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Learn DevOps techniques in a home lab
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Article
Install Vagrant to deploy an immutable infrastructure
This tutorial explains the steps to install Vagrant in the DevOps lab then manage a VM deployment as immutable infrastructure. Read Now
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Article
Control infrastructure code through GitHub
GitHub is a distributed version control platform, and it's not just for application code. In this step, learn to use Git as the central repository for infrastructure code, so you can roll back revisions and quash configuration drift with ease. Read Now
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Article
Learn configuration management concepts with Ansible
Create a consistent and redeployable stack by using configuration management tool Ansible with Vagrant and GitHub. In this tutorial, string commands together to create an Ansible playbook and commit it to Git. Read Now
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Article
An introduction to containers and Docker swarm mode
Include Docker in your DevOps home lab to become versed in container management using Docker swarm mode before the enterprise adopts containers. Read Now
Editor's note
IT administrators who want to learn DevOps techniques cannot always convince their superiors to allow them to test out configuration management tools or practice container deployment on a production server.
With many companies unwilling to invest in training activities, the admin must take charge and find a way to explore exciting, in-demand skills. A home lab is one way to try out tools and techniques on a single laptop with free tools. This guide will help you build a DevOps home lab.
You can learn DevOps approaches to IT administration and pick up new skills. This DevOps lab creates an immutable infrastructure that will enable you to spin up Docker containers.
The first project in the lab series gets Vagrant to deploy a Linux VM and extend the configuration to three VMs. In step two, learn to use Git version control to manage infrastructure as code. Step three takes you through the basics of Ansible to configure the Linux VMs and create a stack that is consistent and redeployable. Finally, in step four, use Docker swarm mode to run containers in those VMs.
1DevOps lab instructor Alastair Cooke
2Speak the DevOps language
Integrate these terms and tools into your professional lexicon.
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Definition
Ansible playbook
An Ansible playbook is an organized unit of scripts that defines work for a server configuration managed by the automation tool Ansible. Read Now
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Definition
App containerization
Application containerization is an OS-level virtualization method used to deploy and run distributed applications without launching an entire virtual machine (VM) for each app. Read Now
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Definition
Automation
IT automation is the use of instructions to create a repeated process that replaces an IT professional's manual work in data centers and cloud deployments. Read Now
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Definition
Configuration management
Configuration management (CM) is a governance and systems engineering process for ensuring consistency in an operational environment. Read Now
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Definition
DCIM
Data center infrastructure management (DCIM) is the convergence of IT and data center facilities functions within an organization. Read Now
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Definition
Docker Swarm
Docker Swarm is a clustering and scheduling tool for Docker containers. Orchestration frees containers from a single host for failover, load balancing and other benefits. Read Now
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Definition
Git
Git is a free and open source distributed code management and version control system that is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2. Read Now
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Definition
Immutable infrastructure
Immutable infrastructure is an approach to managing services and software deployments on IT resources wherein components are replaced rather than changed. An application or services is effectively redeployed each time any change occurs. Read Now
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Definition
Infrastructure as code
Infrastructure as code (IaC) is an approach to software development that treats physical compute, storage and network fabric resources as web services and allows apps to run where they are best suited, based on cost and performance data. Read Now
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Definition
Kubernetes
Kubernetes, also referred to as K8s, is an open source system used to manage Linux containers across private, public and hybrid cloud environments. Read Now
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Definition
Puppet
Puppet is an open source systems management tool for centralizing and automating configuration management. Administrators can encode the configuration of a service as a policy, which Puppet then monitors and enforces. Read Now
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Definition
Python
Python is an interpreted, object-oriented programming language similar to PERL, that has gained popularity because of its clear syntax and readability. Read Now