Master Docker: Learn to Build, Ship, and Run Applications in Containers
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Docker has revolutionized the way we build, deploy, and manage applications. Whether you’re a developer, sysadmin, or IT professional, understanding Docker is a must-have skill in today’s tech landscape. This course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Docker, from the basics of containerization to advanced deployment techniques.

With real-world examples and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn how to create, manage, and deploy Docker containers effectively. By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to use Docker to streamline workflows, improve scalability, and deliver applications faster.

What You’ll Learn

  • Docker Basics: Understanding containers, images, and the Docker architecture.
  • Building Images: How to create efficient and reusable Docker images using Dockerfiles.
  • Container Management: Running, stopping, and managing containers with best practices.
  • Networking: Configuring container networks for communication and security.
  • Docker Compose: Managing multi-container applications with ease.
  • Advanced Techniques: Using volumes, environment variables, and scaling applications with Docker Swarm.

Who Is This Course For?

  • Developers: Looking to containerize their applications for easier deployment.
  • System Administrators: Aiming to optimize infrastructure and manage environments effectively.
  • IT Professionals: Transitioning to cloud-native architectures.
  • Beginners: No prior Docker experience required; we start from the basics.

Why Take This Course?

  • Practical, real-world examples and use cases.
  • Step-by-step guidance for hands-on learning.
  • Clear explanations to demystify complex concepts.
  • Access to resources and tools to apply Docker in your projects.

Course Format

  • Duration: Self-paced.
  • Lessons: A mix of text, videos, and interactive demos.
  • Exercises: Hands-on tasks to practice containerization and orchestration.

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Docker and Architecture

  • What is Docker? History and basic concepts of containerization.
  • Comparison: Containers vs. Virtual Machines.
  • Docker Architecture:
    • Docker Engine and its components (CLI, API, Daemon).
    • Image, container, and storage layer.
    • Alternative backends: ContainerD, CRI-O, and others.
  • Installation and initial configuration:
    • Docker Desktop vs. Docker Engine.
    • Installation on different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux).

Module 2: Practical Docker Fundamentals

  • Creating and running containers:
    • Run your first container with official images.
    • Basic commands (docker run, docker ps, docker stop, docker rm).
  • Docker Images:
    • Understanding image layers.
    • Using Docker Hub to download and share images.
  • Dockerfiles:
    • Building custom images from scratch.
    • Practical example: Building an image for a Python application.

Module 3: Docker Networking and Storage

  • Networking in Docker:
    • Introduction to network types (bridge, host, none, user-defined networks).
    • Configuring networks for inter-container communication.
    • Troubleshooting and network diagnostics.
  • Persistent Storage:
    • Introduction to volumes and bind mounts.
    • Creating and mounting volumes in containers.
    • Managing persistent data across restarts.

Module 4: Docker Compose

  • Introduction to Docker Compose:
    • What is it, and why use it?
    • Syntax of the docker-compose.yml file.
  • Building multi-container applications:
    • Practical example: A web application with a Node.js backend and MySQL database.
  • Scaling with Docker Compose:
    • Scaling services in an application.
    • Automatic restart and container dependencies.
  • Integration with networks and volumes:
    • Creating advanced network and storage configurations in docker-compose.yml.

Module 5: Scalability and Orchestration

  • Docker Swarm:
    • Setting up a cluster with Docker Swarm.
    • Creating and managing scalable services.
  • Introduction to Kubernetes:
    • Comparison with Docker Swarm.
    • Using Kubernetes as an alternative backend.
    • Basic concepts: Pods, Deployments, and Services.
  • Alternative backend: CRI-O and its integration with Kubernetes.
  • Horizontal scalability:
    • Managing applications with multiple container instances.

Module 6: Docker Security

  • Best security practices:
    • Limiting permissions and avoiding privileged containers.
    • Scanning images for vulnerabilities.
    • Configuring users and roles in Docker.
    • Network policies to protect applications.
  • Security in Docker Compose and production environments.

Module 7: Real-World Integration

  • Integration into CI/CD pipelines:
    • Practical example with GitHub Actions and Docker.
    • Automating builds and deployments.
  • Using Docker in development environments:
    • Setting up isolated environments for local testing.
  • Production deployment:
    • Best practices for deploying applications with Docker.
    • Using Docker in the cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP).

Module 8: Architecture and Alternative Backends

  • Internal architecture of Docker Engine:
    • Details of the Docker engine and its functionality with various backends.
  • Using ContainerD as a backend:
    • Benefits and advanced configurations.
  • Options for replacing the engine with CRI-O and its use in Kubernetes.
  • Impact of backends on performance and use cases.

Module 9: Troubleshooting and Resources

  • Diagnosing and solving common errors:
    • Logs, docker inspect, and other useful commands.
  • Monitoring containers:
    • Using tools like Docker Stats and Portainer.
  • Advanced resources:
    • Official documentation and community support.
    • Additional tools to optimize your workflow.

Extras:

  • Practical exercises at the end of each module.
  • Access to templates and pre-configured files for Dockerfiles and docker-compose.yml.
  • FAQ section on Docker and its ecosystem.