How to install GitLab on CentOS 7

Alaric Bird

6 years ago

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Discover the process to install GitLab on CentOS 7 with our easy-to-follow instructions. Set up a powerful version control and collaboration platform for your development team. #centlinux #linux #git

What is GitLab?

GitLab is an open-source web-based git repository manager providing wiki, issue-tracking and CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Common Deployment). GitLab available in two editions, CE (Community Edition) and EE (Enterprise Edition). The GitLab CE has limited features while the GitLab EE is the commercial product and loaded with many additional features. Both GitLab CE & EE editions are available to download, however, the GitLab EE will provides same features as GitLab CE unless one acquires a license from GitLab. In this article, we will install GitLab on CentOS 7.

GitLab is a comprehensive DevOps platform designed for the entire software development lifecycle. It integrates tools for version control, project management, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and more. GitLab provides a single application for managing your development processes, enabling teams to collaborate effectively and streamline workflows.

Here’s a detailed overview of GitLab, including its features, components, and use cases:

Key Features of GitLab

Version Control
- Git Repository Management: GitLab uses Git as its version control system, allowing users to manage code repositories with features like branching, merging, and pull requests.
- Code Review: Supports code reviews through merge requests where team members can comment, review, and approve changes.
Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
- CI/CD Pipelines: Automate the process of building, testing, and deploying code changes. Pipelines can be configured using .gitlab-ci.yml files to define stages, jobs, and scripts.
- Automated Testing: Run automated tests as part of the CI process to ensure code quality and detect issues early.
- Deployment: Deploy code to different environments (development, staging, production) as part of the CD process.
Project Management
- Issue Tracking: Manage tasks, bugs, and feature requests using GitLab’s issue tracker. Issues can be assigned, labeled, and prioritized.
- Boards: Visualize and manage work with Kanban-style boards for tracking the progress of tasks and issues.
- Milestones: Organize issues and merge requests into milestones to track project goals and deadlines.
Code Collaboration
- Merge Requests: Facilitate code reviews and collaborative development by requesting changes to be merged from one branch to another.
- Discussion Threads: Engage in discussions within issues and merge requests to review code and provide feedback.
Security and Compliance
- Vulnerability Management: Scan code for security vulnerabilities and manage remediation.
- Compliance Management: Ensure compliance with various standards and regulations through features like audit logs and access controls.
- Secrets Management: Securely manage and access secrets and environment variables used in CI/CD pipelines.
Repository Management
- Repository Hosting: Host Git repositories with features like repository mirroring, backups, and versioning.
- File Management: Manage files within repositories, including large files through Git LFS (Large File Storage).
DevOps Lifecycle Integration
- DevOps Tools: Integrates with tools for monitoring, performance analysis, and incident management.
- API Access: Provides APIs for integration with external tools and automation of tasks.
Documentation
- Wiki: Create and maintain project documentation using GitLab’s built-in Wiki feature.
- Documentation Pages: Generate and host project documentation with support for markdown and rich text.

Components of GitLab

GitLab Community Edition (CE)
- Free and Open Source: Includes core features for version control, CI/CD, and basic project management.
- Features: Includes repository management, issue tracking, and CI/CD pipelines.
GitLab Enterprise Edition (EE)
- Paid Version: Offers additional features and support for larger teams and organizations.
- Features: Includes advanced security, compliance tools, and enterprise-level support.
GitLab.com
- Hosted Service: A cloud-hosted version of GitLab available as a SaaS (Software as a Service) offering.
- Plans: Free and paid plans with varying levels of features and support.

Common GitLab Commands

Command	Description
`gitlab-rails console`	Open the Rails console for administrative tasks.
`gitlab-ctl reconfigure`	Reconfigure GitLab after changes to configuration files.
`gitlab-ctl restart`	Restart GitLab services.
`gitlab-ctl status`	Check the status of GitLab services.
`gitlab-ctl upgrade`	Upgrade GitLab to the latest version.

Common GitLab Commands

GitLab vs. Other Git Platforms

Feature	GitLab	GitHub	Bitbucket
Version Control	Git	Git	Git, Mercurial
CI/CD	Built-in CI/CD Pipelines	GitHub Actions (newer feature)	Built-in Pipelines (Bitbucket Pipelines)
Issue Tracking	Advanced issues and boards	Basic issues and projects	Basic issues and boards
Project Management	Advanced boards, milestones	Projects and basic task management	Advanced boards, milestones
Security	Advanced security features	Basic security features	Basic security features
Code Review	Merge Requests and code review	Pull Requests and code review	Pull Requests and code review
Free Tier	Generous free tier with CI/CD	Free tier with limited features	Free tier with limited features

GitLab Alternatives

Use Cases

Version Control: Manage and track changes in your source code.
Collaborative Development: Work on projects with multiple team members.
Continuous Integration: Automate testing and building of code.
Continuous Deployment: Automate the deployment of applications.
Project Management: Track tasks, milestones, and progress.
Security Management: Scan for vulnerabilities and manage compliance.

Summary

GitLab is a powerful, integrated DevOps platform offering a suite of tools for version control, project management, CI/CD, and more. Whether you’re managing a personal project or working as part of a large team, GitLab provides the features you need to streamline development processes and ensure successful project outcomes.

Recommended Online Training: GitHub Ultimate: Master Git and GitHub – Beginner to Expert

Linux Server Specification

We have configured a Linux virtual machine with following specification for installing GitLab Server .

Hostname – gitlab-server.itlab.com
IP Address – 192.168.116.128/24
CPU – 3.2 Ghz (2 Cores)
Memory – 3 GB
Storage – 60 GB

Read Also: How to install GitLab on CentOS 8

Install GitLab on CentOS 7

Connect to Linux Server (gitlab-server.itlab.com) by using ssh, and install required packages using yum command.

# yum install -y curl policycoreutils-python

It also requires postfix and openssh-server packages. But both of them are already installed with minimal installation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) or CentOS 7.6.

Allow the http service through Linux firewall.

# firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http
success
# firewall-cmd --reload
success

Install GitLab package repository as follows.

# curl https://packages.gitlab.com/install/repositories/gitlab/gitlab-ee/script.rpm.sh | bash
  % Total    % Received % Xferd  Average Speed   Time    Time     Time  Current
                                 Dload  Upload   Total   Spent    Left  Speed
100  6463    0  6463    0     0   3729      0 --:--:--  0:00:01 --:--:--  3729
Detected operating system as rhel/7.
Checking for curl...
Detected curl...
Downloading repository file: https://packages.gitlab.com/install/repositories/gitlab/gitlab-ee/config_file.repo?os=rhel&dist=7&source=script
done.
Installing pygpgme to verify GPG signatures...
Loaded plugins: product-id, search-disabled-repos, subscription-manager
This system is not registered with an entitlement server. You can use subscription-manager to register.
gitlab_gitlab-ee-source/signature                        |  836 B     00:00
Retrieving key from https://packages.gitlab.com/gitlab/gitlab-ee/gpgkey
Importing GPG key 0xE15E78F4:
 Userid     : "GitLab B.V. (package repository signing key) "
 Fingerprint: 1a4c 919d b987 d435 9396 38b9 1421 9a96 e15e 78f4
 From       : https://packages.gitlab.com/gitlab/gitlab-ee/gpgkey
Retrieving key from https://packages.gitlab.com/gitlab/gitlab-ee/gpgkey/gitlab-gitlab-ee-3D645A26AB9FBD22.pub.gpg
gitlab_gitlab-ee-source/signature                        |  951 B     00:01 !!!
gitlab_gitlab-ee-source/primary                            |  175 B   00:02
Package pygpgme-0.3-9.el7.x86_64 already installed and latest version
Nothing to do
Installing yum-utils...
Loaded plugins: product-id, search-disabled-repos, subscription-manager
This system is not registered with an entitlement server. You can use subscription-manager to register.
Package yum-utils-1.1.31-50.el7.noarch already installed and latest version
Nothing to do
Generating yum cache for gitlab_gitlab-ee...
Importing GPG key 0xE15E78F4:
 Userid     : "GitLab B.V. (package repository signing key) "
 Fingerprint: 1a4c 919d b987 d435 9396 38b9 1421 9a96 e15e 78f4
 From       : https://packages.gitlab.com/gitlab/gitlab-ee/gpgkey

The repository is setup! You can now install packages.

Install GitLab on CentOS 7 as follows:

# EXTERNAL_URL="http://gitlab-server.itlab.com" yum install -y gitlab-ee
Loaded plugins: product-id, search-disabled-repos, subscription-manager
This system is not registered with an entitlement server. You can use subscription-manager to register.
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package gitlab-ee.x86_64 0:11.5.3-ee.0.el7 will be installed
--> Finished Dependency Resolution

Dependencies Resolved

================================================================================
 Package        Arch        Version                 Repository             Size
================================================================================
Installing:
 gitlab-ee      x86_64      11.5.3-ee.0.el7         gitlab_gitlab-ee      495 M

Transaction Summary
================================================================================
Install  1 Package

Total download size: 495 M
Installed size: 1.4 G
Downloading packages:
warning: /var/cache/yum/x86_64/7Server/gitlab_gitlab-ee/packages/gitlab-ee-11.5.3-ee.0.el7.x86_64.rpm: Header V4 RSA/SHA1 Signature, key ID f27eab47: NOKEY
Public key for gitlab-ee-11.5.3-ee.0.el7.x86_64.rpm is not installed
gitlab-ee-11.5.3-ee.0.el7.x86_64.rpm                       | 495 MB   65:20
Retrieving key from https://packages.gitlab.com/gitlab/gitlab-ee/gpgkey
Importing GPG key 0xE15E78F4:
 Userid     : "GitLab B.V. (package repository signing key) "
 Fingerprint: 1a4c 919d b987 d435 9396 38b9 1421 9a96 e15e 78f4
 From       : https://packages.gitlab.com/gitlab/gitlab-ee/gpgkey
Retrieving key from https://packages.gitlab.com/gitlab/gitlab-ee/gpgkey/gitlab-gitlab-ee-3D645A26AB9FBD22.pub.gpg
Importing GPG key 0xF27EAB47:
 Userid     : "GitLab, Inc. "
 Fingerprint: dbef 8977 4ddb 9eb3 7d9f c3a0 3cfc f9ba f27e ab47
 From       : https://packages.gitlab.com/gitlab/gitlab-ee/gpgkey/gitlab-gitlab-ee-3D645A26AB9FBD22.pub.gpg
Running transaction check
Running transaction test
Transaction test succeeded
Running transaction
  Installing : gitlab-ee-11.5.3-ee.0.el7.x86_64                             1/1
...
...
...
Running handlers:
Running handlers complete
Chef Client finished, 457/672 resources updated in 18 minutes 23 seconds
gitlab Reconfigured!

       *.                  *.
      ***                 ***
     *****               *****
    .******             *******
    ********            ********
   ,,,,,,,,,***********,,,,,,,,,
  ,,,,,,,,,,,*********,,,,,,,,,,,
  .,,,,,,,,,,,*******,,,,,,,,,,,,
      ,,,,,,,,,*****,,,,,,,,,.
         ,,,,,,,****,,,,,,
            .,,,***,,,,
                ,*,.



     _______ __  __          __
    / ____(_) /_/ /   ____ _/ /_
   / / __/ / __/ /   / __ `/ __ 
  / /_/ / / /_/ /___/ /_/ / /_/ /
  ____/_/__/_____/__,_/_.___/


Thank you for installing GitLab!
GitLab should be available at http://gitlab-server.itlab.com

For a comprehensive list of configuration options please see the Omnibus GitLab readme
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/omnibus-gitlab/blob/master/README.md

  Verifying  : gitlab-ee-11.5.3-ee.0.el7.x86_64                             1/1

Installed:
  gitlab-ee.x86_64 0:11.5.3-ee.0.el7

Complete!

GitLab EE (Enterprise Edition) has been installed on our Linux system.

Configure GitLab Server

Browse the URL http://gitlab.itlab.com using a client’s browser.

Since, we are login for the first time on our GitLab Server , therefore, we need to set the GitLab password for root user.

After Setting GitLab Password, we are redirected to the GitLab Server Login Page.

Sign-in to GitLab Server using new password.

Now, we are connected with our GitLab server.

If you are new to Linux and facing difficulty in working at Linux Bash prompt. We recommend that, you should read The Linux Command Line, 2nd Edition: A Complete Introduction by William Shotts.

Final Thoughts

Congratulations on setting up GitLab Server on CentOS 7! You now have a powerful platform for version control, project management, and continuous integration to support your development projects. I hope this guide has made the installation process clear and straightforward for you.

If you need further assistance with GitLab setup, configuration, or any other Linux-related tasks, feel free to check out my Fiverr profile for a range of professional services. Whether it’s GitLab administration, troubleshooting, or other technical support, I’m here to help you achieve your goals efficiently.

Thank you for reading, and happy developing with GitLab!

Table of Contents

What is GitLab?

Key Features of GitLab

Components of GitLab

Common GitLab Commands

GitLab vs. Other Git Platforms

Use Cases

Summary

Linux Server Specification

Install GitLab on CentOS 7

Configure GitLab Server

Final Thoughts