GitLab Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions and their answers regarding the GitLab Service at MGB HealthCare:
Q: In general, why choose GitLab over GitHub or BitBucket or other repositories?
A: It’s free for users.
It’s secure.
It's an option for private repositories.
It integrates with MGB LDAP for user accounts management and it's on the MGB Network.
Q: Are there any requirements to access GitLab?
A: Yes – Internal account users must be on the MGB VPN, in order to access the site.
External user accounts do not need to be on MGB VPN.
Q: Are there any limitations on the number of projects and storage space?
A: Yes – Internal user accounts can have up to a total of 25 projects and up to 10 GB per project.
Users may request an increase to these limitations, for an additional cost.
Q: Does GitLab support CI/CD?
A: Yes - Common CI/CD tools like Jenkins and Travis can be integrated with GitLab.
Q: Can you put PHI on GitLab?
A: No - Absolutely NOT!
Q: Can external users be granted access?
A: Yes - Non-MGB users can be granted GitLab account access by having an internal user sponsor at MGB Healthcare.
** Please note: External user accounts cannot create groups or projects in GitLab.
Q: How up-to-date is the MGB instance of GitLab?
A: We run the community edition of GitLab and follow their release schedule.
Software updates are scheduled to occur at least once per quarter. If security-related releases are available, we aim to apply those as soon as possible.
With most software update cycles, there is a system downtime – we attempt to notify all users ahead of time for any upcoming downtime.
Q: I’ve seen some cool features in the cloud version of GitLab. Would there be available in the MGB GitLab instance?
A: It depends - We attempt to enable all cool and useful features in GitLab, but some features require additional setup and infrastructure, which prevents us from enabling it.
This can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Email your specific question to us, at: rcc@partners.org and someone will follow-up with you, directly!
Q: Is the data backed-up?
A: Yes – The repositories are backed-up nightly via the standard MGB TSM process.
We do, however, encourage you to create independent backups of your repositories
Q: What kind of support can we expect to receive?
A: Given the complexity of the application and the workflows that can be setup with Git and Gitlab, you can expect to receive best-effort support with a focus on the application’s main functionality, user access, and project setup.
Q: Is there documentation on how to use the service?
A: Much of the useful documentation can be found on the GitLab Site.
Q: How do I sign up for the GitLab service?
A: Go to the MGB GitLab and try to sign using your MGB ID and Password.
If you receive a message saying you are blocked from the system, email: rcc@partners.org asking them to activate your account.
** If you do not see your question here or just want to know more information on the GitLab Service, please email: rcc@partners.org