Docker Essentials

Day 1 – Docker Fundamentals

Module 1: Introduction to Docker

• What is Docker?
• The benefits of containerization
• Docker vs. Virtual Machines
• How Docker fits into modern software development

Module 2: Getting Started with Docker

• Installing Docker
• Understanding Docker architecture (Docker Engine, CLI, Daemon)
• First steps: Running your first container
• Working with images and containers

Module 3: Core Docker Commands

• Managing containers: run, start, stop, restart, rm
• Inspecting containers with inspect, logs, stats
• Managing images: pull, push, rmi, tag
• Understanding layers and caching in Docker

Module 4: Working with Dockerfiles

• What is a Dockerfile?
• Writing and optimizing Dockerfiles
• Key instructions:
  • FROM, RUN, COPY, ADD, CMD, ENTRYPOINT, EXPOSE, VOLUME, ENV, ARG, WORKDIR, USER
• Understanding build context and caching
• Multi-stage builds for efficient image creation

Module 5: Data Persistence in Docker

• Understanding data persistence challenges
• Using bind mounts and volumes
• The VOLUME instruction
• Best practices for managing persistent data

Module 6: Container Lifecycle and Process Management

• Understanding CMD vs. ENTRYPOINT
• Handling signals: SIGTERM and graceful shutdowns
• Container logs and troubleshooting

Day 2 – Advanced Docker & Introduction to Kubernetes

Module 7: Docker Image Management and Best Practices

• Committing changes with docker commit
• Tagging images (docker tag)
• Using labels (LABEL)
• Optimizing images for size and performance
• Security best practices in Docker

Module 8: The Docker Registry

• Understanding image registries (Docker Hub, Harbor)
• Pushing and pulling images
• Setting up a private registry
• Registry best practices for security and efficiency

Module 9: Working with Docker Compose

• Why use docker-compose?
• Writing docker-compose.yml files
• Managing multi-container applications
• Defining services, networks, and volumes
• Best practices for using Docker Compose

Module 10: Introduction to Kubernetes

• What is Kubernetes?
• Kubernetes vs. Docker Swarm
• Key Kubernetes concepts (Pods, Deployments, Services)
• Running containers in Kubernetes
• Next steps for learning Kubernetes

Hands-on Labs & Final Project

• Lab 1: Building and running a custom Docker image
• Lab 2: Creating a multi-stage Dockerfile
• Lab 3: Managing persistent storage with volumes
• Lab 4: Deploying a multi-container app using docker-compose
• Final Project: Containerizing an application and pushing it to a registry