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Today, more than 80 % of global companies say they use open‑source solutions to develop their applications and reduce dependence on proprietary vendors. This trend is intensifying with the rise of hybrid cloud, digital sovereignty and growing automation needs.
In this context, the development forge, CI/CD pipelines and source‑code repositories play a central role:
the forge structures collaboration,
- pipelines ensure quality and security,
- repositories guarantee traceability and transparency of the code.
LINAGORA, a major French player in open source, supports organisations in deploying these essential building blocks by combining open‑source services, high‑level technical support and active involvement in the open‑source community.
What Is a Development Forge and Why Is It Essential?
A development forge is a centralized platform where teams manage:
- the source repository (code versioning with Git),
- ticket and issue management,
merge requests and code reviews,
project documentation,
integration with CI/CD pipelines.
At LINAGORA, the preferred tool is GitLab, a recognised leader in the open‑source ecosystem. GitLab enables management of open‑source projects as well as sensitive internal projects, offering fine‑grained access controls, branch rules and native pipeline integration.
Concrete example: a team developing a business‑critical API commits its code to a GitLab source repository, configures an automated pipeline that runs unit tests and security scans, then automatically deploys the API to a pre‑production Kubernetes environment.
This approach guarantees speed, reliability and security while reducing the risk of human error.
CI/CD Pipelines: Automation and Software Quality
CI/CD pipelines (Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment) are automated chains that handle every step from commit to deployment.
A typical pipeline includes:
Build : compile code, create Docker containers, generate artefacts.
- Tests : run unit, integration and performance tests.
Security analysis (DevSecOps) : dependency scanning (SCA), vulnerability detection, open‑source licence verification.
Validation : manual or automatic approval according to defined rules.
- Deployment : deploy to a Kubernetes cluster, an On‑Premise server, or a private/public cloud.
LINAGORA implements these pipelines with tools such as:
- GitLab CI/CD for automation,
Nexus Repository or Harbor for image and artefact management,
This methodology establishes pipeline management that conforms to industry standards, dramatically shortening time‑to‑production.
Repositories and Version Management: The Foundation of Quality
A repository is more than a storage space: it is the memory of any software project. LINAGORA recommends strict practices:
branch separation (main, develop, feature),
- mandatory merge‑request rules,
- automated hooks to enforce code quality,
secret and access management via GitLab or Vault.
These repositories host both open‑source community projects and confidential internal projects.
Key benefit: every change is tracked, validated and documented, facilitating audits, regulatory compliance and cybersecurity.
Tangible Benefits for Companies
Efficiency and cost reduction : no proprietary licences, automated testing and deployments.
Flexibility : pipelines adapt to cloud, hybrid, On‑Premise environments.
- Security and compliance (DevSecOps) : automatic scans, dependency management, code audits.
- Continuous technical support : through LINAGORA’s OSSA (Open Source Software Assurance) service.
Open‑source community : sharing best practices, contributing to tools, continuous innovation.
Overview of LINAGORA Services in This Area
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| CI/CD pipeline integration | Deployment of complete pipelines based on GitLab and open‑source tools. |
| DevSecOps consulting & audit | Security analysis, scan integration, compliance checks. |
| Repository management | Secure hosting of source repositories with GitLab, Nexus, Harbor. |
| OSSA technical support | Proactive maintenance and assistance for open‑source environments. |
| Training & onboarding | CI/CD approach, pipeline management, open‑source security. |
Why Choose LINAGORA?
- Recognised expertise : historic open‑source player in France and Europe.
- Public references : support for ministries and state agencies.
- Reliability : integration of leading tools like GitLab, with 24/7 technical support.
- Community involvement : active contributions to open‑source projects on GitHub.
- Digital sovereignty : On‑Premise and private‑cloud solutions, free from GAFAM dependence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you integrate a CI/CD pipeline with Kubernetes?
With GitLab CI/CD, you can configure runners that automatically deploy Docker containers to a Kubernetes cluster. LINAGORA assists clients with this integration, adding security and monitoring steps.
Are open‑source solutions really safe?
Yes. Through a DevSecOps approach, pipelines include automated scans (SCA, SAST, DAST) and manual controls. Moreover, open‑source code transparency allows audits by the open‑source community.
How does LINAGORA handle pipeline support?
Through OSSA, LINAGORA provides technical support with SLA guarantees, incident resolution, security updates and long‑term assistance.
Can we migrate from a proprietary tool (Jenkins, Azure DevOps) to GitLab CI/CD?
Absolutely. LINAGORA offers migration services to robust open‑source solutions like GitLab, preserving existing pipelines while enhancing security.
Conclusion : moderniser vos développements avec LINAGORA
Development forges, CI/CD pipelines and secure repositories have become pillars of every modern organisation. With its expertise, technical support services, deep involvement in the open‑source community, and use of tools such as GitLab, LINAGORA delivers a sovereign, reliable solution.
Transform your development processes: contact LINAGORA today for a comprehensive engagement on your open‑source projects and CI/CD pipelines.
