Docker Mastery
Master containerization with Docker — images, containers, compose, networking, volumes, multi-stage builds, CI/CD, security, and production deployments. 16 phases from basics to production-grade Docker.
Your Progress
Complete all 16 phases to master this track
Docker mastery roadmap — 8 phases from container fundamentals through CLI, images, Dockerfiles, volumes, networking, Compose, and production deployments.
Phase 1: Docker Fundamentals
Master Docker basics — installation, containers, images, and Dockerfiles.
What is Docker
Understand containerization, Docker architecture, and container vs VM.
Docker Installation
Install Docker on Windows, macOS, and Linux with proper configuration.
Docker CLI Basics
Run, stop, list, and manage containers with essential Docker commands.
Docker Images
Pull, build, tag, and manage Docker images from registries.
Dockerfile Deep Dive
Write efficient Dockerfiles with multi-stage builds and best practices.
Phase 2: Docker Networking
Master Docker networking — bridge, host, overlay, and container communication.
Networking Basics
Understand Docker network drivers — bridge, host, none, and overlay.
Container DNS & Discovery
Use Docker DNS for service discovery and container name resolution.
Port Mapping & Exposure
Map container ports to host and configure port publishing.
Phase 3: Docker Volumes & Storage
Manage persistent data with volumes, bind mounts, and tmpfs.
Volumes & Persistent Data
Create and manage Docker volumes for data persistence.
Bind Mounts
Mount host directories into containers for development workflows.
Storage Drivers
Understand overlay2, aufs, and other Docker storage drivers.
Phase 4: Docker Compose
Define and run multi-container applications with Docker Compose.
Compose Fundamentals
Write docker-compose.yml files and manage multi-container apps.
Services & Dependencies
Define services, depends_on, health checks, and startup order.
Environment & Secrets
Manage environment variables, .env files, and secrets in Compose.
Phase 5: Docker Security
Secure Docker containers and images with best practices.
Security Fundamentals
Understand Docker security model, attack surface, and threat landscape.
Image Scanning & Hardening
Scan images for vulnerabilities and create minimal, hardened images.
User Namespaces & Rootless
Run containers as non-root and use user namespace remapping.
Phase 6: Docker Production
Deploy and manage Docker containers in production environments.
Logging & Monitoring
Configure logging drivers and monitor container health and performance.
Resource Management
Set CPU, memory limits, and resource reservations for containers.
Private Registries
Set up and manage private Docker registries with authentication.
Phase 7: Docker in Development
Use Docker for local development workflows and team collaboration.
Development Environments
Create reproducible dev environments with Docker and Docker Compose.
Hot Reload & Live Sync
Enable hot reload with bind mounts and file watching in containers.
Debugging Containers
Debug running containers with exec, logs, and multi-stage debugging.
Phase 8: Docker Project
Build and deploy a multi-container application with Docker.
Phase 9: Docker CI/CD Integration
Integrate Docker into CI/CD pipelines for automated building and deployment.
CI/CD Image Building
Build Docker images in CI/CD with proper caching and tagging.
Docker with GitHub Actions
Automate Docker builds and pushes with GitHub Actions workflows.
Push & Pull Automation
Automate image push to registries with versioning and tagging strategies.
Phase 10: Docker Optimization
Optimize Docker images, builds, and runtime performance.
Image Size Optimization
Reduce image size with distroless, alpine, and layer optimization.
Build Cache Strategies
Optimize build speed with cache mounts, bind mounts, and layer ordering.
Runtime Performance
Tune container runtime — PID limits, I/O, and network performance.
Phase 11: Docker & Databases
Run databases in Docker — PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and Redis.
PostgreSQL in Docker
Run and configure PostgreSQL containers with persistent storage.
MySQL in Docker
Deploy MySQL containers with replication and backup strategies.
Redis in Docker
Run Redis containers for caching and session storage.
Phase 12: Docker & Applications
Containerize real applications — Node.js, Python, and full stack apps.
Dockerizing Node.js Apps
Create optimized Dockerfiles for Node.js applications.
Dockerizing Python Apps
Create Dockerfiles for Python apps with virtual environments.
Dockerizing Full Stack Apps
Containerize full stack apps with frontend, backend, and database services.
Phase 13: Docker Compose Advanced
Master advanced Docker Compose patterns for complex multi-container apps.
Compose Profiles
Use profiles to selectively run service groups.
Custom Networks
Create custom bridge and overlay networks for service isolation.
Override Files & Merging
Use multiple compose files for environment-specific configurations.
Phase 14: Docker Monitoring & Logging
Monitor and log Docker containers with centralized tools.
Logging Drivers
Configure fluentd, json-file, and syslog logging drivers.
Prometheus for Docker
Export container metrics to Prometheus for monitoring.
cAdvisor & Metrics
Use cAdvisor for container resource usage monitoring.
Phase 15: Docker Security Advanced
Advanced Docker security — vulnerability scanning, compliance, and hardening.
Vulnerability Scanning
Scan images with Trivy, Snyk, and Docker Scout for CVEs.
Distroless & Minimal Images
Use distroless base images for minimal attack surface.
Docker Bench Security
Run Docker Bench for CIS benchmark compliance checks.
Phase 16: Docker Capstone Project
Build and deploy a production-grade Dockerized application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Docker roadmap take?
The 8-phase Docker roadmap takes 6-8 weeks at 1-2 hours per day. No prior container experience is needed.
Do I need Linux experience for Docker?
Basic command-line familiarity helps. The roadmap covers Docker CLI and Linux concepts needed for container management.
Does this roadmap prepare me for Docker certifications?
The roadmap covers all core Docker concepts including Dockerfile best practices, networking, security, and production deployments relevant to the Docker Certified Associate exam.