Draft: Agent installation solution validation
What's this issue all about? (Background and context)
GitLab has recently decided to integrate Flux into Agentk, which is the GitLab Kubernetes agent. The challenge is identifying the best approach for Platform engineers and Application Ops to install the latest version of the GitLab Kubernetes agent.
Possible solutions:
- Use the GitLab CLI to install agentk and Flux
- Use Helm to install agentk, use agentk to configure and install Flux
- Install the two tools separately, agentk with Helm, use Flux CLI to install Flux
- Install both with Terraform (flux, agentk)
- Install Flux with Terraform and have Flux install agentk
- Install Flux with Flux CLI and have Flux install agentk as part of the GitLab bootstrap process
What hypotheses and/or assumptions do you have?
- The easiest and quickest method for installing the GitLab Kubernetes agent and Flux will be through the use of the gitlab-cli.
- The most efficient and scalable solution will be to install Flux with Terraform and have Flux install agentk. This approach might lead to not installing agentk in some cases.
- Installing the two tools separately will provide the most control and customization for Platform engineers and Application Ops.
- Our customers buy into the single DevSecOps vision and needing to install multiple tools undermines this vision for them
What questions are you trying to answer?
- Which of the proposed solutions is preferred by Platform engineers for installing the GitLab Kubernetes agent and Flux?
- What challenges and obstacles are faced during the installation process?
- What pain points do users experience when installing and configuring the GitLab Kubernetes agent and Flux?
- What factors influence users' preferences for one solution over the other?
What research methodology do you intend to use?
Moderated Interview
What persona, persona segment, or customer type experiences the problem most acutely?
What business decisions will be made based on this information?
- Determining the preferred solution for installing the GitLab Kubernetes agent and Flux.
- Improving the installation process and addressing any challenges faced by users.
- Incorporating user feedback into the design and development process to enhance the overall user experience.
What, if any, relevant prior research already exists?
Who will be leading the research?
What timescales do you have in mind for the research?
We would like to finish the research by the end of March 2023.
Relevant links (problem validation issue, design issue, script, prototype, notes, etc.)
Edited by Viktor Nagy (GitLab)