Add a cluster using cluster certificates (DEPRECATED)

Deprecated in GitLab 14.0.

cautionCreating a new cluster or adding an existing cluster to GitLab through the certificate-based method is deprecated and no longer recommended. Kubernetes cluster, similar to any other infrastructure, should be created, updated, maintained using Infrastructure as Code. GitLab is developing a built-in capability to create clusters with Terraform. You can follow along in this epic.
noteEvery new Google Cloud Platform (GCP) account receives $300 in credit upon sign up. In partnership with Google, GitLab is able to offer an additional $200 for new GCP accounts to get started with the GitLab integration with Google Kubernetes Engine. Follow this link to apply for credit.
noteWatch the webcast Scalable app deployment with GitLab and Google Cloud Platform and learn how to spin up a Kubernetes cluster managed by Google Cloud Platform (GCP) in a few clicks.

Create new cluster

The certificate-based method for creating clusters from GitLab was deprecated in GitLab 14.0.

As of GitLab 14.0, use Infrastructure as Code to safely create your new cluster from GitLab.

The certificate-based method is deprecated and scheduled for removal in GitLab 15.0. However, you can still use it until then. Through this method, you can host your cluster in EKS, GKE, on premises, and with other providers. To host them on premises and with other providers, use either the EKS or GKE method to guide you through and enter your cluster’s settings manually:

Add existing cluster

If you already have a cluster and want to integrate it with GitLab, see how to add an existing cluster.

Configure your cluster

As of GitLab 14.0, use the GitLab Kubernetes Agent to configure your cluster.

Disable a cluster

When you successfully create a new Kubernetes cluster or add an existing one to GitLab, the cluster connection to GitLab becomes enabled. To disable it:

  1. Go to your:
    • Project’s Infrastructure > Kubernetes clusters page, for a project-level cluster.
    • Group’s Kubernetes page, for a group-level cluster.
    • Menu > Admin > Kubernetes page, for an instance-level cluster.
  2. Select the name of the cluster you want to disable.
  3. Toggle GitLab Integration off (in gray).
  4. Click Save changes.

Remove a cluster

Introduced in GitLab 12.6, you can remove cluster integrations and resources.

When you remove a cluster integration, you only remove the cluster relationship to GitLab, not the cluster. To remove the cluster itself, visit your cluster’s GKE or EKS dashboard to do it from their UI or use kubectl.

You need at least Maintainer permissions to your project or group to remove the integration with GitLab.

When removing a cluster integration, you have two options:

  • Remove integration: remove only the Kubernetes integration.
  • Remove integration and resources: remove the cluster integration and all GitLab cluster-related resources such as namespaces, roles, and bindings.

To remove the Kubernetes cluster integration:

  1. Go to your cluster details page.
  2. Select the Advanced Settings tab.
  3. Select either Remove integration or Remove integration and resources.

Access controls

See cluster access controls (RBAC or ABAC).

Troubleshooting

There was a problem authenticating with your cluster. Please ensure your CA Certificate and Token are valid

If you encounter this error while adding a Kubernetes cluster, ensure you’re properly pasting the service token. Some shells may add a line break to the service token, making it invalid. Ensure that there are no line breaks by pasting your token into an editor and removing any additional spaces.

You may also experience this error if your certificate is not valid. To check that your certificate’s subject alternative names contain the correct domain for your cluster’s API, run this: 

echo | openssl s_client -showcerts -connect kubernetes.example.com:443 2>/dev/null |
openssl x509 -inform pem -noout -text

Note that the -connect argument expects a host:port combination. For example, https://kubernetes.example.com would be kubernetes.example.com:443.