Docker is one of the most powerful tools that has enhanced the way we develop, ship, and run applications. In 30 days, learn Docker from being a novice to a pro-level Docker professional, whether you've just started your first steps with Docker or want to extend your Docker knowledge. By the end of this guide, you will be left with in-depth knowledge of Docker, from its basics to advanced topics on your Docker journey. You will also be quite capable of overcoming Docker in a production setup.
Each day, you will discover a new aspect of Docker, with a journey from the very fundamental basics up to more advanced units. You will get your hands dirty as you install Docker, issue commands, work on Docker networking, and more. Resources and links will also be shared to develop a profound understanding of several things.
The 30-Day Plan
There will be six major sections of this journey related to six key areas of Docker that build upon the previous one. In such a structured approach, you will be ready to understand Docker thoroughly, from simple things to absolutely complex concepts. Below is the detailed list of what you will learn day by day:
Introduction and Setup (Day 1-5)
During the first 5 days, you are going to lay the groundwork for your journey with Docker through the comprehension of basic architecture and how to set up your Docker environment. You will learn to create and manage Docker images and containers and see Docker Hub and Docker Cloud, where it's possible to share your work with the rest of the world. This chapter will also go into installations with various platforms to ensure that your environment is set up and ready for Docker development.
Day 1: Installing Docker and Understanding Docker Architecture
What We’ll Learn Today:
On the first day, we will be going through the core architecture of Docker. By understanding the structure of Docker, you will have a peek at how it works under the hood—something really core to mastering the tool. You will also install Docker on your system to be finally ready for working with containers.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Docker
- Features of Docker
- Docker Architecture
- Docker Installation on Various Platforms
Resources:
Day 2: Docker Images and Containers
What We’ll Learn Today:
We shall explore what makes a Docker image and container, being headlined among the Docker-area central components. We'll see how the image can be created and how that will eventually lead to its course of writing, compiling, and launching of containers. We will also cover the differences between images and containers and how to effectively manage them.
Topics Covered:
- What is a Docker Image?
- Creating and Managing Docker Containers
- Difference Between Images and Containers
- Working with Docker Container Commands
Resources:
Day 3: Dockerfile Basics
What We’ll Learn Today:
Dockerfiles are the source of truth toward building Docker images. Today you get an understanding of how to create one: what the general commands are, the syntax, and finally, best practices for creating efficient and re-usable ones.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Dockerfile
- Writing Your First Dockerfile
- Common Dockerfile Instructions
- How to Build a Web Server Docker File
- Best Practices for Dockerfile Creation
Resources:
Day 4: Building and Running Your First Docker Container
What We’ll Learn Today:
Now that you have the Dockerfile, it's time to build your very first Docker image and run it as a container. This practical task will walk you through the process of a docker build and docker run command, giving you firsthand knowledge of how to control the entire life cycle of a container.
Topics Covered:
- Building Docker Images from a Dockerfile
- Running Docker Containers
- Managing Docker Containers
- Understanding the Lifecycle of a Container
Resources:
Day 5: Working with Docker Hub
What We’ll Learn Today:
Docker Hub is more or less like a central repository of Docker images. Today, you get to know how to push an image to Docker Hub, how to pull images from it, and repository management. We will also get to know an overview associated with Docker Cloud – managing and deploying your containers into the cloud.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Docker Hub
- Pushing Docker Images to Docker Hub
- Pulling Docker Images from Docker Hub
- Managing Docker Repositories
- Overview of Docker Cloud
Resources:
Docker Networking (Day 6-10)
Networking is important to allow communication from container to container and between containers and other systems. During this course over the next 5 days, you will look at Docker networking in detail, from basics to advanced subjects such as bridge, host, and overlay configurations that are part of Docker Swarm. You will learn how you link containers and how to set up networking with multi-container applications.
Day 6: Introduction to Docker Networking
What We’ll Learn Today:
At the heart of Docker lies the concept of networking, allowing containers to communicate with each other and the host. Today you will look over basic Docker networking, how its different kinds of networks are set up, and its uses.
Topics Covered:
- Overview of Docker Networking
- Types of Networks in Docker
- The Role of Docker Bridge Network
- Basics of Container Communication
Resources:
Day 7: Bridge Networks
What We’ll Learn Today:
Today we will be talking about bridge networks. This is the default Docker networking setting. We will learn how to create and manage bridge networks. We will also see how to connect containers in the network to facilitate communication.
Topics Covered:
- What is a Bridge Network?
