How to Install Docker on Ubuntu 24.02

Docker has revolutionized software development and deployment by providing a platform for building, shipping, and running applications in containers. Containers offer a lightweight, portable, and consistent environment, enabling developers to package their applications and dependencies into a single unit that can run seamlessly across different environments. Docker simplifies the process of managing and scaling applications, making it a crucial tool in modern software development workflows.

Ubuntu 24.02, as one of the most popular Linux distributions, is widely used for hosting applications and services. Installing Docker on Ubuntu 24.02 extends its capabilities by enabling users to harness the power of containerization for managing and deploying applications more efficiently.

This guide will walk you through the process of installing Docker on Ubuntu 24.02, unlocking the full potential of containerized application management.

Prerequisites for Docker on Ubuntu 24.02

Before installing Docker on Ubuntu 24.02, it’s essential to ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements. Docker typically requires a 64-bit version of Ubuntu with a compatible kernel version. Additionally, ensure that your system has adequate disk space and memory to run Docker and the containers efficiently.

Updating Ubuntu 24.02: 
Before proceeding with the Docker installation, it’s crucial to ensure that your Ubuntu 24.02 system is up to date. This ensures that you have the latest package information and security updates. You can update your system using the apt package manager by running the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

These commands will update the package lists and upgrade the installed packages to their latest versions. Once your system is updated, you’re ready to begin the Docker installation process.

Installing Docker Engine

After making sure that the apt packages are upto date, you can follow the given steps to install Docker on your Ubuntu 24.02 system

1. Add the Docker Repository:
   To install Docker Engine on Ubuntu 24.02, you need to add the official Docker repository. Open a terminal window and execute the following command:

   sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common
   curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo apt-key add -
   sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable"
   

2. Update Package Index:
   After adding the Docker repository, update the package index to ensure you have access to the latest available Docker packages:

   sudo apt-get update
   

3. Install Docker Engine:
   Once the package index is updated, you can install Docker Engine by running the following command:

   sudo apt-get install docker-ce
   

Explaining apt Package Manager Commands

In case you are confused about the apt package manager commands, then we have you covered in this short section.

• apt-get install: This command is used to install packages on Ubuntu. In this context, we’re installing necessary packages to allow apt to use repositories over HTTPS and to add the Docker repository.
• curl: Curl is a command-line tool for transferring data using various protocols, including HTTP and HTTPS. Here, we use it to download the Docker repository’s GPG key.
• add-apt-repository: This command adds a new repository to the apt sources list. We’re adding the official Docker repository here.
• apt-get update: This command refreshes the package index, ensuring that apt has the latest information about available packages.
• apt-get install docker-ce: This command installs Docker Community Edition (CE), which is the free version of Docker for Ubuntu.

Verifying the Installation

Once Docker Engine is installed, you can verify that it’s working correctly by running the following command to check the Docker version:

docker --version

This command should display the installed Docker version, confirming that Docker Engine has been successfully installed on your Ubuntu 24.02 system.

Managing Docker as a Non-root User

Adding User to Docker Group

1. Adding Current User to Docker Group:
   To allow the current user to run Docker commands without sudo, add the user to the Docker group using the following command:

   sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}
   

   Replace ${USER} with the username of the user you want to add to the Docker group.

Verifying Group Membership

2. Verifying Docker Group Membership:
   After adding the user to the Docker group, you can verify their group membership using the id command:

   id -nG
   

   Ensure that docker is listed among the groups for the user.

3. Applying Changes:
   To apply the changes, log out of the current session and then log back in:

   logout
   

   After logging back in, the user should be able to run Docker commands without using sudo.

Security Considerations

4. Security Implications:
   Granting Docker privileges to non-root users allows them to execute Docker commands and potentially interact with containers, images, and volumes. While this can be convenient for development and testing, it also introduces security risks.
5. Best Practices:
   • Only grant Docker access to trusted users.
   • Regularly review Docker group memberships to ensure only authorized users have access.
   • Use Docker’s Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) features for fine-grained control over user privileges.
   • Consider the principle of least privilege when assigning Docker permissions to users.

Verifying Docker Installation

1. Verifying Docker Installation:
   To check if Docker is installed and running correctly, you can use the following command:

   docker --version
   

   This command displays the Docker version if it’s installed.

