Jenkins is an open source automation server used to automate repetitive tasks that are often encountered in continuous integration and delivery of software. In this guide, we will see how you can run Jenkins server on a Docker container managed via Systemd init system.
If you would prefer running Jenkins on a CentOS 7 or Ubuntu 18.04 instance, use the following guides instead.
- How to Install Jenkins on Ubuntu
- Install Jenkins Server Stable on CentOS 7
- Install Jenkins Server on CentOS 8
This guide is specific for Docker guys who like containerizing applications and any infrastructure management tools.
How To Run Jenkins Server in Docker Container
Running Jenkins Server on a Docker has few dependencies that you’ll need to satisfy.
- Linux or macOS
- Docker Engine installed and running
- A user account with sudo privileges
Step 1: Install Docker Engine
Start by installing Docker engine on your base operating system. You can use our previous guide for docker installation.
After the installation, you can confirm the version installed by running:
$ docker version
Client: Docker Engine - Community
Version: 20.10.21
API version: 1.41
Go version: go1.18.7
Git commit: baeda1f
Built: Tue Oct 25 18:01:58 2022
OS/Arch: linux/amd64
Context: default
Experimental: true
Server: Docker Engine - Community
Engine:
Version: 20.10.21
API version: 1.41 (minimum version 1.12)
Go version: go1.18.7
Git commit: 3056208
Built: Tue Oct 25 17:59:49 2022
OS/Arch: linux/amd64
Experimental: false
containerd:
Version: 1.6.9
GitCommit: 1c90a442489720eec95342e1789ee8a5e1b9536f
runc:
Version: 1.1.4
GitCommit: v1.1.4-0-g5fd4c4d
docker-init:
Version: 0.19.0
GitCommit: de40ad0
Step 2: Add jenkins user
Next is to add Jenkins system user to your server. This user will manage Jenkins service.
sudo groupadd --system jenkins
sudo useradd -s /sbin/nologin --system -g jenkins jenkins
sudo usermod -aG docker jenkinsEnsure this user is added to the docker group.
$ id jenkins
uid=999(jenkins) gid=998(jenkins) groups=998(jenkins),999(docker)Pull the LTS docker image release of Jenkins
sudo docker pull jenkins/jenkins:ltsConfirm that the image download was successful.
$ docker images
REPOSITORY TAG IMAGE ID CREATED SIZE
jenkins/jenkins lts 9cff19ad8c8b 3 weeks ago 730MBStep 3: Create a Jenkins Data directory & container
We need a persistent storage for Jenkins data to ensure that the data is made to remain intact and can, therefore, be re-used in the event that the container shuts down or crashes.
sudo mkdir /var/jenkins
sudo chown -R 1000:1000 /var/jenkinsStep 4: Create a Jenkins Container Systemd service
Create a new systemd service unit file for Jenkins.
sudo vim /etc/systemd/system/jenkins-docker.service
Add:
[Unit]
Description=Jenkins Server
Documentation=https://jenkins.io/doc/
After=docker.service
Requires=docker.service
[Service]
Type=simple
User=jenkins
Group=jenkins
TimeoutStartSec=0
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=30s
ExecStartPre=-/usr/bin/docker kill jenkins-server
ExecStartPre=-/usr/bin/docker rm jenkins-server
ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/docker pull jenkins/jenkins:lts
ExecStart=/usr/bin/docker run \
--name jenkins-server \
--publish 8080:8080 \
--publish 50000:50000 \
--volume /var/jenkins:/var/jenkins_home \
jenkins/jenkins:lts
SyslogIdentifier=jenkins
ExecStop=/usr/bin/docker stop jenkins-server
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Reload systemd and start jenkins service
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl start jenkins-dockerOn checking the status, you should get a running message.
$ systemctl status jenkins-docker
● jenkins-docker.service - Jenkins Server
Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/jenkins-docker.service; disabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: active (running) since Sun 2022-10-30 00:56:54 EAT; 9s ago
Docs: https://jenkins.io/doc/
Process: 8962 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/docker kill jenkins-server (code=exited, status=1/FAILURE)
Process: 8967 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/docker rm jenkins-server (code=exited, status=1/FAILURE)
Process: 8972 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/docker pull jenkins/jenkins:lts (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Main PID: 8983 (docker)
Tasks: 5 (limit: 9460)
Memory: 9.7M
CPU: 89ms
CGroup: /system.slice/jenkins-docker.service
└─8983 /usr/bin/docker run --name jenkins-server --publish 8080:8080 --publish 50000:50000 --volume /var/jenkins:/var/jenkins_home jenkins/jenkins:lts
Oct 30 00:57:02 jammy jenkins[8983]: *************************************************************
Oct 30 00:57:02 jammy jenkins[8983]: *************************************************************
Oct 30 00:57:02 jammy jenkins[8983]: *************************************************************
Oct 30 00:57:02 jammy jenkins[8983]: Jenkins initial setup is required. An admin user has been created and a password generated.
Oct 30 00:57:02 jammy jenkins[8983]: Please use the following password to proceed to installation:
Oct 30 00:57:02 jammy jenkins[8983]: 77917c89e52e4f6087c311d04023833d
Oct 30 00:57:02 jammy jenkins[8983]: This may also be found at: /var/jenkins_home/secrets/initialAdminPassword
Oct 30 00:57:02 jammy jenkins[8983]: *************************************************************
Oct 30 00:57:02 jammy jenkins[8983]: *************************************************************
Oct 30 00:57:02 jammy jenkins[8983]: *************************************************************Step 5: Unlock Jenkins Server installation
Browse to the URL to access web installation wizard:
http://[serverip|hostname]:8080When you first access a new Jenkins instance, you are asked to unlock it using an automatically generated password.
Get the password from
# cat /var/jenkins/secrets/initialAdminPassword
eec851b6f1ff43ce9f374a5e50d82fadCopy-paste the automatically-generated alphanumeric password into the Administrator password field and click Continue.
In the next page, install recommended plugins or plugins that suit your desired Jenkins usage. if not sure, select installation of recommended plugins.
Next is to create an admin user account used to manage the Jenkins server.
After a successful installation, you’ll get to Jenkins Management console.
Enjoy automating your jobs with Jenkins. For more reading, check Official Documentation.
Also check: