OpenMetadata 1.8.8: Set Up Custom Admin User With Docker

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Hey guys! Ever wondered how to secure your OpenMetadata instance right from the get-go? Setting up a custom admin user in OpenMetadata 1.8.8 using Docker Compose is simpler than you might think. Instead of sticking with the default credentials, let’s dive into how you can define your own username and password for that initial admin access. This is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of your metadata management system.

Why Customize the Admin User?

Before we jump into the how-to, let's quickly cover the why. Using default credentials is like leaving your front door unlocked. Anyone with the default username and password can potentially access your OpenMetadata instance, which is a big no-no in terms of security. By setting up a custom admin user, you're essentially putting a strong lock on that door, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access and manage your metadata.

Moreover, customizing your admin user credentials is a best practice in any system deployment. It aligns with security compliance standards and reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Think of it as the first line of defense for your metadata repository. You want to make sure that this defense is as strong as possible, and that starts with unique, strong credentials.

Another significant reason to customize the admin user is to streamline user management. When you have a custom admin user, it becomes easier to track who is making changes and when. This is invaluable for auditing purposes and for maintaining accountability within your team. Using default credentials can make it difficult to pinpoint who made a specific change, potentially leading to confusion and security gaps. By creating a dedicated admin user with a unique identity, you gain better visibility into the actions taken within your OpenMetadata instance.

Furthermore, customizing the admin user allows you to integrate more smoothly with your organization's existing identity and access management (IAM) systems. You can align the admin user's credentials and permissions with your broader security policies, ensuring a consistent and secure environment across all your systems. This integration can simplify user onboarding and offboarding processes, as well as help you enforce the principle of least privilege, where users are only granted the access they need to perform their roles.

Lastly, setting up a custom admin user is a proactive step towards building a robust security posture. It demonstrates a commitment to data governance and security best practices, which can instill confidence in your stakeholders and users. By taking the time to configure your admin user properly, you are not only securing your metadata but also setting a positive example for the rest of your team to follow.

Prerequisites

Before we get started, make sure you have the following:

  • Docker and Docker Compose installed on your machine. If you don't have them yet, head over to the official Docker documentation for installation instructions. Trust me, it’s worth it for the ease of containerization!
  • A basic understanding of Docker Compose files. These files are your blueprint for setting up multi-container Docker applications.
  • OpenMetadata version 1.8.8 Docker Compose configuration files. You can usually find these in the official OpenMetadata documentation or GitHub repository.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Custom Admin User

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s how you can set up a custom admin user for OpenMetadata 1.8.8 using Docker Compose. This process involves modifying your Docker Compose file to include environment variables that define the admin user's credentials. Don't worry, it's not as daunting as it sounds! We'll break it down step by step.

1. Locate Your Docker Compose File

First things first, you need to find the docker-compose.yml file that you're using to run OpenMetadata. This file is the heart of your Docker Compose setup. It defines all the services, networks, and volumes that make up your OpenMetadata instance. If you've followed the standard installation procedure, it's likely located in the directory where you initially set up OpenMetadata.

If you're unsure where it is, a quick search in your terminal can help. Navigate to the root directory where you think OpenMetadata might be installed and use the following command:

find . -name "docker-compose.yml"

This command will search for the docker-compose.yml file in the current directory and all its subdirectories. Once you've found it, you're ready to move on to the next step.

2. Edit the Docker Compose File

Now, open the docker-compose.yml file in your favorite text editor. You'll need to modify the environment variables for the OpenMetadata service. Look for the section that defines the environment variables; it usually starts with environment: followed by a list of variables. This is where we'll add the custom admin user credentials.

You'll need to add or modify the following environment variables to set the custom admin username and password:

  • ADMIN_USERNAME: This variable will define the username for your custom admin user.
  • ADMIN_PASSWORD: This variable will define the password for your custom admin user.

Here’s an example of how you might add these variables to your docker-compose.yml file:

version: '3.8'
services:
  openmetadata-server:
    image: openmetadata/server:1.8.8
    # ... other configurations ...
    environment:
      - ADMIN_USERNAME=your_custom_username
      - ADMIN_PASSWORD=your_strong_password
    # ... other configurations ...

Replace your_custom_username with the username you want to use and your_strong_password with a strong, unique password. Remember, a strong password should be a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Don't use easily guessable information like your name or birthdate.

