GitLab is a powerful, open-source DevOps platform that provides a complete solution for managing your source code, continuous integration, and deployment. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of deploying GitLab on a Virtual Private Server (VPS) using the official installation method.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have:
- A VPS running Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
- Root access to the server
- At least 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended)
- A domain name pointed to your server's IP address
- Minimum Hard Drive Space:
- 50GB for basic installation
- 100GB recommended for repositories and backups
- Storage breakdown:
- GitLab installation: 5-10GB
- Operating system: 10GB
- Repository storage: 20-50GB
- Backup space: 10-20GB
For teams with larger repositories or more projects, consider:
- 250GB for medium-sized teams
- 500GB+ for large organizations
Step 1: Prepare the Server
First, update your system packages:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade -y
Install necessary dependencies:
sudo apt-get install -y curl openssh-server ca-certificates
Step 2: Install GitLab Repository
Add the official GitLab repository:
curl https://packages.gitlab.com/install/repositories/gitlab/gitlab-ee/script.deb.sh | sudo bash
Note: This example uses GitLab Enterprise Edition (EE). For the community edition, use gitlab-ce instead.
Step 3: Install GitLab
Install GitLab using the following command:
sudo EXTERNAL_URL="https://gitlab.yourdomain.com" apt-get install gitlab-ee
Replace gitlab.yourdomain.com with your actual domain name.
Step 4: Configure GitLab
After installation, configure GitLab using the built-in configuration tool:
sudo gitlab-ctl reconfigure
Step 5: Set Up SSL (Recommended)
We recommend using Let's Encrypt for free SSL certificates:
sudo gitlab-ctl stop
sudo certbot certonly --standalone -d gitlab.yourdomain.com
sudo gitlab-ctl reconfigure
Step 6: Initial Setup
Open your browser and navigate to the domain you configured. You'll be prompted to set an initial password for the root user.
Step 7: Additional Security Configurations
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Configure firewall rules
- Set up regular backups
sudo gitlab-backup create
Storage Management Tips
To manage your GitLab storage effectively:
- Regularly clean up old repositories
- Use Git LFS for large files
- Configure repository size limits
- Implement backup rotation strategies
You can check current storage usage with:
sudo gitlab-rake gitlab:env:info
Common Troubleshooting Tips
- Check GitLab status:
sudo gitlab-ctl status - Restart GitLab:
sudo gitlab-ctl restart - View logs:
sudo gitlab-ctl tail
Performance Optimization
For better performance on a VPS:
- Allocate more RAM
- Use SSD storage
- Configure Redis and PostgreSQL caching
- Monitor storage and upgrade as needed
Deployment with DeployHQ
While GitLab has built-in CI/CD capabilities, DeployHQ can complement your workflow by providing:
- Simple deployment workflows
- Multi-server support
- Detailed deployment logs
- Easy integration with various repository types
Conclusion
Deploying GitLab on a VPS provides a robust, self-hosted solution for your development workflow. With careful configuration, regular maintenance, and proper storage management, you can create a powerful DevOps platform tailored to your needs.
Pro Tip: Always keep your GitLab installation updated to ensure you have the latest features and security patches. Regularly monitor your storage usage and plan for scalability.
Have questions about GitLab deployment or want to streamline your deployment process? Contact DeployHQ today!
