Summary

Go from zero to production readiness with Docker in 22 bite-sized lessons! Learn Docker in a Month of Lunches is an accessible task-focused guide to Docker on Linux, Windows, or Mac systems. In it, you’ll learn practical Docker skills to help you tackle the challenges of modern IT, from cloud migration and microservices to handling legacy systems. There’s no excessive theory or niche-use cases—just a quick-and-easy guide to the essentials of Docker you’ll use every day.

Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications.

About the technology

The idea behind Docker is simple: package applications in lightweight virtual containers that can be easily installed. The results of this simple idea are huge! Docker makes it possible to manage applications without creating custom infrastructures. Free, open source, and battle-tested, Docker has quickly become must-know technology for developers and administrators.

About the book

Learn Docker in a Month of Lunches introduces Docker concepts through a series of brief hands-on lessons. Following a learning path perfected by author Elton Stoneman, you’ll run containers by chapter 2 and package applications by chapter 3. Each lesson teaches a practical skill you can practice on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. By the end of the month you’ll know how to containerize and run any kind of application with Docker.

What's inside

Package applications to run in containers
Put containers into production
Build optimized Docker images
Run containerized apps at scale

About the reader

For IT professionals. No previous Docker experience required.

About the author

Elton Stoneman is a consultant, a former architect at Docker, a Microsoft MVP, and a Pluralsight author.

Table of Contents

PART 1 - UNDERSTANDING DOCKER CONTAINERS AND IMAGES

1. Before you begin

2. Understanding Docker and running Hello World

3. Building your own Docker images

4. Packaging applications from source code into Docker Images

5. Sharing images with Docker Hub and other registries

6. Using Docker volumes for persistent storage

PART 2 - RUNNING DISTRIBUTED APPLICATIONS IN CONTAINERS

1. Running multi-container apps with Docker Compose

2. Supporting reliability with health checks and dependency checks

3. Adding observability with containerized monitoring

4. Running multiple environments with Docker Compose

5. Building and testing applications with Docker and Docker Compose

PART 3 - RUNNING AT SCALE WITH A CONTAINER ORCHESTRATOR

1. Understanding orchestration: Docker Swarm and Kubernetes

2. Deploying distributed applications as stacks in Docker Swarm

3. Automating releases with upgrades and rollbacks

4. Configuring Docker for secure remote access and CI/CD

5. Building Docker images that run anywhere: Linux, Windows, Intel, and Arm

PART 4 - GETTING YOUR CONTAINERS READY FOR PRODUCTION

1. Optimizing your Docker images for size, speed, and security

2. Application configuration management in containers

3. Writing and managing application logs with Docker

4. Controlling HTTP traffic to containers with a reverse proxy

5. Asynchronous communication with a message queue

6. Never the end