Installing Rancher On CentOS 8

In this short article we will learn how to install Rancher on CentOS 8 operating system.

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of container orchestration and management, Rancher stands out as a robust solution that empowers organizations to streamline their containerized applications. This article explores the key features and benefits of Rancher, shedding light on why it has become a go-to platform for DevOps teams worldwide.

What Is Rancher ?

Rancher is an open-source container management platform that simplifies the deployment and orchestration of containers at scale. It provides a user-friendly interface and supports popular container orchestration tools like Kubernetes and Docker Swarm.

Key Features of Rancher

1. Multi-Cluster Management
   Rancher excels in managing multiple Kubernetes clusters seamlessly. It allows users to oversee and control diverse clusters from a centralized dashboard, facilitating efficient resource allocation and workload distribution.
2. Intuitive User Interface
   One of Rancher’s strengths is its user-friendly interface. Whether you’re a seasoned DevOps professional or a newcomer to containerization, Rancher’s intuitive design makes it easy to navigate and manage containers effortlessly.
3. Catalog of Applications
   Rancher simplifies the deployment of applications through its extensive catalog. Users can choose from a variety of pre-configured applications, reducing the complexity of setting up and maintaining containers.

Benefits of Using Rancher

1. Enhanced Productivity
   By providing a centralized platform for managing containers, Rancher boosts team productivity. It streamlines workflows, reduces manual interventions, and accelerates the development lifecycle.
2. Scalability and Flexibility
   Rancher adapts to the dynamic needs of your business. Whether you’re dealing with a small-scale project or a large enterprise-level deployment, Rancher scales effortlessly, ensuring optimal performance.
3. Robust Security Features
   Security is paramount in containerized environments. Rancher integrates robust security measures, including role-based access control (RBAC) and a secure communication framework, to safeguard your applications and data.

How To Install Rancher On CentOS 8

This section provides step-by-step instructions on installing Rancher. Include prerequisites, supported platforms, and any additional considerations for a smooth setup. Installing Rancher on CentOS 8 involves a few steps, including setting up a supported Kubernetes cluster and then deploying Rancher as a containerized application. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Prerequisites

• A CentOS 8 server with Docker installed.
• Kubernetes cluster (you can use tools like k3s, kubeadm, or others to set up a lightweight cluster).
  kubectl command-line tool installed on your CentOS server.

Step 1: Install Docker on CentOS 8

The first step is install Docker on CentOS 8 operating system. The Docker installation process is show below :

$ sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo=https://download.docker.com/linux/centos/docker-ce.repo
$ sudo dnf install docker-ce --nobest -y
$ sudo systemctl start docker
$ sudo systemctl enable docker

Step 2: Set up a Kubernetes Cluster

We can choose a tool like k3s for a lightweight cluster. Follow the k3s installation instructions from the official website: https://k3s.io/.

$ curl -sfL https://get.k3s.io | sh -

Step 3: Install kubectl on CentOS 8

$ sudo dnf install kubectl -y

Step 4: Deploy Rancher

Once you have your Kubernetes cluster ready, you can deploy Rancher as a Helm chart.

Add the Helm repository:

$ sudo kubectl apply -f https://github.com/jetstack/cert-manager/releases/download/v1.1.0/cert-manager.crds.yaml
$ sudo helm repo add rancher-stable https://releases.rancher.com/server-charts/stable
$ sudo helm repo update

Install cert-manager:

$ kubectl create namespace cert-manager
$ helm install cert-manager rancher-stable/cert-manager --namespace cert-manager --version v1.1.0

Create a namespace for Rancher:

$ kubectl create namespace cattle-system

Install Rancher using Helm:

 $ helm install rancher rancher-stable/rancher --namespace cattle-system --set hostname=rancher.bckinfo.com

Step 5: Access Rancher

Wait for the Rancher deployment to finish. You can check the status using:

$ kubectl -n cattle-system rollout status deploy/rancher

Once the deployment is complete, access Rancher through your web browser using the hostname you specified:

http://rancher.bckinfo.com

We will be prompted to set up the admin password. After that, you can log in and start managing your Kubernetes clusters using Rancher.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rancher stands out as a powerful tool in the world of container management. Its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and scalability make it an ideal choice for organizations looking to optimize their containerized workflows. Embrace Rancher, and unlock the full potential of your containerized applications.