How to Install StackStorm on Debian Latest

StackStorm is an open-source automation platform that allows users to integrate different tools and services. By creating rules, workflows, and actions, StackStorm can automate and streamline tasks, making it a powerful tool for DevOps, IT operations, and other related fields.

This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing StackStorm on Debian Latest.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, you should have the following:

  • A Debian Latest server with sudo access
  • Basic knowledge of the Linux terminal
  • Java 8 or later installed
  • Git installed

Step 1: Update packages and dependencies

We need to update our system's packages and dependencies to ensure we have the latest versions before proceeding with the installation of StackStorm.

To do this, open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install StackStorm

Add StackStorm's APT repository

StackStorm provides an APT repository that we need to add to the system's package sources. Run the following command to add the repository:

echo "deb https://packagecloud.io/StackStorm/stable/debian/ buster main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/stackstorm.list

You also need to add the repository key to avoid APT warnings. Run the following command to download and install it:

curl -L https://packagecloud.io/StackStorm/stable/gpgkey | sudo apt-key add -

Install StackStorm components

Run the following command to update the system's package sources and install the StackStorm components:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y st2

Step 3: Configure StackStorm

Configure RabbitMQ message broker

StackStorm requires the RabbitMQ message broker to handle communication between components. You can install it using the following command:

sudo apt install rabbitmq-server

After installing RabbitMQ, you need to enable and start the service:

sudo systemctl enable rabbitmq-server && sudo systemctl start rabbitmq-server

Finally, we need to create a user and grant the necessary permissions to access RabbitMQ. Run the following command to create the user:

sudo rabbitmqctl add_user st2devops st2devops

Then, grant the necessary permissions:

sudo rabbitmqctl set_permissions -p / st2devops ".*" ".*" ".*"

Configure PostgreSQL database

StackStorm requires a PostgreSQL database to store data. You can install it using the following command:

sudo apt install postgresql

After installing PostgreSQL, you need to enable and start the service:

sudo systemctl enable postgresql && sudo systemctl start postgresql

Next, we need to create a user and database for StackStorm. Run the following commands to create the user:

sudo su postgres
createuser --createdb st2admin

Then, create a database for StackStorm:

createdb st2
exit

Configure StackStorm components

We need to configure StackStorm components to use the RabbitMQ message broker and PostgreSQL database we installed in the previous steps.

Open the st2 configuration file using the following command:

sudo nano /etc/st2/st2.conf

Find the [messaging] section and edit it to look like this:

[messaging]
url = amqp://st2devops:st2devops@localhost:5672/

Change st2devops as per the RabbitMQ user created in the previous step.

Find the [database] section, and change it to look like this:

[database]
host = localhost
port = 5432
username = st2admin
password = <some_password>
name = st2
ssl = False

You can choose any password.

Next, we need to create the config file for the sensors:

sudo st2ctl reload --register-configs

This will create the file /etc/st2/st2.conf.d/sensors.conf.

Finally, we need to configure the authentication service used by StackStorm. Edit the following file using the given command:

sudo nano /etc/st2/st2auth.conf

Change the include_header and include_footer variables to look like this:

include_header = /etc/st2/httpd/conf.d/st2.api.conf
include_footer = /etc/st2/httpd/conf.d/st2.api.conf

Start StackStorm components

After completing the configuration, we can start the StackStorm services. Use the following command to start the service:

sudo st2ctl start

This command will start all the StackStorm components, including the API server, the workflow engine, and the action runner.

Finally, use the following command to check if the StackStorm service is running:

sudo st2ctl status

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to install StackStorm on a Debian Latest server. We covered the installation of StackStorm components, configuration of RabbitMQ and PostgreSQL, and how to configure StackStorm for use. With the StackStorm installation complete, you can now start creating your rules, workflows, and actions to automate and streamline your operations.