How do I efficiently deploy a baseline datacenter instance configuration to new networks as needed?

[Rob]

I work in an environment where new customers each require a new instance of Jira datacenter in their independent networks. in no way do these instances interact. I CAN transfer files between these networks manually though.

Up to this point, I've been manually installing, configuring and setting up initial projects in each new Jira datacenter instance. 

I'd like to take as much of the gruntwork out of it as possible. So far, I've saved time by exporting some workflows and using those as imports for each new instance, and that saves me some time.

What do you recommend for my situation, if each new customer requires (roughly, see below) the same baseline configuration?

PS: I recognize I'll still be configuring the user LDAP server (again network specific) and applying usergroup permissions manually on an instance-by instance basis. but if that's all I have to do, then that would still save a LOT of time vs what I'm currently doing.

[Rebekka Heilmann _viadee_ · Accepted solution]

Hi @Rob 

"Efficiently" you would probably do it as a Docker Image (or similar). So configure what you need and replicate. Don't configure any users other than the local admin user. You'd only need to swap out the license key and it would work (theoretically anyway).

Problem is: Database connections and such would all use the same credentials, so not really safe. 

There is a guide from Atlassian on how to replicate a DC environment: Creating a test environment for Jira | Administering Jira applications Data Center and Server 9.12 | Atlassian Documentation

I've done it myself twice following the guide and wouldn't necessarily say that it was "efficient" or effortless ;) 

[Rob]

Thank you! I'll give that a shot- fortunately we're moving toward containerization, so this meshes perfectly with our current course!

I'll let you know if i have any questions though :)