Free Git Server Self Hosted: Complete Guide for Devs

Welcome, Dev! Are you tired of using GitHub or Bitbucket for your private projects? Are you looking for a free and secure self-hosted Git server? Look no further! In this article, we will guide you step-by-step on how to set up a free Git server on your local machine or cloud server.

Why Self-Hosted Git Server?

Before we dive into the details, let’s first discuss why you might want to host your Git server on your own machine. First, it provides complete control over your codebase and no one other than you and your team can access it. Second, self-hosting allows you to save money on monthly hosting fees. Third, with a self-hosted Git server, you can easily integrate your workflow with other tools like JIRA or Jenkins.

Now that you know the advantages of hosting your own Git server, let’s proceed to the next step.

Choosing the Right Git Server Platform

There are several Git server platforms available in the market, both free and paid. You need to choose a platform that fits your requirements. Here are a few of the most popular platforms:

Platform	Language	License
GitLab	Ruby	MIT
Gitea	Go	MIT
Gogs	Go	MIT

For this tutorial, we will be using GitLab, as it is the most popular and feature-rich Git server platform available.

Setting Up GitLab on Your Local Machine

Setting up GitLab on your local machine is quite simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Install Docker

Docker is a platform that allows you to run applications in isolated containers. GitLab provides an official Docker image that makes it easy to set it up on your machine. To install Docker, follow the instructions on their website.

Step 2: Install GitLab via Docker

Once you have Docker installed, run the following command to download and install GitLab:

docker run --detach --hostname gitlab.example.com --publish 443:443 --publish 80:80 --publish 22:22 --name gitlab --restart always --volume ~/gitlab/config:/etc/gitlab --volume ~/gitlab/logs:/var/log/gitlab --volume ~/gitlab/data:/var/opt/gitlab gitlab/gitlab-ee:latest

Replace gitlab.example.com with your hostname or IP address. Make sure ports 443, 80, and 22 are open on your machine.

Step 3: Access GitLab Web Interface

Once the installation is complete, you can access the GitLab web interface by going to http://yourhostname/ in your web browser.

You will be prompted to set up your Admin account. After you have done that, you can create a new project and start using GitLab.

Setting Up GitLab on a Cloud Server

If you don’t want to run GitLab on your local machine, you can set it up on a cloud server. Here’s how:

Step 1: Choose a Cloud Server Provider

There are several cloud server providers available, such as AWS, DigitalOcean, and Linode. Choose a provider that fits your requirements and budget.

Step 2: Create a New Instance

Once you have signed up for a cloud server provider, create a new instance with the following specifications:

• Operating System: Ubuntu 20.04
• RAM: 4GB or higher
• Storage: 50GB or higher
• IP Address: Static

Step 3: Install GitLab via Docker

SSH into your new instance and run the following command to download and install GitLab:

docker run --detach --hostname gitlab.example.com --publish 443:443 --publish 80:80 --publish 22:22 --name gitlab --restart always --volume /srv/gitlab/config:/etc/gitlab --volume /srv/gitlab/logs:/var/log/gitlab --volume /srv/gitlab/data:/var/opt/gitlab gitlab/gitlab-ee:latest

Replace gitlab.example.com with your hostname or IP address. Make sure ports 443, 80, and 22 are open on your machine.

Step 4: Access GitLab Web Interface

Once the installation is complete, you can access the GitLab web interface by going to http://yourhostname/ in your web browser.

You will be prompted to set up your Admin account. After you have done that, you can create a new project and start using GitLab.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Git server?

A Git server is a central repository that stores your codebase and allows you to manage versions of your code. You can push and pull code from the server and collaborate with other developers in your team.

What is a self-hosted Git server?

A self-hosted Git server is a Git server that you host on your own machine or server, instead of using a hosted service like GitHub or Bitbucket. Self-hosting provides complete control over your code and can save you money on hosting fees.

Why use GitLab?

GitLab is the most popular and feature-rich Git server platform available. It provides a complete DevOps solution with features like CI/CD pipelines, issue tracking, and JIRA integration. It also offers a free tier with unlimited private repositories.

What are the system requirements for hosting GitLab?

GitLab recommends at least 4GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores for small teams. For larger teams, they recommend 8GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores. You also need at least 50GB of storage for your Git repositories.

What are some alternatives to GitLab?

There are several Git server platforms available, like Gitea, Gogs, and Bitbucket. Each platform has its own set of features and limitations. Choose a platform that fits your requirements.

Conclusion

Congratulations, Dev! You have successfully set up a free Git server on your local machine or cloud server. You can now start using GitLab to manage your codebase and collaborate with your team. We hope this tutorial was helpful to you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments section.