Introduction:
In this case study, we will delve into the step-by-step process of building and deploying a Human Resource Information System (HRIS) using Docker, Jenkins, and MongoDB. The HRIS is a web-based application designed to streamline HR functions, including employee information management, attendance tracking, leave management, and more. We will provide detailed insights into each stage of the project, from setting up the development environment to troubleshooting and implementing improvements.
The first stage of the project involves setting up the development environment. We will utilize Docker, an open-source containerization platform, to create isolated and reproducible environments for our application components. Docker allows us to package our application and its dependencies into containers, which can be easily deployed across different environments. By using containers, we ensure consistency and eliminate potential compatibility issues.
Next, we will explore the use of Jenkins, an open-source automation server, to streamline our build and deployment processes. Jenkins enables continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), allowing us to automate various tasks such as building, testing, and deploying our application. We will set up Jenkins pipelines to define our build and deployment workflows, ensuring efficient and reliable delivery of our HRIS application.
The data storage for our HRIS will be handled by MongoDB, a popular NoSQL database. MongoDB provides a flexible and scalable solution for managing our HR-related data, allowing us to store and retrieve information efficiently. We will design the database schema, create collections, and implement data access methods using MongoDB’s query language.
As we progress, we will develop the different modules of the HRIS application. This will involve designing and implementing the user interface using modern web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. We will leverage frameworks like React or Angular to build interactive and responsive UI components. Additionally, we will develop the backend logic using a suitable programming language like Node.js or Java, ensuring seamless integration with the database and external services.
Once the development phase is complete, we will focus on testing our HRIS application. We will employ various testing techniques, including unit testing, integration testing, and end-to-end testing, to ensure the functionality, performance, and security of our application. With the help of Jenkins, we will automate the execution of tests and generate comprehensive reports to identify and address any issues.
Finally, we will deploy our HRIS application to a production environment. Leveraging Docker, we will package our application into containers and orchestrate their deployment using container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes. This ensures scalability, fault tolerance, and easy management of our application in a production setting. We will also set up monitoring and logging tools to gain insights into the performance and usage of our HRIS application, allowing us to proactively identify and address any issues.
Throughout the case study, we will encounter challenges and obstacles that are common in software development projects. We will provide troubleshooting techniques and discuss potential solutions to overcome these challenges. Additionally, we will explore ways to enhance the HRIS application further, such as implementing additional features, optimizing performance, and ensuring security.
By following this case study, readers will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience in building and deploying a web based HRIS application using Docker, Jenkins, and MongoDB. This case study serves as a comprehensive guide for developers and DevOps engineers interested in containerization, automation, and modern web application development.
Collaboration with GitHub:
In the process of setting up the development environment for the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) application, several important steps were taken. Firstly, a GitHub repository was created to serve as a central location for hosting the source code of the HRIS application. Creating a repository on GitHub allows for easy collaboration, version control, and sharing of the codebase with other developers. In this case, a private repository was chosen to ensure the confidentiality and security of the HRIS application’s source code.
To access the private repository on GitHub, a Personal Access Token (PAT) was generated. The PAT acts as a secure authentication mechanism, granting access to the private repository. By generating and saving the PAT, developers can authenticate and interact with the repository without the need for their account credentials, enhancing security and facilitating future access.
Next, a local Git repository was initialized on the development machine. Git is a widely used version control system that allows developers to track changes, manage different branches, and collaborate effectively. By initializing a local Git repository, developers can track and manage changes to the HRIS application’s source code locally, providing a solid foundation for collaboration and version control.
The local Git repository was then connected to the remote repository on GitHub. This connection enables seamless synchronization between the local and remote repositories, allowing developers to push their local changes to the remote repository and pull updates from other collaborators. This connection ensures efficient collaboration, enables version control, and provides a central repository for the HRIS application’s source code.
Frontend and Backend Development:
During the development of the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) application, significant efforts were made to ensure the creation of a robust and user-friendly system. One of the key aspects involved in the development process was the front-end, which was developed using React. React is a popular JavaScript library known for its component-based architecture and efficient rendering capabilities. By leveraging React, developers were able to create a responsive and interactive user interface that enhances the overall user experience. The front-end of the HRIS application was designed to be user-friendly, allowing employees to easily navigate through different features and functionalities, such as managing personal information, tracking attendance, and requesting leaves.
In addition to the frontend, the backend of the HRIS application was implemented using Node.js. Node.js is a runtime environment that enables developers to build scalable and efficient server-side applications. Using Node.js, developers created API endpoints that handled various aspects of employee data and business logic. These endpoints allowed the frontend to interact with the backend, facilitating seamless communication between the
user interface and the underlying system. The backend implemented functionalities such as user authentication, data validation, and processing employee requests. Node.js, with its non-blocking I/O model, provided a performant and scalable foundation for handling concurrent requests from multiple users.
