Deploying the Application via Web User Interface

Creating a Project

This section explores how to use the Rahti Web User Interface to deploy an application. We can log in and press Create Project with a unique name that we denote with <project>, which you should substitute with the actual name.

Deploying the Application

Creating an Empty Image Stream

We need to build a container image for the application to deploy it on OpenShift. OpenShift is capable of building container images in the cloud. To perform the build, we need to login to Rahti Container Registry and create an empty image stream for our application with the following parameters.

• Name: genie
• Project: <project>
• Populate: Create empty image stream

Creating a Build Configuration

Next, we should switch to the Rahti Web User Interface and choose the project. Then, we can build the container image from the specified GitHub repository to the empty image stream on Rahti Container Registry using a build configuration. Start by selecting Import YAML/JSON, then copying and pasting the YAML configuration below.

apiVersion: v1
kind: BuildConfig
metadata:
  name: genie
spec:
  runPolicy: Serial
  source:
    git:
      uri: 'https://github.com/csc-training/GenieWebApp.jl'
  strategy:
    type: Docker
  output:
    to:
      kind: ImageStreamTag
      name: 'genie:latest'

The OKD documentation explains the build configurations in How Builds Work.

Starting a Build

Next, we need to initiate the container image build by navigating to the Builds tab, selecting genie build, and pressing Start Build. Once OpenShift has completed the build, we can deploy the image by selecting Deploy Image from the Add to Project menu and then deploying an Image Stream Tag with the following parameters:

• Namespace: <project>
• Image Stream: genie
• Tag: latest

Now, we have the application running on OpenShift.

Creating a Secure Route

By creating a route, we can expose the application to the internet. We can create a new route by selecting Create Route with the following parameters.

• Name: genie
• Hostname: genie.rahtiapp.fi
• Path: /
• Service: genie
• Target Port: 8000 → 8000 (TCP)
• Security: Secure route
  • TLS Termination: Edge
  • Insecure Traffic: Redirect

By selecting Secure Route, we enforce a secure connection via HTTPS. Therefore, our application should now be available under the address https://genie.rahtiapp.fi.

Setting Up Persistent Storage

We can set up persistent storage to the application by selecting Storage and then Create Storage with the following parameters:

• Storage class: glusterfs-storage
• Name: genie-volume
• Access Mode: Shared Access (RWX)

Next, we select Applications, then Deployments, and finally your Genie application deployment. From the Actions menu, select Add Storage with the following parameters:

• Storage: genie-volume
• Mount path: /home/genie/app/data

Now the persistent storage is mounted inside the Genie application's data directory.