Use Container-backed Remote CLIs¶

Remote platform CLIs can be used in any shell after sourcing the generated remote CLI/client RC file. This RC file sets up the required environment variables and aliases for the remote CLI commands.

The following topics are discussed below:

Kubernetes kubectl CLI commands
Remote CLI commands with local files
Helm

Note

Consider adding this command to your .login or shell rc file, such that your shells will automatically be initialized with the environment variables and aliases for the remote CLI commands.

Prerequisites

You must have completed the configuration steps described in Configuring Container-backed Remote CLIs before proceeding.

Procedure

Kubernetes kubectl CLI commands ¶

Note

The first usage of a remote CLI command will be slow as it requires that the docker image supporting the remote CLIs/clients be pulled from the remote registry.

root@myclient:/home/user/remote_wd# source remote_client_platform.sh
Please enter your OpenStack Password for project tenant1 as user user1:

root@myclient:/home/user/remote_wd# kubectl -n kube-system get pods
NAME                                       READY   STATUS      RESTARTS   AGE
calico-kube-controllers-767467f9cf-wtvmr   1/1     Running     1          3d2h
calico-node-j544l                          1/1     Running     1          3d
calico-node-ngmxt                          1/1     Running     1          3d1h
calico-node-qtc99                          1/1     Running     1          3d
calico-node-x7btl                          1/1     Running     4          3d2h
ceph-pools-audit-1569848400-rrpjq          0/1     Completed   0          12m
ceph-pools-audit-1569848700-jhv5n          0/1     Completed   0          7m26s
ceph-pools-audit-1569849000-cb988          0/1     Completed   0          2m25s
coredns-7cf476b5c8-5x724                   1/1     Running     1          3d2h
...
root@myclient:/home/user/remote_wd#

Note

Some CLI commands are designed to leave you in a shell prompt, for example:

root@myclient:/home/user/remote_wd# openstack

root@myclient:/home/user/remote_wd# kubectl exec -ti <pod_name> -- /bin/bash

In most cases, the remote CLI will detect and handle these commands correctly. If you encounter cases that are not handled correctly, you can force-enable or disable the shell options using the <FORCE_SHELL> or <FORCE_NO_SHELL> variables before the command.

For example:

root@myclient:/home/user/remote_wd# FORCE_SHELL=true kubectl exec -ti <pod_name> -- /bin/bash
root@myclient:/home/user/remote_wd# FORCE_NO_SHELL=true kubectl exec <pod_name> -- ls

You cannot use both variables at the same time.

Remote CLI commands with local files ¶

If you need to run a remote CLI command that references a local file, then that file must be copied to or created in the working directory specified in the -w option on the ./config_client.sh command.

For example:

If you have not already done so, source the remote_client_platform.sh file.
```
root@myclient:/home/user/remote_wd# source remote_client_platform.sh
```

Copy the file local file and run the remote command.

root@myclient:/home/user# cp /<someDir>/test.yml $HOME/remote_cli_wd/test.yml
root@myclient:/home/user# cd $HOME/remote_cli_wd
root@myclient:/home/user/remote_cli_wd# kubectl -n kube-system  create -f test.yml
pod/test-pod created
root@myclient:/home/user/remote_cli_wd# kubectl -n kube-system  delete -f test.yml
pod/test-pod deleted

Helm ¶

Do the following to use helm.

Note

For non-admin users, additional configuration is required first as discussed in StarlingX Security: Configuring Remote Helm Client for Non-Admin Users.

Note

When using helm, any command that requires access to a helm repository (managed locally) will require that you be in the $HOME/remote_cli_wd directory and use the --home "./.helm" option.

Do the initial set-up of the helm client.
1. If you have not already done so, source the remote_client_platform.sh file.
```
% source remote_client_platform.sh
```
2. Complete the initial set-up.
```
% cd $HOME/remote_cli_wd
% helm init --client-only --home "./.helm"
```
Run a helm command.
1. If you have not already done so, source the remote_client_platform.sh file.
```
% source remote_client_platform.sh
```
2. Run a helm command. This example installs WordPress.
```
% cd $HOME/remote_cli_wd
% helm list
% helm install --name wordpress stable/wordpress  --home "./.helm"
```