A Step-by-Step Guide For Jenkins Installation & Configuration

Mastering Jenkins: A Complete Guide for Creating an Effective CI/CD Pipeline
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Jenkins Installation: In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of installing and configuring Jenkins on your system. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully functional Jenkins installation ready to streamline your development workflow.


1. Prerequisites:

Before we begin, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

  • A compatible operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
  • Administrative access to the system
  • Internet connectivity
  • Java Development Kit (JDK) installed

2. Installing Java Development Kit (JDK):

Jenkins requires Java to run, so we need to install the Java Development Kit (JDK). Follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the Oracle website (https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-jdk11-downloads.html) and download the appropriate JDK version for your operating system.

Step 2: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the JDK installation.

Step 3: Verify the installation by opening a terminal or command prompt and typing the following command:

             java -version

If the installation was successful, you should see the JDK version information.


3. Installing Jenkins:

Now that we have Java installed, let’s proceed with the installation of Jenkins:
Step 1: Open a web browser and visit the official Jenkins website (https://www.jenkins.io/download/).

Step 2: Click on the “Long-term support release” to download the latest stable version of Jenkins.

Step 3: Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Choose the appropriate installation options for your system.

Step 4: Jenkins will start automatically once the installation is complete. Take note of the initial administrator password displayed in the console output.


4. Configuring Jenkins:

4.1. Accessing Jenkins:

Step 1: Open a web browser and enter the following URL:

             http://localhost:8080
Step 2: You will be prompted to enter the administrator password. Copy the password from the console output and paste it into the provided field.


4.2. Unlocking Jenkins:

Step 1: On the “Customize Jenkins” page, click on the “Install suggested plugins” option. This will install the recommended plugins for basic functionality.

Step 2: Wait for the plugins to install. This may take a few minutes.

Step 3: Create an admin user by filling in the required details.

Step 4: Once the setup is complete, click on “Save and Finish.”


4.3. Customizing Jenkins Installation:

Step 1: On the “Instance Configuration” page, you can customize the Jenkins installation according to your requirements.

Step 2: You can choose to install additional plugins or select the “Install suggested plugins” option for a basic setup.

Step 3: Click on “Save and Finish” once you’ve made your selection


5. Creating Your First Jenkins Job:

Now that Jenkins is installed and configured, let’s create your first Jenkins job:

Step 1: On the Jenkins dashboard, click on “New Item” to create a new job.

Step 2: Enter a name for your job and select the appropriate job type (e.g., Freestyle project, Pipeline, etc.).

Step 3: Configure the job by providing necessary details such as the source code repository, build triggers, build steps, and post-build actions.

Step 4: Save the job configuration.

Step 5: On the Jenkins dashboard, locate your newly created job and click on “Build Now” to trigger a build.

Step 6: Jenkins will execute the defined build steps and provide feedback on the build status and any issues encountered.


Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured Jenkins, and created your first Jenkins job. Jenkins provides a powerful platform for automating various aspects of software development and deployment, allowing you to streamline your workflows and enhance productivity. As you explore Jenkins further, you’ll discover its extensive plugin ecosystem and additional features that can be leveraged to optimize your development processes.


Remember, Jenkins is highly customizable, and you can tailor it to meet your specific requirements by installing additional plugins and configuring it accordingly. Continue exploring the Jenkins documentation and community resources to unlock its full potential.


By following this step-by-step guide, you are now well-equipped to start harnessing the power of Jenkins for your software development projects. Happy automating!


Note: The commands mentioned in this article are generic and may vary slightly based on the operating system and Jenkins version. Always refer to the official Jenkins documentation for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

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