What is Jenkins X & How it Differs from Jenkins

Jenkins X is designed as a cloud-native Kubernetes-only software. It eases the process of working with Kubernetes. The users can create a Kubernetes cluster with a simple command and configure the cluster with build and deployment pipelines. With a single click, the code-base can be deployed to various environments. Jenkins X is otherwise called an extensible automation server that facilitates a hub for continuous integration & continuous delivery servers.

Jenkins X vs Jenkins

Jenkins X vs Jenkins seemed to be a highly confusing discussion when Jenkins X was introduced back in 2018. Jenkins X originated from Jenkins and has an easier user interface and latest features than Jenkins. Even though the main usage is to deploy applications to Kubernetes, Jenkins X simplifies the entire process by eliminating the need for external plugins and additional integrations.

Jenkins adapts to the existing process, whereas Jenkins X is highly configurable to change the process as per convenience. Jenkins uses the UI first approach by reading the configuration from the front end. The usage of plugins again limits it. In contrast, Jenkins X uses the CLI approach that makes the configuration easily controllable. It also harnesses the power of Jenkins 2.0 using helm chart and docker registry to build cloud-native applications easily.

Jenkins X is expected to be a cloud-native version of Jenkins specific to the Kubernetes platform, where no knowledge of configuration and setup is needed to get started.

Jenkins is a single monolithic installation running on a self-hosted platform. In contrast, Jenkins X is a suite of tools filling in the gaps and providing the API and glue and is hosted on Kubernetes.

Jenkins gives maximum freedom, minimum hand-holding, and is empty out of the box, whereas Jenkins X gives medium freedom, medium handholding, and is ready to work out of the box.

Features of Jenkins X

Jenkins X has a command-line tool that allows it to be installed inside an existing or new Kubernetes cluster. Pipelines are created automatically for the project.
Jenkins X can be integrated with Gitops to create different virtual environments for development, several stages of testing, several production servers, etc., with the help of Kubernetes namespaces. The configuration can be easily stored and read from the git repository. Patching the existing application becomes easier with this approach, and code migration can be done seamlessly from one environment.
Extensions can be added to Jenkins X. Extension is a type of code that runs at user-defined intervals in the CI/CD pipeline. There might be an external job running during certain times in some applications to purge the data per se. Such situations can be easily configurable with the help of Jenkins X.
Serverless architecture can be made use of with the help of Jenkins X. This can save a lot of CPU and memory resources. It can be run whenever required.
Jenkins X also creates a preview environment, like Sandbox, for every pull request so that the change can be validated quite easily. Before merging any pull request to the main branch, this feature lets the developers confirm whether their change is getting reflected. A comment is added to the Pull Request to let your team know the preview application is ready for testing with a link to open the application. So in one click, your team members can try out the preview.
Jenkins X depends on configuration as a code and uses tools like Helm, Monocular, etc.

Also Read : What is a Cloud First Strategy?

How Jenkins X Works?

Once the developer commits the code to the GIT repository, the Jenkins X is notified of the change, and it runs the project pipeline in a Docker image. Once the build is completed, the pipeline pushes the project's helm chart to the chart museum and its docker image to the registry. Jenkins X automatically merges the pull request to the main branch and runs the staging pipeline. The Staging pipeline runs Helm, which deploys the code to the staging environment. It can be installed in both Windows and Linux operating systems.

Jenkins X as an effective DevOps tool

DevOps is a process that combines software development and IT operations. DevOps determine the organization's ability to deliver applications and services at a good pace. It is directly related to the customer's satisfaction as the need for an efficient DevOps solution is vital. Rapid delivery is essential and can be done with an automated CI/CD pipeline. Scaling and reliability also prove to be major factors. Jenkins X and Jenkins plugins is one of the most commonly used tools in DevOps that combines all these requirements and eases the CI/CD process.

The DevOps model relies on effective tooling to help teams rapidly and reliably deploy and innovate for their customers. These tools automate manual tasks, help teams manage complex environments at scale, and keep engineers in control of DevOps's high velocity.

As DevOps gains popularity, more companies are looking for methods of delivering error-free software promptly. Jenkins X offers developers an easy and reliable way to meet today’s DevOps demands.

In the modern technological world, people with DevOps certification are essential for an organization to manage its applications efficiently. StarAgile helps you efficiently learn DevOps culture with Jenkins X and several other DevOps tools. It teaches you in and out about DevOps environment and make assures a 100% placement guarantee so that you can kick-start your career.

Conclusion

Overall, Jenkins X is a brilliant tool that ceases the worry of managing servers to run an application. Like installation and configuration, its underlying infrastructure facilitates more time for actual development and expedites CI/CD workflow. It does not mean to replace the legacy Jenkins, but it has got the best open source tools to let you assemble things for yourself. Also, with a simple addition of a test project to the solution, Jenkins X will enhance the automation testing capabilities in the pipeline.

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