Question 1

How to set up Backstage for a small team?

Accepted Answer

Start with the minimal deployment using Docker or Kubernetes, focusing on core features like the software catalog and TechDocs. However, Backstage is optimized for larger organizations, so expect overhead in configuration and maintenance even for small teams. Consider using managed services or lighter alternatives if resources are tight.

Question 2

Backstage vs using separate tools like Confluence and Jira for developer portals

Accepted Answer

Backstage integrates documentation, project management, and service discovery into a unified portal, reducing context switching. In contrast, separate tools like Confluence and Jira are more generic and lack Backstage's tailored workflows for microservices and standardized templates. Backstage excels in centralizing development ecosystems but requires more setup.

Question 3

What plugins are available for Backstage?

Accepted Answer

Backstage has a growing ecosystem of open-source plugins for CI/CD (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions), monitoring (e.g., Prometheus), and more, listed in the plugins directory. You can also develop custom plugins using the provided APIs to extend functionality. Check the community repositories and documentation for up-to-date options.

Question 4

How to create a custom plugin for Backstage?

Accepted Answer

Use the Backstage CLI and follow the plugin development guide in the documentation, which includes templates and APIs for frontend and backend extensions. Start by defining your plugin's functionality and integrating it with the software catalog or other core features. The community provides examples and support via Discord for troubleshooting.

Question 5

Can Backstage integrate with our existing CI/CD pipelines?

Accepted Answer

Yes, through plugins for popular CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitLab, or GitHub Actions, allowing you to display pipeline statuses and trigger builds within the portal. Integration requires configuring the plugins and may need custom adjustments to match your workflow. The extensible architecture supports most modern DevOps tools.

Question 6

What is the performance impact of running Backstage in a large organization?

Accepted Answer

Backstage can handle thousands of software components, but performance depends on deployment scaling, database choices, and plugin usage. Optimize by using efficient indexing in the catalog, caching strategies, and monitoring resource usage. Large deployments may require dedicated infrastructure and regular tuning to maintain responsiveness.

Question 7

How to migrate existing services into the Backstage software catalog?

Accepted Answer

Use the catalog's YAML descriptor files or APIs to register services, requiring you to define metadata and relationships for each asset. Automation scripts can help bulk import from existing sources like Git repositories or service meshes. Start with a pilot group of services to validate the process before full migration.

Catalog

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