- Creating a Bridge Network in Docker
- Connecting Containers with Bridge Networks
- Best Practices for Using Bridge Networks
Resources:
Day 8: Host and None Networks
What We’ll Learn Today:
Today’s session will cover the host and none network options in Docker. You’ll learn when and why to use these networks and how they differ from bridge networks in terms of container isolation and performance.
Topics Covered:
- Host Network Overview
- None Network Overview
- Scenarios for Using Host and None Networks
- Configuring Containers with Host and None Networks
Resources:
Day 9: Overlay Networks
What We’ll Learn Today:
In most cases, Docker Swarm utilizes overlay networks so that containers on more than one host can easily communicate. We will look into how to create and use overlay networks to communicate safely and properly in distributed applications.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Overlay Networks
- Creating Overlay Networks in Docker Swarm
- Connecting Containers Across Multiple Hosts
- Overlay Network Best Practices
Resources:
- Overlay Networks in Docker
- Creating Overlay Networks in Docker Swarm
- Best Practices for Overlay Networks
Day 10: Creating and Managing Docker Networks
What We’ll Learn Today:
Rounding up the entire networking section, after today, you'll know how to configure custom Docker networks, control them, and solve network issues where necessary. This will give you the ability to establish and maintain stable network setups within Docker.
Topics Covered:
- Creating Custom Docker Networks
- Managing Existing Docker Networks
- Inspecting and Troubleshooting Docker Networks
- Network Configuration Tips
Resources:
- Creating Custom Docker Networks
- Managing Docker Networks
- Troubleshooting Docker Network Issues
Docker Storage and Data Management (Day 11-15)
Data management is considered the most crucial operation needed in the execution of applications with containers. In this 5-day package, you will learn about the storage options available in Docker, such as volumes, bind mounts, and tmpfs mounts. Manage data in the container, keeping that data persistent through container restarts, and you'll implement backups and restoration of Docker container data.
Day 11: Understanding Docker Storage
What We’ll Learn Today:
Proper storage management of Docker: How you can keep properly controlled data being generated by your containers, storage options in Docker: today you will get some insight into the kind of options and how you can effectively use them to maintain the container data integrity along with durability.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Docker Storage
- Types of Storage in Docker
- Using Docker Volumes, Bind Mounts, and tmpfs
- Data Persistence in Docker
Resources:
Day 12: Docker Volumes
What We’ll Learn Today:
Probably the most common Docker storage option is Docker volumes. In this course, you will learn how to create, detail, and manage your Docker volumes effectively for data storage purposes or data exchange among a number of containers.
Topics Covered:
- What is a Docker Volume?
- Creating and Managing Docker Volumes
- Using Volumes for Data Persistence
- Best Practices for Docker Volumes
Resources:
Day 13: Docker Registry and Image Management
What We’ll Learn Today:
Docker registry is an important part of the Docker ecosystem and provides a place where Docker images can be stored. Knowledge gained on Docker Public/Private Registries, how to push images into the Registries, and how to handle the Repositories well.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Docker Registry
- Docker – Public Repositories
- Docker – Private Registries
- Creating a Private Repository and Pushing an Image to That Private Repository
- Using Public Repositories To Host Docker Images
Resources:
Day 14: Bind Mounts
What We’ll Learn Today:
Bind mounts enable mounting a file or directory from the host machine inside a Docker container. Now you're going to learn how to use bind mounts, and when it's best to use them instead of the volumes property—primarily when working within certain development environments.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Bind Mounts
- Creating and Using Bind Mounts
- Scenarios for Using Bind Mounts
- Best Practices for Bind Mounts
Resources:
- Using Bind Mounts in Docker
- Creating Bind Mounts
- Bind Mount Best Practices
Day 15: Managing Data in Docker Containers
What We’ll Learn Today:
In continuation of the storage section and in today's class, you are going to learn to work with data inside your Docker containers: how to perform data backups and restore within data volumes and how to move data from container to container.
Topics Covered:
- Backing Up and Restoring Docker Container Data
- Moving Data Between Containers
- Managing Data in Persistent Storage
- Best Practices for Data Management
Resources:
Docker Compose (Day 16-20)
Docker Compose allows you to define and run multi-container applications with great comfort. In five days, learn how to manage complex applications using Docker Compose, define services of applications in the docker-compose.yml file, and learn how to manage networking and service scalability when everything is in a multi-container setup. This module will also cover properly structuring Docker Compose projects for optimized performance.
