Tag: howto

How To Create A Scalable Jenkins CI/CD Environment Using Containers?

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

Jenkins is a platform for creating a Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) environment. It is written in Java and provides support for various version control tools such as Git, running Bash scripts and Windows batch files, building Ant and Apache Maven-based projects, and more. Jenkins helps build, test, and continually deploy software. It is an open-source system and one of the leading automation servers. Jenkins requires scripting some automation steps, but it provides a fast and robust way to systematize the software development lifecycle. The program runs web containers and plugins, such as Apache Tomcat, and helps manage lifecycle and access rights requests. Over 1700 plugins for Jenkins enrich the software integration, automation, and delivery processes and provide a customizable environment. Jenkins is used for the whole software delivery pipeline, including deployment.

Continue reading “How To Create A Scalable Jenkins CI/CD Environment Using Containers?” →

Streamlining IT Operations: Getting Started with Ansible Automation in 2024!

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

In the fast-paced world of technology, efficiency and automation are key to staying competitive and managing resources effectively. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are no exception, and one powerful tool for automating IT operations is Ansible. We -at Tom’s IT Cafe- start a new series of blog posts where, we will guide you through the process of installing and getting started with Ansible in a small company to kickstart your automation journey.

Continue reading “Streamlining IT Operations: Getting Started with Ansible Automation in 2024!” →

Getting Started with Ansible Execution Environments: A Quick Guide

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

Ansible is a powerful automation and configuration management tool widely used in the DevOps world. One of the recent additions to Ansible is Execution Environments, which simplifies the management of Ansible collections and dependencies. In this blog post, we will explore what Ansible Execution Environments are and provide a quick start guide to help you get started.

Continue reading “Getting Started with Ansible Execution Environments: A Quick Guide” →

Installing ZoneMinder Camera System on Debian Bookworm

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

ZoneMinder is a popular open-source video surveillance and security application that allows users to monitor and record video streams from various types of cameras. If you’re running Debian Bookworm and looking to set up a robust surveillance system, ZoneMinder is an excellent choice. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to install ZoneMinder on Debian Bookworm.

Continue reading “Installing ZoneMinder Camera System on Debian Bookworm” →

Rundeck Unleashed: Accelerating DevOps Workflows with Self-Service Empowerment

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

As DevOps practitioners, we’re always on the lookout for new tools that can help us streamline our workflows and improve our processes. One such tool that we’ve recently been exploring is Rundeck, an open-source automation platform that can help us manage and execute our jobs and tasks more efficiently.

Continue reading “Rundeck Unleashed: Accelerating DevOps Workflows with Self-Service Empowerment” →

A Guide For Configuring and Hosting an In-House Docker Registry

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

Docker has revolutionized the way we build, ship, and run applications by containerizing them. One critical component of a well-managed container ecosystem is a Docker registry. While Docker Hub is a popular choice for hosting container images, there are compelling reasons to set up an in-house Docker registry. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to configure and host your own Docker registry, ensuring control, security, and efficiency in your containerized environment.

Continue reading “A Guide For Configuring and Hosting an In-House Docker Registry” →

Securing Ansible Automation with Single Entry Points: SSH Jump Hosts

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

Using SSH jump hosts (also known as bastion hosts or SSH gateways) with Ansible allows you to securely access and manage servers in a remote network or behind a firewall. Jump hosts act as intermediaries, forwarding your SSH connection to the target hosts. You can configure Ansible to use jump hosts for managing remote servers. Here’s how to set it up:

Continue reading “Securing Ansible Automation with Single Entry Points: SSH Jump Hosts” →

Containerized Confidence: Testing Ansible Roles with Molecule and Podman on Debian Linux

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

Testing Ansible roles is a crucial step in ensuring the reliability and correctness of your infrastructure automation. Among the various tools available for this purpose, Molecule stands out as a versatile framework for testing Ansible roles. When coupled with Podman, a containerization tool similar to Docker, it provides a seamless and efficient environment for testing Ansible roles on Debian Linux. In this blog post, we will explore the process of setting up Molecule with Podman on Debian Linux.