2. Running a Docker Container:
   After verifying the Docker version, you can test Docker’s basic functionality by running a simple container. For example:

   docker run hello-world
   

   This command downloads and runs the hello-world Docker image, confirming that Docker can pull images and create containers successfully.

3. Listing Docker Images:
   Additionally, you can list the Docker images available on your system using:

   docker images
   

   This command displays a list of Docker images stored locally on your system.

Troubleshooting Tips

1. Common Issues:
   If you encounter any issues during Docker installation or verification, common troubleshooting steps include:
   • Checking Docker service status using systemctl status docker.
   • Reviewing Docker logs for any error messages.
   • Ensuring that Docker dependencies are installed correctly.
   • Verifying network connectivity for Docker to communicate with the Docker Hub registry.
2. Online Resources:
   If you’re unable to resolve the issue on your own, consider searching online forums, Docker documentation, or community resources for solutions to common Docker installation problems. Additionally, reaching out to the Docker community or seeking professional support can help address more complex issues.

Docker Compose Installation (Optional)

Docker Compose is a tool used for defining and running multi-container Docker applications. It allows you to describe all dependencies for your application services in a single YAML file, making it easy to manage and deploy complex applications. Docker Compose simplifies the process of orchestrating multiple containers, enabling you to define networks, volumes, and other configurations required for your application stack.

Installing Docker Compose

To install Docker Compose on Ubuntu 24.02, you have two main options:

1. Using curl Command: You can download the Docker Compose binary using the curl command and then move it to the appropriate directory.
2. Using Official Docker Compose Binary: Alternatively, you can download the official Docker Compose binary from the Docker GitHub repository and install it manually.

Managing Multi-Container Applications

Once Docker Compose is installed, you can use it to manage your multi-container applications effortlessly. Docker Compose provides a set of commands for building, starting, stopping, and managing your application services defined in the docker-compose.yml file. You can use commands like docker-compose up, docker-compose down, and docker-compose ps to control your Docker environment and interact with your application stack. Explore the various Docker Compose commands and options to streamline your development and deployment workflows.

Additional Docker Configuration

Exploring Docker Configuration Options

Docker provides various configuration options to customize its behavior and optimize performance. Some common configuration settings include:

1. Docker Daemon Configuration:
   You can configure Docker daemon settings to control its behavior, such as setting storage drivers, defining logging options, and specifying runtime configurations.
2. Network Configuration:
   Docker allows you to configure network settings for container communication, including creating custom networks, defining IP address ranges, and configuring network drivers.

Configuring Docker with Proxy Server

If your environment requires using a proxy server for internet access, you can configure Docker to use the proxy for communication with the Docker Hub registry and other external resources.

1. Configuring Docker Environment Variables:
   Set the HTTP_PROXY, HTTPS_PROXY, and NO_PROXY environment variables to specify the proxy server details and exceptions. For example:

   export HTTP_PROXY="http://proxy.example.com:port"
   export HTTPS_PROXY="https://proxy.example.com:port"
   export NO_PROXY="localhost,127.0.0.1"
   

2. Updating Docker Configuration File:
   Alternatively, you can configure Docker to use a proxy server by updating the Docker daemon configuration file (/etc/docker/daemon.json) with proxy settings.

Securing Docker Installations

Securing Docker installations is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive data. Here are some recommended security measures:

1. Enable TLS Encryption:
   Configure Docker to use Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption to secure communication between Docker clients and the Docker daemon. Generate TLS certificates and configure Docker daemon to use them for encryption.
2. Implement Access Controls:
   Define access controls and user permissions using Docker’s Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) mechanisms. Limit user privileges, restrict container capabilities, and enforce security policies to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate security risks.

Wrap Up

By leveraging Docker on Ubuntu 24.02, you gain access to a powerful toolset for efficient software development and deployment. Docker enables you to create lightweight, portable containers that encapsulate your applications and their dependencies, facilitating seamless deployment across different environments. With Docker, you can achieve greater agility, scalability, and reliability in your development processes, ultimately enhancing productivity and accelerating time to market for your projects.

As you’ve successfully set up Docker on your Ubuntu system, we encourage you to explore the vast ecosystem of Docker tools and resources. Docker provides a comprehensive platform for containerized application development and deployment, offering solutions for building, testing, and running applications in a consistent and scalable manner. Take advantage of Docker’s rich features and community support to streamline your development workflows and accelerate your projects.

Check out More Linux Tutorials Here!