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How To Start Using Cyber@UC's Incus Server

Overview

Our implementation of Incus leverages GitLab integrated with Terraform to manage all server resources efficiently. This setup automates infrastructure provisioning through a pipeline that automatically deploys Terraform code committed to our GitLab Incus project repository.

Getting Started

To begin working with our Incus implementation, ensure you have access to the following:

  • VPN Access: Necessary for connecting securely to internal resources.

  • Certificate: Required to authenticate and securely access resources through the web interface. This is only required if you want a GUI view of all the resources that are currently running. (Certificate location: To be determined.)

Web Console

The Incus web console allows easy management and monitoring of server resources. Access it at:

incus.cyberatuc.org OR 192.168.2.23:8443

Important: Ensure you are connected to the VPN to access this link.

Steps to Access the Web Console

  1. Connect to VPN

    • Ensure your VPN client is running and connected.

  2. Navigate to Incus Web Console

  3. Authenticate with Certificate

    • Follow the certificate installation guide here.
    • This is only required once during your initial verification to the console.

Terraform Management via GitLab

Overview

Infrastructure changes are managed through Terraform code, version-controlled using GitLab. Committing Terraform files (.tf) to the Incus GitLab project triggers an automated pipeline.

Example Workflow

  1. Clone the repository:
git clone https://gitlab.example.com/incus-project.git
cd incus-project
  1. Modify Terraform Configuration:
# Example Terraform configuration
resource "incus_instance" "example" {
  name  = "example-instance"
  image = "ubuntu:22.04"
  type  = "virtual-machine"
}
  1. Commit and Push Changes:
git add .
git commit -m "Add example Incus VM instance"
git push origin main

  1. Pipeline Execution:

  2. GitLab pipeline is automatically triggered.

  3. Monitor pipeline status in GitLab under CI/CD > Pipelines.

Monitoring and Troubleshooting

  • Pipeline logs are available directly in GitLab under the pipeline view.

  • Common Terraform errors and solutions can be found in our [troubleshooting documentation (link TBD)].

Resources and Further Reading

Additional Information Needed