Change JENKINS_HOME on Red Hat Linux?

Question

I used this procedure to install Jenkins:

https://wiki.jenkins-ci.org/display/JENKINS/Installing+Jenkins+on+RedHat+distributions

After it was up and running I discovered the /var/lib/jenkins partition on my server is very small. I want to move it, but I do not want to change the user that it runs under. I am new to Linux and I'm stumped. How do I move it for example to my Home/Public folder? The "Jenkins" user doesn't seem to have a Home folder. Its running as a daemon on startup, so I have no idea where to configure those settings. Can I create a Home folder for the Jenkins user? How?

I read this article:

https://wiki.jenkins-ci.org/display/JENKINS/Administering+Jenkins

but do not understand HOW to "set the new Jenkins home". I have used the export command, and restarted the service, but the old path still shows up in the Manage Jenkins screens.

I've read the 2-3 similar questions on stackoverflow also, but there's always a big missing piece for me. Where to find that file where I change the path permanently?

Answer 1

Here's an easy way to solve your problem. First, move the Jenkins directory from /var/lib/jenkins to /home/jenkins. Then create a symlink at /var/lib/jenkins pointing to /home/jenkins. And of course, stop the Jenkins service before doing that.

sudo service jenkins stop sudo mv /var/lib/jenkins /home sudo ln -s /home/jenkins /var/lib/jenkins sudo service jenkins start 

Answer 2

I managed to change the home location for Jenkins by modifying content of /etc/sysconfig/jenkins file as follows:

JENKINS_HOME="/home/jenkins"