Make sure to add these environment variables under the openmetadata-server service. This is the service that runs the OpenMetadata application, and it's where these credentials will be used.

3. Apply the Changes

Once you've edited the docker-compose.yml file, save it. Now, you need to apply these changes to your OpenMetadata instance. This is done by restarting the Docker Compose services. Open your terminal, navigate to the directory containing your docker-compose.yml file, and run the following command:

docker-compose down

This command stops all the services defined in your docker-compose.yml file. It's a necessary step to ensure that the changes you've made are applied correctly.

After the services have been stopped, run the following command to start them again:

docker-compose up -d

The -d flag runs the services in detached mode, which means they'll run in the background, and you can continue using your terminal. This is generally the preferred way to run Docker Compose services in a production environment.

Docker Compose will now recreate the containers with the new environment variables you've defined. This includes setting up your custom admin user with the username and password you specified.

4. Verify the Custom Admin User

After the services are up and running, it's time to verify that your custom admin user has been set up correctly. Open your web browser and navigate to your OpenMetadata instance's URL (usually http://localhost:8585 if you're running it locally).

You should see the OpenMetadata login page. Now, try logging in using the custom username and password you set in the docker-compose.yml file. If everything went smoothly, you should be able to log in as the admin user.

If you encounter any issues, double-check the docker-compose.yml file to ensure that the environment variables are correctly defined and that there are no typos. Also, make sure that the services have been restarted after making the changes.

5. Secure Your Credentials

Now that you have a custom admin user set up, it's crucial to secure your credentials. Don't store your username and password in plain text in the docker-compose.yml file, especially if it's stored in a version control system like Git. Instead, consider using Docker secrets or environment variables to manage your credentials securely.

Docker Secrets are a way to store sensitive information, such as passwords, in a Docker Swarm cluster. They are encrypted at rest and in transit, making them a more secure option than storing passwords in environment variables.

Environment variables can also be used securely by sourcing them from a .env file or by setting them in your shell environment. This way, your passwords are not directly exposed in your docker-compose.yml file.

Here’s an example of how you might use a .env file to store your credentials:

  1. Create a .env file in the same directory as your docker-compose.yml file.

  2. Add your credentials to the .env file:

    ADMIN_USERNAME=your_custom_username
ADMIN_PASSWORD=your_strong_password

  3. Modify your docker-compose.yml file to reference the environment variables from the .env file:

    version: '3.8'
services:
  openmetadata-server:
    image: openmetadata/server:1.8.8
    # ... other configurations ...
    environment:
      - ADMIN_USERNAME=${ADMIN_USERNAME}
      - ADMIN_PASSWORD=${ADMIN_PASSWORD}
    # ... other configurations ...

  4. Ensure that the .env file is not committed to your version control system. Add it to your .gitignore file to prevent accidental commits.

By using Docker secrets or environment variables, you can significantly improve the security of your OpenMetadata instance.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. If you run into any issues, here are a few common problems and their solutions:

  • Incorrect Credentials: Double-check your username and password in the docker-compose.yml file or your environment variables. Typos happen!
  • Services Not Restarted: Make sure you’ve run docker-compose down and docker-compose up -d after making changes to the file. This is a crucial step.
  • Environment Variables Not Applied: Ensure that the environment variables are correctly placed under the openmetadata-server service in your docker-compose.yml file.
  • OpenMetadata Not Accessible: If you can’t access OpenMetadata in your browser, check if the services are running correctly using docker-compose ps. Also, verify that there are no port conflicts.

If you’re still facing issues, don’t hesitate to consult the OpenMetadata documentation or community forums. There’s a wealth of information and helpful folks out there!

Conclusion

And there you have it! Setting up a custom admin user for OpenMetadata 1.8.8 using Docker Compose is a simple yet crucial step in securing your metadata management system. By following these steps, you're not only protecting your data but also ensuring a smoother, more controlled user management experience. Remember, security is an ongoing process, so keep those credentials safe and sound!

By customizing the admin user, you're taking a proactive step towards securing your OpenMetadata instance. This ensures that your metadata is protected from unauthorized access and aligns with security best practices. Keep your metadata safe, guys! You can use the same steps to set up custom users in the future.