Recently, DevOps has become increasingly popular due to the high levels of automation that it can bring to businesses. This can lead to organizations being more responsive to customer needs, more trustworthy to employees, and able to fulfil orders in a timely and effective manner.
Implementing DevOps is not the initial step in any process. In fact, it can be quite a challenging endeavour. To ensure successful implementation of DevOps, there are several tools available which can be of great help. Without these technologies, DevOps would be impossible to achieve. Moreover, achieving a higher level of cooperation and coordination amongst the team members is also essential in order to make the most of DevOps (it is not only about the software).
We should take a step back and identify the purpose before diving into the methods.
Exactly what does “DevOps” entail?
DevOps is an effective methodology which brings together the areas of software development and IT operations, encouraging collaboration and creating a more cohesive workflow. Furthermore, DevOps is not just about teamworking; it has the additional benefit of reducing the length of the development cycle and enabling Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD).
So, what exactly is “CI/CD”?
It is advisable to begin by defining what is meant by integrating Dev and Ops, and CI/CD. Essentially, CI/CD ensures that applications are automatically built, tested and deployed.
By integrating DevOps with CI/CD, the development process can be shortened, made more reliable and improved. This also allows for increased automation, resulting in a more efficient software development lifecycle.
So, let’s examine some of the resources you’ll need to make it happen.
Git
Git is a foundational technology in DevOps, used to manage and distribute code. It is a key part of collaboration, tracking and strategic planning. Git is the primary source of truth for code and is used as a conduit for other DevOps tools to exchange information.
If you are conceptualising DevOps technologies as being “dependent on” Git, then you have correctly identified the relationship. When utilising Git as a code management system, you can configure automated processes to observe the repository and, upon finding any alterations, to review, assemble and deploy the revised documents. Without Git, it would be challenging to put into practice automation.
Gradle
Gradle is a necessary tool for automated building, testing and deployment of applications hosted on Git. Our developers can make use of Gradle regardless of the language they are coding in, such as Java, C++, Python, or any other.
In order to use Gradle, the Java Development Kit (JDK) and proficiency in the Groovy-based domain-specific language (DSL) are required. There is an extensive range of plugins and connectors available for Gradle, enabling engineers to incorporate automation to the greatest possible extent.
Jenkins
If you are looking to automate your code commits to a repository, then Jenkins, an open-source continuous integration server, can be of assistance. The Pipeline functionality can be utilised to commit code automatically, as well as running test cases and retrieving reports upon completion of the testing.
Jenkins is a key component in DevOps and CI/CD, with the ability to track commits and initiate builds when necessary. This can significantly decrease deployment times.
Docker
Containerized applications are a key component of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery. Docker is a highly user-friendly option when it comes to this. Docker containers allow for programmes to be created that can run in practically any environment. Furthermore, it ensures a consistent programming environment across all supported platforms, making DevOps implementation not only possible but also much easier.
Kubernetes
Once your application has outgrown a single container, orchestration tools will become necessary. Kubernetes is widely recognized as the most suitable choice for this purpose. Furthermore, it is the optimal tool for DevOps due to its ability to automate the creation and deployment of containers to an impressive degree. Finally, when large-scale deployment is integral to the success of your business, Kubernetes is the only viable option.
Ansible
Ansible is a free and open-source system for the deployment and management of software in a variety of configurations. It is an essential tool for pushing updates to existing systems and for deploying new devices across a network. By utilising Ansible, the time taken for deployment can be significantly reduced, the risk of relying on outdated knowledge is eliminated and the feedback loop for software updates is expedited.
Vagrant
Vagrant is essential for managing virtual machines when utilizing DevOps systems. The setup of physical servers is no longer a requirement for testing and development, as Vagrant enables teams to collaborate on virtual environments.
Sentry
Sentry is a necessity for the efficient tracking of bugs and errors in automated systems. Working invisibly, Sentry continuously analyses your code repository and notifies you of any issues that arise, providing solutions to the problems it finds. Additionally, Sentry can monitor the performance of live applications.
With Sentry, your application lifecycle will be more resilient and quicker to respond to issues as they emerge.
Conclusion
Beginning your venture into DevOps can be a challenging endeavour, requiring significant investment and restructuring of departments. However, with the right technology, you can automate your software deployment and lifecycle management, giving your organisation an edge in the competitive environment.
