How to Deploy Mattermost with Ansible and Docker: A Step-by-Step Guide

Imagine your team’s communication as a busy control center—Mattermost keeps everything organized, secure, and accessible in one place. This guide shows you how to automate the deployment of Mattermost in a Docker container using Ansible, streamlining setup and ensuring a robust collaboration platform. Perfect for IT admins and DevOps teams, this approach saves time and delivers a scalable, secure messaging solution. Let’s get your Mattermost server up and running in no time!

Why Use Mattermost with Ansible and Docker?

Mattermost is an open-source, self-hosted messaging platform that rivals Slack, offering team chat, file sharing, and integrations. Running it in Docker ensures a lightweight, portable environment, while Ansible automates the setup, reducing manual errors. Think of it as assembling a high-tech communication hub with a single blueprint. This setup is ideal for teams needing secure, customizable collaboration tools.

Prerequisites for a Smooth Deployment

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• Ansible 2.9+ installed on your control node.
• SSH access to a target server running a Unix-like OS (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS).
• Internet access on the target server for downloading packages.
• A basic understanding of Docker and YAML configuration.

Quick Tip: Verify SSH connectivity to your server before running playbooks to avoid interruptions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Deploy Mattermost

Follow these steps to automate your Mattermost deployment with Ansible and Docker.

1. Clone the Ansible Repository

Start by downloading the playbook from GitHub:

git clone https://github.com/Shipssv83/Ansible-Mattermost-Docker-Install.git
cd Ansible-Mattermost-Docker-Install

This repository includes all the playbooks and roles needed for a complete setup.

2. Install Ansible Galaxy Roles

Install the required roles to support your playbooks:

ansible-galaxy install -r roles/requirements.yml

To update existing roles, run:

ansible-galaxy install -g -f -r roles/requirements.yml

These roles handle server setup, Docker installation, and Mattermost deployment.

3. Configure the Inventory File

Create an inventory file to specify your target server:

vim inventory

Add your server details, for example:

[servers]
192.168.1.100 ansible_user=root

Replace 192.168.1.100 with your server’s IP address and root with your SSH user.

4. Customize Playbook Variables

Tailor the deployment by editing key variables in your playbook, such as:

vars:
  mattermost_volumes:
    - "config"
    - "data"
    - "logs"
    - "plugins"
    - "client"
    - "bleve-indexes"
  mattermost_url: "your-domain.com"
  timezone: "Europe/Warsaw"
  mattermost_db_user: "mattermost"
  mattermost_db_pass: "secure_password"
  mattermost_db_database: "mattermost_db"

What do these do?

• mattermost_volumes: Defines directories for storing Mattermost data (e.g., logs, plugins).
• mattermost_url: Sets the URL for accessing Mattermost.
• mattermost_db_user and mattermost_db_pass: Credentials for the database.
• timezone: Aligns the server’s clock (e.g., Europe/Warsaw).

5. Configure the Server Environment

Run the server setup playbook to prepare the environment:

ansible-playbook -i inventory --user root --extra-vars "host=servers" playbooks/server-install.yml

This playbook installs essential packages and sets the server’s timezone.

6. Install Docker and Docker Compose

Deploy Docker with this playbook:

ansible-playbook -i inventory --user root --extra-vars "host=servers" playbooks/docker-install.yml

This sets up Docker and Docker Compose, creating a foundation for running containers.

7. Deploy Mattermost in Docker

Finally, launch Mattermost:

ansible-playbook -i inventory --user root --extra-vars "host=servers" playbooks/mattermost-docker-install.yml

This playbook:

• Pulls the Mattermost Docker image.
• Deploys Mattermost in a container with configured data volumes.
• Sets up database connectivity.

Accessing and Configuring Mattermost

Once deployed:

1. Access Mattermost at http://<your-domain.com>:8065.
2. Log in with default admin credentials (set during deployment).
3. Create teams, channels, and users to start collaborating.
4. Integrate with tools like GitLab or Slack for enhanced workflows.

Pro Tip: Secure your Mattermost instance by enabling HTTPS with a reverse proxy like Nginx and updating admin credentials immediately.

Benefits of This Setup

This deployment offers:

• Automation: Ansible streamlines complex setups in minutes.
• Scalability: Docker containers make scaling or redeployment easy.
• Reliability: Persistent data volumes ensure your chats and files are safe.
• Flexibility: Customize Mattermost to fit your team’s needs.

It’s like building a custom communication hub that’s ready to grow with your team.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues:

• Check Playbook Logs: Review Ansible output for errors.
• Verify Docker Containers: Use docker ps to ensure Mattermost is running.
• Inspect Database Settings: Confirm mattermost_db_user and mattermost_db_pass match your database configuration.
• Test Connectivity: Ensure your server’s firewall allows port 8065.

Conclusion: Power Your Team with Mattermost

With Mattermost, Ansible, and Docker, you’ve created a secure, scalable communication platform tailored to your team. Your server is now ready to handle chats, integrations, and collaboration with ease. Ready to take your team’s productivity to the next level? Connect with us at 1it.pro or share your setup on blog.1it.pro to inspire others!

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