Docker Networking Basics

Docker networking allows containers to communicate with each other and with the outside world. This article covers the basics of Docker networking.

Types of Docker Networks

  • Bridge Network: The default network driver. Containers on the same bridge network can communicate with each other.
  • Host Network: Removes network isolation between the container and the Docker host.
  • Overlay Network: Enables communication between Docker containers on different Docker hosts.

Creating a Bridge Network

Create a bridge network using the following command:

docker network create my_bridge_network

Running Containers on a Custom Network

Run a container on the custom network:

docker run -d --name my_nginx --network my_bridge_network nginx

Inspecting a Network

Inspect a network to view its configuration:

docker network inspect my_bridge_network

Conclusion

Understanding Docker networking is crucial for managing containerized applications, especially in multi-host and cloud environments.