Stepwise Summary:

| Step | Description | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Install Java JDK | Jenkins needs Java. Install JDK 17 or 21 and set JAVA_HOME. | | 2 | Download Jenkins | Get either Jenkins Windows MSI installer or the jenkins.war file. | | 3 | Install Jenkins | MSI: runs as service; WAR: run via . | | 4 | Access Jenkins Web UI | Open browser to . Unlock using generated password. | | 5 | Install Plugins | Install suggested or necessary plugins (Pipeline, Git, Docker, etc.). | | 6 | Create Pipeline Projects | Setup jobs/pipelines integrating SCM and build automation scripts. | | 7 | (Optional) Setup Windows Slave Nodes | For distributed builds and scaling, configure Windows slave agents. |

Notes on running Jenkins:

  • Jenkins defaults to port 8080 but will notify if that port is busy and suggest alternatives.
  • Installing Jenkins as a Windows service ensures it starts at boot and runs in the background seamlessly.
  • Initial Jenkins unlock requires the one-time password from a file or console output after startup.
  • Pipeline scripts can be written in Declarative or Scripted syntax for automating builds, tests, and deployment.

This process effectively establishes Jenkins as a CI/CD automation tool on Windows as part of a broader DevOps setup.

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