Create Registry Import Quick Start Guide for Experimental and Beta Support

Context

The container registry metadata database is being rolled out for self-managed users. We will soon start expecting users to migrate registry instances without direct guidance from the package team.

Problem

While we have existing documentation for various aspects related to imports, such as the tooling, and setting up development environments, this documentation is not suitable for self-managed users intending to migrate their registry instance. This extant documentation is intended for developer reference and contains information specific to development-related concerns, and is not presented in a way that colocates the required information linearly.

Solution

We should develop a guide which takes a naive user from having registry on object storage metadata to having a database-backed registry ready for experimental or beta support. Ideally, this guide should provide a general overview, linking to our more in-depth guides, while still providing the essential instructions in-situ.

Roughly, this guide should cover:

• Preparing a database for the registry
• Registry configuration for the database
• Making a backup of object storage
• Database Migrations
• One Shot Import vs Phased Import step-by-step process description
• Where to report any errors or feedback

Non-Goals

This documentation is not ended as final, polished documentation for a particular distribution platform, such as charts or omnibus. Additionally, this documentation should not make statements on best-practices, but rather provide early adopters with a framework from which to determine what suits their own situation the best.