Day-20.1-devops

This blog post explores GitHub Actions using self-hosted runners, detailing their configuration, advantages over GitHub-hosted runners, and a practical implementation guide. It also compares GitHub Actions with Jenkins, highlighting when to use each.

In the realm of Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), GitHub Actions has emerged as a powerful tool for automating workflows. In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of self-hosted runners in GitHub Actions, contrasting them with GitHub-hosted runners, and providing a step-by-step guide on how to set them up. Additionally, we will explore the advantages of using self-hosted runners and compare GitHub Actions with Jenkins, a widely used CI/CD tool.

What are GitHub Actions?

GitHub Actions allows developers to automate their software workflows directly within GitHub. It enables the creation of custom workflows that can be triggered by various events, such as code pushes or pull requests. The execution of these workflows can be done on runners, which are the environments where the jobs are executed.

GitHub-Hosted Runners vs. Self-Hosted Runners

GitHub provides two types of runners:

1. GitHub-Hosted Runners: These are managed by GitHub and are available for free for public repositories. They are convenient for open-source projects but come with limitations, such as lack of control over the environment and resources.

2. Self-Hosted Runners: These are runners that you manage yourself. They can be hosted on your own servers or cloud instances, giving you full control over the environment, configurations, and resources.

Why Use Self-Hosted Runners?

While GitHub-hosted runners are suitable for many projects, there are specific scenarios where self-hosted runners are advantageous:

• Private Repositories: If your code is sensitive or proprietary, using self-hosted runners ensures that your code does not run on shared infrastructure.

• Resource Requirements: If your project requires specific hardware configurations (e.g., high RAM or CPU), self-hosted runners can be tailored to meet these needs.

• Security Concerns: For applications with stringent security requirements, self-hosted runners provide better control over the execution environment.

Setting Up a Self-Hosted Runner

To illustrate the setup process, we will use an Amazon EC2 instance as our self-hosted runner. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Launch an EC2 Instance

1. Log in to your AWS Management Console.

2. Navigate to the EC2 dashboard and click on "Launch Instance".

3. Choose an operating system (e.g., Ubuntu) and configure the instance settings as needed.

4. Ensure you have a key pair for SSH access.

Step 2: Configure Inbound and Outbound Traffic Rules

1. After launching the instance, go to the "Security Groups" associated with your instance.

2. Edit the inbound rules to allow HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443) traffic.

3. Similarly, configure the outbound rules to allow the same ports.

Step 3: Register the Self-Hosted Runner with GitHub

1. Go to your GitHub repository and navigate to Settings > Actions > Runners.

2. Click on Add Self-Hosted Runner and follow the instructions provided.

3. You will receive a token that you must keep secure, as it grants access to your GitHub repository.

4. Run the provided commands on your EC2 instance to configure it as a runner.

Step 4: Update Your GitHub Actions Workflow

1. In your repository, locate the .github/workflows directory and open your workflow file (e.g., main.yml).

2. Change the runner label from ubuntu-latest to self-hosted.

3. Commit the changes to trigger the workflow.

Step 5: Verify the Setup

Once you push the changes, GitHub Actions should trigger the workflow on your self-hosted runner. You can monitor the execution in the Actions tab of your repository.

Advantages of Self-Hosted Runners

• Customization: You can install any dependencies or tools required for your project.

• Performance: You can optimize the runner's resources based on your project's needs.

• Control: You have complete control over the environment, which is crucial for sensitive applications.

Comparing GitHub Actions with Jenkins

As many developers are familiar with Jenkins, it’s essential to understand how GitHub Actions compares:

• Public Projects: For open-source projects, GitHub Actions is often the better choice due to its free resources.

• Private Projects: Jenkins may be more suitable for private projects, offering extensive plugin support and customization options.

• Integration: Jenkins has a mature ecosystem with numerous plugins, while GitHub Actions is still evolving in this regard.

inbound rules→ http,https

outbound rules→ http,https

download → all the step after this

Conclusion

In this blog post, we explored the concept of self-hosted runners in GitHub Actions, detailing their setup and advantages. We also compared GitHub Actions with Jenkins, providing insights into when to use each tool. By understanding these concepts, developers can enhance their CI/CD workflows and make informed decisions about their automation strategies.

Whether you are working on a public open-source project or a private enterprise application, mastering GitHub Actions and self-hosted runners can significantly improve your development process.