Introduction: Docker — The Genie in a Bottle

Imagine you’ve just discovered a magical tool that lets you summon and run applications instantly, anywhere, without the “it works on my machine” curse. That’s Docker! Whether you’re a developer building your next big idea or a student exploring containerization, learning to install Docker is your first step into this fascinating world.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to set up Docker on two of the most popular platforms: Ubuntu and Windows. Let’s unbox Docker together!

Setting the Stage: Prerequisites

Before we dive into installation, let’s ensure your system is ready for Docker.

• Ubuntu Users: A 64-bit OS and sudo privileges are all you need.

• Windows Users: Ensure you’re running Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education with virtualization enabled. WSL2 will also be your ally here.

Act 1: Installing Docker on Ubuntu — The Linux Symphony

Step 1: Update the Orchestra

First, ensure all your packages are in tune:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Clear the Stage

Remove any older versions of Docker:

sudo apt remove docker docker-engine docker.io containerd runc

Step 3: Fetch the Docker Notes

Install required tools to fetch Docker’s GPG key and repository:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common

Step 4: Add Docker’s Signature

Bring Docker’s key to your system:

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg

Add the repository with the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable"

Step 5: Install Docker Engine

Finally, let’s install Docker:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io

Step 6: Test the Magic

Run a quick test to ensure Docker is alive:

sudo docker run hello-world

Step 7: Verify the Docker installation

sudo systemctl status docker

You should see Docker active and running.

Step 8: Run Docker as a non-root user

Add your user to the Docker group:

sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}

To apply the group changes:

su - ${USER}

Verify by running:

docker run hello-world

Act 2: Installing Docker on Windows — The Desktop Tango

Step 1: Meet Docker Desktop

Head over to Docker Desktop for Windows and download the installer.

Step 2: Enable Virtualization

Ensure your machine is ready to dance with WSL2. Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsl --install

Step 3: Install and Launch

Run the Docker Desktop installer, follow the wizard, and enable WSL2 integration during setup. Once installed, launch Docker Desktop and complete the onboarding.

Step 4: Spin Your First Container

Test Docker with the iconic command:

docker run hello-world

Pro Tips for Docker Success

• Ubuntu Users: Add yourself to the docker group to avoid typing sudo:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

• Windows Users: Customize Docker Desktop settings to allocate more resources for heavy workloads.

• Both Platforms: Start your Docker journey with the docker-compose tool to manage multi-container apps.

Troubleshooting: When the Genie Needs a Push

• Ubuntu Issues: Facing permission errors? Ensure you’ve added your user to the Docker group.

• Windows Woes: Virtualization errors? Double-check if it’s enabled in the BIOS.

Conclusion: Docker Installed, What’s Next?

Congratulations! You’ve unboxed Docker and set it up on your machine. With this newfound power, you’re ready to dive into containerized application development. Your first task? Spin up a simple web app, or try experimenting with Docker Compose.

Remember, with Docker, the possibilities are limitless. Let’s containerize the future, one application at a time!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Your feedback is immensely valuable to me. Please feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions.