Git is an open-source, distributed Version Control System. Initially created as a VCS for the linux kernel development process, Git has sky-rocketed in popularity and is now essentially the default option for open-source projects. Increasingly, companies are also migrating from tools such as Subversion or TFS allowing developers to standardize on a single VCS for both work and play.
GitLab is an open-source, stand-alone web interface for managing Git repositories; similar in many respects to the popular github.com site but due to the stand-alone nature allowing companies to remain in full control of their source code. GitLab provides for the management of repositories, commit reviews, issue tracking, and a wiki for each repository.
With Binary Lane's installation image, you can have a fully-functioning GitLab server up and running without needing to touch SSH or edit a configuration file. Lets get started!
1. Create your GitLab server
Head over to the signup page, the first step is to select an operating system. Click the "View All" button, and select GitLab from the drop-down list of Linux distributions.
In the second step when selecting a plan, GitLab recommend a minimum of 2GB memory for best performance. 1GB is acceptably for test or very-light usage, but 512MB is not enough for the GitLab software to function correctly: be sure to select 1GB at the bare minimum.
In the third step when selecting a hostname, simply enter the name you want to access the server by - gitlab.mycompany.com for example. During provisioning, the GitLab install will be automatically configured with this hostname for the website and email correspondance.
Proceed through the account and billing details setup, and in thirty seconds your GitLab VPS will be ready to go.
2. Perform Initial Configuration
After provisioning the cloud server, you will land on our dashboard. From here you should note the root password, and the assigned IP address.
If you are using Binary Lane's DNS Hosting simply add a new "gitlab" A record and select your VPS as the target address. Otherwise copy the IP address and use your third-party DNS provider to create an A record for gitlab.mycompany.com with the assigned IP address as the target.
The default configuration on a new Binary Lane cloud server blocks outgoing mail (this makes Binary Lane servers a less valuable target for hackers). However GitLab needs to send notification emails, so this block needs to be disabled. To do so, simply open Port Blocking in mPanel, clear the checkbox and save.
3. Start using GitLab
Continuing our earlier example, with your DNS setup completed navigate to gitlab.mycompany.com in your web browser:
The default login details are:
-
Username: admin@local.host
- Password: 5iveL!fe (note the exclamation mark after the capital L)