Day 16: Introduction to Docker Compose
What We’ll Learn Today:
Docker Compose is a tool for managing multi-container Docker applications. Today you are going to get your first introduction to Docker Compose—what it is, and more importantly, ways it can be useful in setting up your first multi-container application.
Topics Covered:
- What is Docker Compose?
- Introduction to docker-compose.yml
- Setting Up Your First Multi-Container Application
- Docker Compose vs. Docker CLI
Resources:
Day 17: Defining Services in docker-compose.yml
What We’ll Learn Today:
So, how does docker-compose.yml help us clear the services, networks, and volumes from our applications? Let's find out today how to structure and configure it to get a clean and efficient setup for your multi-container applications.
Topics Covered:
- Defining Services in docker-compose.yml
- Configuring Networks and Volumes
- Using Environment Variables in Docker Compose
- Managing Dependencies Between Services
Resources:
Day 18: Building and Running Multi-Container Applications
What We’ll Learn Today:
Docker Compose helps build and run multi-containerized applications with ease. Today is the day you're going to be composing an entire application of multiple containers again, running it with Docker Compose to have a sense of managing and debugging multiple-containered applications.
Topics Covered:
- Building Multi-Container Applications
- Running Applications with Docker Compose
- Managing Multi-Container Deployments
- Troubleshooting Multi-Container Setups
Resources:
Day 19: Networking with Docker Compose
What We’ll Learn Today:
Networking is one of the most important tasks in Docker Compose, where your containers are supposed to be in communication with/interacting with each other. Today, you will learn to set up and manage networking within Docker Compose so that you're sure there'll be reliable communication between your services.
Topics Covered:
- Setting Up Networks in Docker Compose
- Configuring Service-to-Service Communication
- Managing External Network Connections
- Troubleshooting Networking Issues in Docker Compose
Resources:
Day 20: Best Practices for Docker Compose
What We’ll Learn Today:
Following that, in this Docker Compose section, we will highlight some best practices to follow when using Docker Compose, with recommendations on your projects' structure, dealing with configurations, maximizing performance, and managing in production.
Topics Covered:
- Organizing Docker Compose Projects
- Using Version Control with Docker Compose
- Performance Optimization in Docker Compose
- Scaling Applications with Docker Compose
Resources:
- Docker Compose Best Practices
- Organizing Docker Compose Projects
- Scaling with Docker Compose
Docker Swarm and Orchestration (Day 21-25)
This is where orchestration in Docker comes in. In the next five days, you'll use Docker Swarm in practice to set up a Swarm cluster, deploy and scale services on the cluster, and do many other things that will make you a pro at managing your Docker nodes effectively. In Chapter 9, you're going to learn about the subtle differences that exist between Docker Swarm and Kubernetes; and with this information, we provide you with basic guidelines on how to choose the orchestration tool that best fits your use case.
Day 21: Introduction to Docker Swarm
What We’ll Learn Today:
Docker Swarm is a container-native orchestration tool by Docker, which helps manage a cluster of Docker nodes. Today, you have got an introduction to Docker Swarm and its key concepts such as nodes, services, and tasks.
Topics Covered:
- What is Docker Swarm?
- Introduction to Swarm Mode
- Key Concepts: Nodes, Services, Tasks
- Comparing Docker Swarm and Kubernetes
Resources:
Day 22: Setting Up a Docker Swarm Cluster
What We’ll Learn Today:
You will work on setting up a Docker Swarm cluster because you initialized the Swarm on a Manager Node and added Worker Nodes. Besides that, you will need to configure and maintain the Swarm to ensure high availability and optimal use of resources.
Topics Covered:
- Initializing a Docker Swarm
- Adding Nodes to the Swarm
- Configuring Manager and Worker Nodes
- Managing Swarm Nodes
Resources:
Day 23: Deploying Services in Swarm Mode
What We’ll Learn Today:
In Swarm mode configuration using Docker, a task can be considered anything that runs inside the cluster. Thus, today you will learn how to deploy and control services in Swarm mode, after which they are highly available and can be comfortably scaled.
Topics Covered:
- Deploying Services in Docker Swarm
- Configuring Services for High Availability
- Managing Service Constraints and Placement
- Updating Services in Swarm Mode
Resources:
Day 24: Scaling Services in Docker Swarm
What We’ll Learn Today:
One of the greatest features of Docker Swarm is being able to scale services. As you go through today's learning, you will understand how you could scale your services depending on demand—for better utilization of resources across any given cluster.
