I Want to Setup Docker on My VPS and Setup Containers for Docker Image Registry, Gitlab and Watchtower

Introduction

In this solution, we will set up Docker on a Virtual Private Server (VPS) and deploy containers for a Docker image registry, GitLab, and Watchtower using Pulumi in TypeScript. Pulumi is an infrastructure as code tool that allows you to define and manage cloud resources using familiar programming languages. Docker is a platform that enables developers to automate the deployment of applications inside lightweight, portable containers. The key services involved in this setup are Docker, Docker Registry, GitLab, and Watchtower.

Step-by-Step Explanation

Step 1: Install Docker on the VPS

• Update the package index and install necessary packages.
• Add Docker’s official GPG key and set up the stable repository.
• Install Docker Engine and start the Docker service.

Step 2: Set Up Pulumi Project

• Create a new Pulumi project in TypeScript.
• Configure the Pulumi project with the necessary settings.

Step 3: Define Docker Provider in Pulumi

• Import the Docker provider in the Pulumi program.
• Configure the Docker provider with the necessary settings.

Step 4: Deploy Docker Image Registry

• Define the Docker image registry container resource in the Pulumi program.
• Configure the container with the necessary settings such as image, ports, and environment variables.

Step 5: Deploy GitLab Container

• Define the GitLab container resource in the Pulumi program.
• Configure the container with the necessary settings such as image, ports, and environment variables.

Step 6: Deploy Watchtower Container

• Define the Watchtower container resource in the Pulumi program.
• Configure the container with the necessary settings such as image, ports, and environment variables.

Step 7: Run Pulumi Up

• Run pulumi up to deploy the defined resources to the VPS.
• Verify that the containers are running as expected.

Key Points

• Docker is used to automate the deployment of applications inside containers.
• Pulumi allows you to define and manage cloud resources using familiar programming languages.
• Docker Registry is used to store and distribute Docker images.
• GitLab is a web-based DevOps lifecycle tool that provides a Git repository manager.
• Watchtower is used to automatically update running Docker containers.

Conclusion

In this solution, we successfully set up Docker on a VPS and deployed containers for a Docker image registry, GitLab, and Watchtower using Pulumi in TypeScript. This setup allows for efficient management and automation of application deployment, version control, and container updates. Pulumi’s infrastructure as code approach provides a scalable and maintainable way to manage cloud resources.

Full Code Example

import * as pulumi from "@pulumi/pulumi";
import * as docker from "@pulumi/docker";

// Create a Docker network
const network = new docker.Network("network", {
    name: "pulumi-network",
});

// Docker Registry container
const registry = new docker.Container("registry", {
    image: "registry:2",
    name: "registry",
    ports: [{
        internal: 5000,
        external: 5000,
    }],
    networksAdvanced: [{
        name: network.name,
    }],
});

// GitLab container
const gitlab = new docker.Container("gitlab", {
    image: "gitlab/gitlab-ce:latest",
    name: "gitlab",
    ports: [{
        internal: 80,
        external: 80,
    }, {
        internal: 443,
        external: 443,
    }, {
        internal: 22,
        external: 22,
    }],
    envs: [
        "GITLAB_OMNIBUS_CONFIG=external_url 'http://gitlab.example.com/'",
    ],
    networksAdvanced: [{
        name: network.name,
    }],
});

// Watchtower container
const watchtower = new docker.Container("watchtower", {
    image: "containrrr/watchtower",
    name: "watchtower",
    envs: [
        "WATCHTOWER_CLEANUP=true",
        "WATCHTOWER_POLL_INTERVAL=30",
    ],
    networksAdvanced: [{
        name: network.name,
    }],
});

export const registryUrl = pulumi.interpolate`http://${registry.name}:5000`;
export const gitlabUrl = pulumi.interpolate`http://${gitlab.name}`;
export const watchtowerUrl = pulumi.interpolate`http://${watchtower.name}`;