Add mkcert notes and comprehensive changelog

Co-authored-by: prasadtalasila <9206466+prasadtalasila@users.noreply.github.com>

Author: Copilot

deploy/vagrant/CHANGELOG.md

@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+# Vagrant Installation Changes
+
+## Summary
+
+This document describes the updates made to the vagrant installation scripts and configuration based on improvements from issue #962.
+
+## Key Changes
+
+### 1. Node.js Installation via NVM
+
+**Previous**: Direct installation of Node.js v20.10 via nodesource repository
+
+**Current**: Node.js v22.x installed via nvm (Node Version Manager)
+
+**Benefits**:
+- Easy version switching
+- Better isolation of Node.js versions
+- Consistent with development scripts in `script/` directory
+- Allows users to manage multiple Node.js versions
+
+**Files Updated**:
+- `deploy/vagrant/make_boxes/dtaas/user.sh`
+
+### 2. Docker Compose Plugin
+
+**Previous**: Standalone docker-compose v2.20 installation
+
+**Current**: Docker compose plugin (docker-compose-plugin) installed with Docker
+
+**Benefits**:
+- Official Docker recommended approach
+- Uses `docker compose` command instead of `docker-compose`
+- Automatically updated with Docker
+- Better integration with Docker CLI
+
+**Files Updated**:
+- `deploy/vagrant/make_boxes/dtaas/developer.sh`
+
+### 3. Python Virtual Environment
+
+**Previous**: System-wide pip installations
+
+**Current**: Python packages installed in virtual environment (venv)
+
+**Benefits**:
+- Isolated Python environment
+- No conflicts with system packages
+- Consistent with development scripts
+- Better dependency management
+
+**Files Updated**:
+- `deploy/vagrant/make_boxes/dtaas/developer.sh`
+
+### 4. Updated Docker Image Versions
+
+Updated to match versions in `deploy/docker` and `deploy/services`:
+
+| Image | Previous Version | Current Version |
+|-------|-----------------|-----------------|
+| grafana | 10.1.4 | 11.5.2-ubuntu |
+| rabbitmq | 3-management | 4.0.7-management |
+| mongodb | 7.0.3 | 8.0.3 |
+| gitlab-ce | 16.4.1-ce.0 | 17.9.2-ce.0 |
+| gitlab-runner | N/A | alpine-v17.5.3 |
+
+**Files Updated**:
+- `deploy/vagrant/make_boxes/dtaas/user.sh`
+- `deploy/vagrant/make_boxes/dtaas/developer.sh`
+
+### 5. Vagrantfile Templates
+
+**New**: Created reusable Vagrantfile templates in `deploy/vagrant/templates/`
+
+**Templates**:
+- `Vagrantfile.make-box.template` - For creating the base DTaaS box
+- `Vagrantfile.single-machine.template` - For single machine deployment
+- `Vagrantfile.two-machine.template` - For two machine deployment
+- `boxes.json.template` - Configuration for two-machine setup
+
+**Benefits**:
+- Easier customization
+- Clear separation of configuration
+- Documented customization points
+- Version control friendly
+
+### 6. Documentation Updates
+
+All README files updated with:
+- Current software versions
+- Template usage instructions
+- Clearer setup steps
+- Note about mkcert as openssl alternative
+
+**Files Updated**:
+- `deploy/vagrant/make_boxes/dtaas/README.md`
+- `deploy/vagrant/single-machine/README.md`
+- `deploy/vagrant/two-machine/README.md`
+
+### 7. Additional Tools
+
+Added tools to align with development scripts:
+- `pm2` - Process manager for Node.js
+- `madge` - Dependency graph generator
+- `shellcheck` - Shell script linter
+
+## Migration Guide
+
+### For Existing Deployments
+
+1. **Node.js**: Existing installations will continue to work. For new deployments, nvm will be used.
+
+2. **Docker Compose**: Update your commands:
+   - Old: `docker-compose up`
+   - New: `docker compose up`
+
+3. **Python Packages**: For developers, activate the venv:
+   ```bash
+   source ~/dtaas-venv/bin/activate
+   ```
+
+### For New Deployments
+
+1. Use the templates in `deploy/vagrant/templates/`
+2. Follow the updated README instructions
+3. All new features are automatically included
+
+## Certificate Generation Note
+
+While openssl remains installed for backward compatibility, consider using [mkcert](https://github.com/FiloSottile/mkcert) for local development certificates. mkcert provides:
+- Automatic trusted certificate installation
+- Simpler workflow
+- Better browser compatibility
+
+## Compatibility
+
+- Base OS: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy)
+- Vagrant: Compatible with existing Vagrant installations
+- VirtualBox: No changes required
+- All changes are backward compatible for existing boxes

deploy/vagrant/make_boxes/dtaas/README.md

@@ -105,6 +105,12 @@ vagrant box add --name dtaas ./dtaas.vagrant
 #config.vm.box = "dtaas"
 ```
 
+## Certificate Generation
+
+For development purposes, you may want to generate SSL/TLS certificates. 
+While openssl is installed by default, consider using [mkcert](https://github.com/FiloSottile/mkcert) 
+as an alternative for easier local development certificate management.
+
 ## TODO
 
 1. Write a script for automating the above steps

deploy/vagrant/make_boxes/dtaas/developer.sh

@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ apt-get upgrade -y
 # docker-compose is now installed as docker compose plugin via docker-compose-plugin package in user.sh
 
 # Install openssl for certificate generation
+# Note: Consider using mkcert as an alternative for local development certificates
+# mkcert can be installed from: https://github.com/FiloSottile/mkcert
 apt-get install -y wget openssl
 
 # Install playwright tool for integration tests on browsers