Scaler
Academy
Data Science
Neovarsity
New
Skill Test
Free Masterclass
Search for Articles, Topics
Top Jenkins plugins for 2023

Top Jenkins plugins for 2023

By Shlok Gupta
5 mins read
Last updated: 26 Feb 2024
149 views
Topics Covered

Overview

Jenkins is a powerful and extensible automation tool with a vast array of plugins that enhance its capabilities. These plugins enable users to integrate with various tools, extend functionalities, and streamline continuous integration and delivery workflows.

From source code management systems like Git and SVN to build tools like Maven and Gradle, Jenkins plugins offer seamless integration. They also support testing frameworks, deployment to cloud platforms, notifications, and reporting. With over a thousand plugins available, Jenkins can be customised to meet diverse project requirements, making it a versatile and indispensable tool for modern software development.

What are Jenkins Plugins

Jenkins plugins are extensions or add-ons that enhance the functionality of the Jenkins automation server. They are designed to integrate with various tools and services, enabling seamless automation of different stages in the software development lifecycle.

These plugins provide specific features, such as integrating with version control systems (e.g., Git, SVN), build tools (e.g., Maven, Gradle), testing frameworks(e.g., JUnit, Selenium), and deployment platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Docker). They also facilitate notifications, reporting, and integration with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.

Jenkins plugins are developed by the Jenkins community and third-party contributors, ensuring a rich and diverse selection to suit different project requirements. They make Jenkins a flexible and powerful tool for orchestrating automated workflows in modern software development environments.

Top Jenkins Plugins and Their Features

1. Git Plugin for Jenkins:

The Git plugin is a prominent and essential tool among Jenkins plugins. It seamlessly integrates Jenkins projects with Git version control systems, providing a wide array of functionalities.

Features:

  • Features like pulling, fetching, checking out, branching, merging, tagging, and pushing repositories.
  • Empowers DevOps: Robust performance, security, and flexibility for effective utilization of distributed version control.
  • GitHub Access: Provides easy access to GitHub, functioning as a reliable SCM system and repository browser for multiple providers.

Plugin link: https://plugins.jenkins.io/git/

2. Jira Plugin for Jenkins:

The Jira plugin is a highly sought-after ticketing tool that effectively integrates Jenkins with Atlassian Jira Software (both Cloud and Server versions).

Features:

  • Enhances DevOps team's visibility into the development pipeline.
  • Open-source plugin that displays Jenkins builds within Jira.
  • Automatically transfers Jenkins data to Jira for seamless integration.
  • Tracks Jira issues directly from Jenkins for efficient issue management.
  • Recommends using a Jira service account during configuration for optimal plugin utilization. Plugin link: https://plugins.jenkins.io/jira/

3. Kubernetes Plugin for Jenkins:

The Kubernetes plugin is a valuable addition to the Jenkins plugin list, addressing the challenges of server scalability during simultaneous project runs.

Features:

  • Seamless integration of Jenkins with Kubernetes.
  • Automation of scaling Jenkins slaves in Kubernetes environment.
  • Dynamic creation of Kubernetes Pods for agents using Docker images.
  • Pods run and terminate builds upon completion.
  • Configuration involves adding Kubernetes cluster to Jenkins settings.
  • Operates smoothly with default configuration if Jenkins is on the cluster.

Plugin link: https://plugins.jenkins.io/kubernetes/

4. SonarQube Plugin for Jenkins:

The SonarQube plugin streamlines the integration of SonarQube, a tool for Continuous Inspection of code quality, with Jenkins. DevOps teams benefit from identifying bugs, vulnerabilities, and duplication, ensuring code quality before Jenkins builds code automatically.

Features:

  • SonarQube plugin performs code analysis during job execution.
  • Analysis reports are generated on the SonarQube Server.
  • Install SonarQube plugin through Jenkins' Manage Plugins section.
  • Use the Credentials plugin for secure credential storage alongside.

Plugin link: https://plugins.jenkins.io/sonar/

5. Docker Plugin for Jenkins:

The Docker plugin is a top choice for enhancing DevOps processes, allowing automatic spawning of Docker containers to run builds.

Features:

  • Docker plugin dynamically provisions Jenkins agent nodes from Docker hosts for builds.
  • Build process does not need to be aware of Docker.
  • Jenkins configuration includes Docker hosts and templates.
  • Jenkins Nodes become efficient platforms for running builds. Plugin link: https://plugins.jenkins.io/docker-plugin/

6. Maven Integration Plugin for Jenkins:

The Maven Integration plugin complements Jenkins' in-built Maven support by offering advanced integration features.

