Docker is a container software platform that lets you configure complex, multi-node applications, and run those applications on your desktop, on servers, or in the cloud.

Docker is not a typical virtual machine technology. It focuses on assembly and use of small units of software (containers), hosting images built on a layered, virtual file system, and a set of shared services to manage the container instances.

While Docker can be used to stand up servers for production or testing purposes, developers are finding it useful to run their software on Docker to provide a zero-installation development platform that can even mirror a scaled-down production environment. Docker makes it easy to onboard new developers; it simulates the real world, but provides a cross-platform container management system which doesn’t leave a messy footprint on the developer’s desktop.

Ken Rimple, Chariot’s Director of Training and Mentoring, will take you on a tour of Docker that includes:

– Using Docker to configure community-written container instances for Angular CLI-based development, nginx/apache web servers, MySQL databases, and NodeJS Express server instances
– Learning the relevant Docker commands to control container instances and communicating with running containers
– Building your own image with Dockerfile
– Copying static files into your containers
– Linking files and directories into your docker instances using volumes
– Creating a multi-tier application platform, including a web server, application server, and database using Docker Compose
– Separating containers into different virtual networks
– Tops for managing containers, dealing with security, logging, etc.
– Discussion on scaling containers across instances and the cloud

Developers who want to follow along should come to the workshop after installing Docker for their operating system.