Docker & Containerisation Overview

Docker and Containerisation training course Overview

This one-day beginner-level Docker course offers an introduction to Docker and containerisation technologies, providing participants with the foundational skills to leverage Docker for developing, deploying, and managing applications. The course covers key concepts such as the benefits of containerisation, Docker’s architecture, and how it differs from virtual machines.

Participants will engage in hands-on exercises, installing Docker on various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), running their first container, and learning essential Docker commands for managing containers. The course also covers working with Docker images, building custom Docker images using Docker files, and optimising images for better performance.

By the end of this Docker course, participants will have a solid understanding of Docker containers, how to manage them, and how to use Docker to enhance development workflows, DevOps practices, and system administration tasks.

Module 1: Introduction to Containerisation & Docker

What is Containerisation?

• Virtual Machines vs. Containers
• Benefits of Containers in Modern Development
• Use Cases of Containers in Development & DevOps

Understanding Docker

• What is Docker & Why Use It?
• Overview of the Docker Architecture
• Key Docker Components (Engine, CLI, Registry, Hub)

Installing Docker (Hands-on)

• Installing Docker on Windows, macOS, Linux
• Verifying Installation (docker version, docker info)
• Running the First Container (docker run hello-world)

Module 2: Working with Docker Containers

Basic Docker Commands

• Running & Stopping Containers (docker run, docker stop, docker ps)
• Removing Containers (docker rm, docker prune)
• Accessing Running Containers (docker exec, docker logs)

Container Lifecycle & Management

• Persistent vs. Ephemeral Containers
• Restart Policies (always, on-failure, unless-stopped)
• Inspecting Containers (docker inspect, docker stats)

Module 3: Working with Docker Images

Understanding Docker Images

•   What is a Docker Image?
•    Pulling Images from Docker Hub (docker pull)
•    Listing & Removing Images (docker images, docker rmi)

Building Custom Docker Images

•   Understanding Dockerfiles
•   Writing a Basic Dockerfile (FROM, RUN, CMD, ENTRYPOINT)
•    Building Images (docker build -t myapp .)

Docker Image Optimization

•  Using Multi-Stage Builds  
•  Reducing Image Size (Alpine Linux, Slim Images)