Features:

  • Triggers based on SNAPSHOTs.
  • Supports incremental builds.
  • Facilitates parallel build modules.
  • Allows post-build deployment of binaries.
  • Installation: Navigate to Jenkins' Manage Plugins -> Available -> Maven Integration plugin. Plugin link: https://plugins.jenkins.io/maven-plugin/

7. Amazon EC2 Plugin for Jenkins:

The Amazon EC2 plugin empowers Jenkins to initiate agents on EC2 or Eucalyptus and terminate obsolete instances.

Features:

  • Dynamic Scaling Benefit: DevOps teams can uphold in-house clusters while efficiently distributing excess build and test workloads to Amazon EC2 instances.
  • Artifact Copying: The plugin assists in seamlessly copying artifacts between different components or stages of the Jenkins pipeline.
  • Effective Load Management: It contributes to efficient load management within Jenkins by optimizing resource allocation and utilization.

Plugin link: https://plugins.jenkins.io/ec2/

8. Build Pipeline Plugin for Jenkins:

The Build Pipeline plugin offers an excellent visualisation tool for DevOps teams to view upstream and downstream connected jobs within the build pipeline.

Features:

  • Manual Triggers: Allows manual initiation of jobs that demand intervention prior to execution.
  • Historical View: Provides a retrospective perspective on pipelines, showcasing their past statuses.
  • VCS Revision Numbers: Status updates are tied to version control system (VCS) revision numbers.

Plugin link: https://plugins.jenkins.io/build-pipeline-plugin/

9. Blue Ocean Plugin for Jenkins:

The Blue Ocean Plugin elevates Jenkins' user experience by enhancing Jenkins Pipelines.

Features:

  • Provides profound insight into CD pipelines.
  • Facilitates seamless automation of CD pipelines.
  • Allows easy customization of Jenkins UI for DevOps team needs.
  • Ensures rapid responses and heightened productivity through thorough pipeline analysis.
  • Maximizes efficiency by integrating natively with branch and pull requests.

Plugin link: https://plugins.jenkins.io/blueocean/

10. Mailer Plugin for Jenkins:

The Mailer plugin enables DevOps teams to configure email notifications and alerts for build results.

Features:

  • Advanced options available
  • SMTP authentication, SSL, TLS, etc.
  • Facilitates seamless communication
  • Provides feedback on Jenkins builds

Plugin link: https://plugins.jenkins.io/mailer/

What to do if Jenkins plugins are not installed?

During Jenkins plugin installation, you might encounter some common issues that can impede the process. Here are a few of these challenges:

Abnormal Plugin Initialization: This problem can arise due to using an outdated Jenkins version incompatible with the specific plugin or facing network or firewall issues. To resolve it, ensure you have the latest Jenkins version or modify the plugin proxy source if network-related.

Plugin Not Found or Installation Failure: Similar to the previous issue, this occurs due to outdated Jenkins versions or network problems. In such cases, manually download the required plugins from the official Jenkins plugin website (https://plugins.jenkins.io/ ) and upload them manually.

Installing Jenkins plugins is crucial for an efficient DevOps workflow. At Opsera, this process has been simplified by creating microservices for many Jenkins plugins. With Opsera's assistance, DevOps teams can seamlessly integrate these microservices into their Jenkins environment, accelerating their software development to new heights.

Conclusion

  • Jenkins plugins are essential extensions that enhance the capabilities of the Jenkins automation server.
  • They enable seamless integration with various tools and services used in the software development lifecycle.
  • Jenkins plugins cover many functionalities, such as version control integration, build automation, testing frameworks, deployment to cloud platforms, and more.
  • The vast collection of plugins available allows users to customize and tailor Jenkins to meet their specific project requirements.
  • Popular Jenkins plugins include Git, GitHub integration, Docker, SonarQube, Kubernetes, Maven integration, and more.
  • Proper plugin management ensures efficient and automated workflows, streamlining the CI/CD process.
  • Users should stay updated with plugin versions and compatibility to avoid installation issues and maximize the benefits of Jenkins plugins.
  • Jenkins plugins significantly contribute to creating a powerful and flexible automation environment, making Jenkins an indispensable tool for modern software development.