Continue reading “Containerized Confidence: Testing Ansible Roles with Molecule and Podman on Debian Linux” →

SSH Tunneling, Jump Hosts and Security In Real Practice

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

SSH tunneling is a method for securely transmitting network traffic between two devices, typically a local machine (client) and a remote server, using the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol. It creates an encrypted communication channel over an untrusted network, such as the internet, to protect the data being transmitted. SSH tunneling can be used for various purposes, including forwarding ports, accessing remote resources, and enhancing security.

Continue reading “SSH Tunneling, Jump Hosts and Security In Real Practice” →

A Comprehensive Guide to Configure SSH Connections in Ansible

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

Ansible, a powerful open-source automation tool, simplifies the management of infrastructure, applications, and data across your IT environment. At the heart of Ansible’s magic lies SSH (Secure Shell) – the trusted protocol for secure remote access. Configuring SSH connections in Ansible is a fundamental step in reaching its capabilities for server provisioning, configuration management, and application deployment. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up SSH connections in Ansible to help you automate your infrastructure efficiently and securely.

Continue reading “A Comprehensive Guide to Configure SSH Connections in Ansible” →

Mastering the Essential Soft Skills for IT Architects and DevOps Engineers

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

In the dynamic world of technology, the role of IT architects and DevOps engineers has become increasingly vital. These professionals are responsible for designing and implementing robust IT infrastructures and ensuring efficient software development and deployment processes. While technical prowess is undoubtedly crucial, it is the mastery of soft skills that truly sets outstanding IT architects and DevOps engineers apart. In this blog post, we will explore the essential soft skills required for success in these roles and how they contribute to building exceptional IT solutions.

Continue reading “Mastering the Essential Soft Skills for IT Architects and DevOps Engineers” →

Unveiling the Path to Ethical Hacking Engagements: A Beginner’s Guide

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, has evolved into a vital field in today’s cybersecurity landscape. As organizations prioritize safeguarding their digital assets, the demand for skilled ethical hackers is on the rise. However, stepping into this field can be challenging without the right approach. In this blog post, we will explore how to find ethical hacking engagements and provide a roadmap for aspiring ethical hackers to start their journey in this rewarding but demanding domain.

Continue reading “Unveiling the Path to Ethical Hacking Engagements: A Beginner’s Guide” →

Speeding Up Network Configuration In The Lab With Ansible And Templates

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

Ansible, an open-source automation tool, helps system administrators and DevOps teams to efficiently manage infrastructure and streamline complex tasks. One of Ansible’s powerful features is the use of templates, which allows for the dynamic generation of configuration files and other resources. Here we will go through a real-world network configuration of a small lab environment.

Continue reading “Speeding Up Network Configuration In The Lab With Ansible And Templates” →

TryHackMe | Simple CTF – Modern Solution (2023) Working Exploit With Docker.io

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

If you have been doing the TryHackMe Simple CTF challenge recently, you may have ran into the problem that the original exploit is written in Python 2 for Ubuntu 18.04. The script can be converted or rewritten to Python 3, but my Debian Bookworm attack box had issues running it and showing the result. I came up with a quick solution using docker.io.

Continue reading “TryHackMe | Simple CTF – Modern Solution (2023) Working Exploit With Docker.io” →

Docker Compose vs. Docker Swarm: Choosing the Right Orchestration Tool

~ Tom's IT Cafe ~ Leave a comment

In today’s rapidly evolving world of containerization and micro services, Docker has emerged as a powerhouse, providing tools to simplify the deployment and management of applications. Among its arsenal are Docker Compose and Docker Swarm, two distinct tools that address different aspects of container orchestration. In this article, we’ll dive into the nuances of Docker Compose and Docker Swarm, highlighting their features, use cases, and how to make the right choice for your deployment needs.

Continue reading “Docker Compose vs. Docker Swarm: Choosing the Right Orchestration Tool” →