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The Easy Way to Install OTOBO – Docker and Docker Compose
Stop Wasting Time and Losing Your Mind: Tips for Admins
Hey there, OTOBO fans! Did you know that installing OTOBO with Docker and Docker Compose is a breeze? It’s not only easy but also our top recommendation.
So, what’s Docker all about?
Docker is a containerization platform that lets you run apps in isolated containers. These containers have everything they need to run the app, so devs and admins can deploy them quickly without worrying about compatibility issues.
We’ve been working hard to make OTOBO more powerful and scalable over the years. And we’ve also made it easier for our admins to get started with new software. We know how it goes: you want to introduce a new tool, but first, you need to find the right packages for your Linux distro, configure services… yeah, it’s a pain. And with OTOBO, you need all sorts of extras like a database, web server, caching, search functionality (like Elasticsearch), and tons of Perl packages. The problem is that those Perl packages are named differently or missing in every Linux distribution.
Once you’ve overcome that hurdle, the real challenge begins – documenting everything and storing changed configurations so your team can follow along.
But here’s the good news: with Docker, all that hassle disappears! Containers start up seamlessly, and all services work together like a charm. And documentation? It’s all there, explained step by step in the Dockerfile.
What’s the Deal with Docker Compose?
Docker Compose (or simply Docker Compose) is a tool that lets you define and manage multiple Docker containers. It makes working with Docker a whole lot easier by providing a simple way to configure and start containers. With Docker Compose, developers and admins can set up complex applications that consist of multiple containers.
A Quick Note: There are two variants of Docker Compose out there. The original project started the tool “docker-compose”, and later Docker itself released “docker compose” (yep, the only difference is a dash or space).
The good news is that it doesn’t matter which variant you use for your OTOBO setup – both work with current versions, and the scripts are designed to give you the flexibility to choose.
Getting Started: Once we run the command “docker-compose up” (or docker compose up), our container ensemble is up and running, perfectly isolated and in sync.
The SSL proxy container with NGINX only allows requests to be forwarded to the OTOBO container, not to the database or any other containers. Only the OTOBO container can access the database container – that’s how it should be. But what about our stats team? They still need direct access to the database so Grafana and friends can do their magic? The admin just changes one line in the Docker Compose configuration file, and voilà!
The Benefits of Installing OTOBO with Docker and Docker Compose
Installing OTOBO with Docker and Docker Compose comes with a ton of advantages:
- Quick Deployment: With Docker and Docker Compose, you can get OTOBO up and running in no time – we’re talking minutes, not hours or days. And the best part? No complicated configurations required!
- Isolation: By using containers, OTOBO runs isolated from other apps on the same server, which boosts security and stability.
- Flexibility: Docker and Docker Compose let you run OTOBO in different environments without needing to make changes to the app itself.
- Easy Scalability: With containers, scaling OTOBO to meet user demand is a breeze. Just add more resources, and you’re good to go!
- Simplified Maintenance: Docker and Docker Compose make maintaining OTOBO a whole lot easier by providing a simple way to update and manage containers.
Setting Up OTOBO with Docker and Docker Compose
Getting OTOBO up and running is a breeze when you use Docker images and Docker Compose configurations. You can have it deployed in just a few minutes, no sweat! And to make things even easier, there are already pre-built Docker images for OTOBO available on Docker Hub. Just combine them with Docker Compose and you’ll have a complex app up and running in no time.
All the necessary dependencies are already included in the Docker images, such as:
- Service db: MariaDB is built-in as the standard database.
- Service elastic: Elasticsearch is set up for OTOBO’s quick search functionality.
- Service redis: Redis provides super-fast caching.
- Service web: Gazelle serves as a speedy Perl web server.
- Service nginx: nginx is used as an option Reverseproxy for HTTPS support.
Want to know the nitty-gritty details of how to set up OTOBO with Docker? We’ve got you covered in our OTOBO Installation Guide.
Migrate Your OTRS System to OTOBO: A Seamless Transition with Docker and Docker Compose
Use our OTOBO migration tool to easily transition your existing OTRS system to a Docker-based OTOBO environment. All OTOBO migration strategies work seamlessly for both Docker-based and native installations.
When using Docker to install OTOBO, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. The most critical one: processes running inside a Docker container can’t access directories outside of that container by default. The only exception is when you mount volumes into the container, which allows access to those specific directories. Additionally, the MariaDB database running in otobo_db_1 isn’t directly accessible from outside the container network.
For more tips on navigating the migration process with Docker, be sure to check out our OTOBO Migration Guide and OTOBO Installation Guide.
Setting up Kerberos Single Sign-On with Your OTOBO Docker Installation
Want to take advantage of Kerberos Single Sign-On with your Docker setup? No problem! Configuring Kerberos works smoothly with both Active Directory (AD) and LDAP.
For a step-by-step guide on setting up Kerberos Single Sign-On, check out our OTOBO Installation Guide.
Company
OTOBO | Simplify work and create exceptional service experiences.
The Source Code Owner and Maintainer of OTOBO.
Software
Service Management Platform
OTOBO Demo
OTOBO Download
OTOBO Documentation
Report a security issues:
security@otobo.org