To store and retrieve employee information, MongoDB was integrated into the HRIS application as the database. MongoDB is a popular NoSQL database known for its flexibility, scalability, and ease of use. By leveraging MongoDB, developers could efficiently manage and manipulate employee data, including personal details, attendance records, and leave requests. The integration of MongoDB allowed for efficient querying and indexing of data, ensuring fast and reliable retrieval of employee information. Its document-based structure provided flexibility in adapting to evolving data requirements and facilitated the seamless integration of the database with the Node.js backend.
Overall, the combination of React for the frontend, Node.js for the backend, and MongoDB as the database contributed to the development of a comprehensive and efficient HRIS application. The front-end built with React provided a user-friendly interface, enabling employees to interact with the system seamlessly. The backend implemented in Node.js facilitated the processing of employee data and business logic, ensuring the smooth functioning of the application. And the integration of MongoDB as the database offered a reliable and scalable solution for storing and retrieving employee information.
Containerization with Docker:
- Install Docker Desktop.
- Created Dockerfiles for the frontend and backend components, specifying the base images and dependencies.
- Configured the Dockerfiles to copy the application code and install necessary packages.
- Built Docker images for the frontend and backend using the Dockerfiles. Run below command to create Docker images.
docker build -t <image_name> <path_to_dockerfile>
- Set appropriate name of your docker images. To verify your newly built docker images run below command.
Docker images
- Create your containers from your built images.
docker run myapp:latest
- Tested the Docker images locally to ensure they run correctly within containers.
- To view your containers run below command
Docker ps -a
- To set appropriate name to your container while creating containers run below command.
docker run -d -p 8080:80 --name mycontainer myapp:latest
Connection between Backend Container and Local MongoDB:
- Installed MongoDB locally on the development machine.
- Configured the MongoDB connection settings in the backend application to connect to the local MongoDB instance.
- dd the respective gateway IP in the MongoDB config file /etc/mongod.conf under bindIp in the network interface section.
- Verified the connectivity by running the backend container and checking for successful connection to the local MongoDB.
Continuous Integration and Deployment with Jenkins:
- Installed Jenkins on a VM to set up the CI/CD pipeline.
- Configured Jenkins to connect to the GitHub repository and pull the source code.
- Configure your PAT token to use in Jenkins.
- Created a Jenkins pipeline (Jenkins file) defining the stages of the pipeline: build and deploy.
- Configured triggers in the Jenkins to get repository update automatically initiate Jenkins builds.
Results and Benefits:
The successful implementation of Docker, Jenkins, and GitHub in building and deploying the HRIS application has brought significant advantages to the development process. The use of containerization and automation has streamlined the development workflow, enabling consistent and reproducible deployments. This approach has eliminated potential issues caused by differences in development and production environments. Collaboration among team members has been greatly enhanced through GitHub’s version control and pull request workflow, allowing for seamless collaboration and code integration. The integration of Jenkins’ CI/CD pipeline has resulted in faster and more reliable deployments, automating the build, testing, and deployment processes. With effective monitoring and error tracking, application stability and performance have been improved, ensuring a smooth user experience. The implementation of code reviews and a continuous improvement process has not only increased team productivity but also enhanced the overall code quality, resulting in a more robust and efficient HRIS application.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the adoption of Docker, Jenkins, and GitHub has had a transformative impact on the development of the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) application. These technologies have revolutionized the software development lifecycle, bringing about increased efficiency, scalability, and collaboration. With Docker, the application was containerized, allowing for consistent and portable deployments across various environments. Jenkins played a crucial role in automating the build, testing, and deployment processes, resulting in faster and more reliable deployments. GitHub’s version control and pull request workflow facilitated seamless collaboration among team members, enabling them to work concurrently and effectively manage changes to the codebase.
The combined benefits of these technologies have led to significant improvements in the development process. The streamlined workflow, made possible by Docker, Jenkins, and GitHub, has resulted in shorter development cycles and increased productivity. The application’s stability and performance have been enhanced through effective monitoring and error tracking. Additionally, the implementation of code reviews and a continuous improvement process has led to higher code quality and better overall application performance.
By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, the development team has achieved a more efficient and collaborative approach to building and deploying the HRIS application. The successful implementation of Docker, Jenkins, and GitHub showcases their effectiveness in modern application development. As technology continues to advance, these tools provide developers with the necessary tools and frameworks to build robust, scalable, and highly functional applications. The lessons learned from this experience can be applied to future projects, enabling developers to continually improve and refine their development practices. Overall, the integration of Docker, Jenkins, and GitHub has been instrumental in transforming the HRIS application development process, demonstrating the power of these technologies in accelerating and optimizing software development endeavors.
Osama Saeed
Junior Consultant