Topics Covered:
- Scaling Services in Docker Swarm
- Configuring Auto-Scaling in Docker Swarm
- Managing Resources Across Nodes
- Troubleshooting Scaling Issues
Resources:
- Scaling Services in Docker Swarm
- Auto-Scaling in Docker Swarm
- Resource Management in Docker Swarm
Day 25: Advanced Orchestration with Docker Swarm
What We’ll Learn Today:
To go further on Swarm, you will dive into more advanced orchestration techniques: rolling updates, service constraints, and node management with Docker Swarm. You will also learn how to put in place advanced security configurations.
Topics Covered:
- Implementing Rolling Updates in Docker Swarm
- Managing Service Constraints and Affinity
- Node Management and Draining
- Advanced Security Configurations in Swarm
Resources:
- Rolling Updates in Docker Swarm
- Managing Service Constraints
- Node Management in Docker Swarm
Advanced Docker Topics (Day 26-30)
As you reach the end of these 30 Days, you will get into more advanced topics like Dockerizing best security practices, how to Dockerize an actual application, monitoring considerations, and how to integrate Docker into a CI/CD pipeline. By the end of these 5 days, you'll have the confidence to apply Docker in production environments. It encompasses how to go about Dockerizing various applications regarding their architecture, starting from the most basic web app to the most complex services.
Day 26: Docker Security Best Practices
What We’ll Learn Today:
Security is an omnipresent necessity in any production environment. This day covers best practices for securing your Docker containers and their images, and your environment in general. We will learn how to manage secrets and configure secure networks.
Topics Covered:
- Securing Docker Containers
- Managing Secrets in Docker
- Using Docker Content Trust
- Configuring Secure Docker Networks
Resources:
Day 27: Dockerizing Applications
What We’ll Learn Today:
Application Dockerizing refers to the creation of a Docker image of an application. Throughout the following sections, you will learn about Dockerizing an array of such applications, ranging from simple web apps to complex services, with every emphasis on getting them ready for containerization in an easy and seamless way.
Topics Covered:
- Dockerizing Web Applications
- Dockerizing Databases and Microservices
- Best Practices for Dockerizing Legacy Applications
- Creating Efficient Docker Images
Resources:
Day 28: Monitoring Docker Containers
What We’ll Learn Today:
Of course, there's monitoring to keep your health and performance at its best for the Docker Environment. Today, you will learn how to set up monitoring for your Docker containers, such as with Prometheus and Grafana, to make sure your applications continue to run smoothly.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Docker Monitoring
- Setting Up Prometheus for Docker
- Using Grafana for Visualization
- Monitoring Best Practices
Resources:
Day 29: Logging and Debugging in Docker
What We’ll Learn Today:
Both logging and debugging are indispensable for the effective resolution of problems in your Docker environment. Today, we will learn logging and debugging strategies in Docker that will act as a way to zero in on mistakes and bugs, making it much easier to fix the precedent.
Topics Covered:
- Setting Up Logging in Docker
- Debugging Containers in Docker
- Analyzing Docker Logs with ELK Stack
- Best Practices for Docker Logging
Resources:
Day 30: Docker in CI/CD Pipelines
What We’ll Learn Today:
Last, but not least, it's all going to wrap up with how you could implement Docker with CI/CD pipelines in Jenkins, GitLab CI, or GitHub Actions—making the development and deployment of your projects much more exotic and easier.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to CI/CD with Docker
- Setting Up Jenkins for Docker
- Using GitLab CI with Docker
- Automating Deployments with Docker
- Exploring Docker in Kubernetes
Resources:
Conclusion
Congratulations! Over the last 30 days, you have learned from the basics—starting with the concept of Docker architecture—up to some advanced points such as Docker Swarm orchestration, security best practices, and CI/CD integration. Now this guide has given you the tools and knowledge required to work with Docker effectively in production environments. With that, keep going in the Docker journey: learning more about Kubernetes, advanced Docker networking, or contributing to Docker open-source projects. The skills you have learned over the last 30 days will be a very strong stepping stone in mastering containerization and orchestration.
A comprehensive 30-day guided tutorial to go from zero to hero in Docker, from basic installation, through solid basics of running and managing containers, all the way to advanced and interactive scenarios on how to deploy with cutting-edge orchestration strategies and best practices. By following this well-structured task, you will surely be ready to use Docker in work scenarios to get a streamlined way to deploy and manage any application in any kind of environment.
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