DevOps with Docker

A repository containing exercise solutions for the DevOps with Docker course offered by the University of Helsinki. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to Docker, containerization, and essential DevOps practices, structured into three progressive parts.

The exercises are designed to reinforce theoretical knowledge through hands-on application, ensuring learners develop proficiency in building, managing, and optimizing containerized applications.

Repository Structure

The repository is organized into parts and exercises, with each exercise directory containing relevant files such as Dockerfile, commands.md, script.sh. Below is the folder hierarchy:

├── part1
│   ├── exercise1.1
│   │   ├── commands.md
│   │   ├── Dockerfile
│   │   └── script.sh
│   │   └── ...
│   ├── exercise1.2
│   │   └── ...
│   └── exercise1.x
│       └── ...
├── part2
│   ├── exercise2.1
│   │   └── ...
│   └── ...
└── ...

Each exercise folder contains all the necessary files to complete or understand the particular exercise. These may include:

• commands.md: Contains the Docker commands used in the exercise along with the output
• Dockerfile: The Dockerfile used to build the image
• script.sh: Helper scripts for automating tasks
• Other configuration and source files as needed

Overview

This repository contains solutions and exercises for learning Docker and DevOps practices. The exercises are organized by parts, with each part focusing on different aspects of Docker and containerization.

Part 1: Docker Fundamentals

Part 1 introduces essential Docker concepts through hands-on exercises aligned with the course objectives. Learners progress from running basic containers to deploying interconnected multi-service applications.

Key Learning Objectives

• Run containerized applications: Learn how to start, stop, and manage containers using core Docker commands.
• Containerize applications: Create custom Docker images using Dockerfile to package applications and dependencies.
• Utilize volumes: Store data persistently outside containers to ensure data integrity across container restarts.
• Use port mapping: Expose containerized applications to external networks via TCP ports for accessibility.
• Share containers publicly: Build and publish custom images to Docker Hub for reuse and collaboration.

Exercise Highlights

• Container Lifecycle Management: Master commands like docker run, stop, rm, ps, and exec to manage containers effectively (Exercises 1.1–1.4).
• Image Creation: Build custom images using Dockerfile with best practices for layering and caching (Exercises 1.7–1.8).
• Persistent Data Storage: Configure volumes to retain logs and application data beyond container lifetimes (Exercise 1.9).
• Network Exposure: Use port mapping (docker run -p) to make containerized applications accessible externally (Exercise 1.10).
• Cross-Container Communication: Set up interconnected services (e.g., frontend-backend) with proper networking configurations (Exercises 1.12–1.14).
• Build and Publish Images: Create your own Docker images and share them publicly via Docker Hub (Exercise 1.15).

Part 2: Docker Compose & Orchestration Fundamentals

Part 2 focuses on multi-container application management using Docker Compose, aligned with course objectives. Learners progress from basic service definitions to complex orchestration scenarios.

Key Learning Objectives

• Multi-Service Architecture: Coordinate interconnected containers (web apps, databases, caching).
• Docker Compose Syntax: Master docker-compose.yml structure for service definitions.
• Environment Management: Configure shared networks, volumes, and environment variables across services.
• Dependency Handling: Control startup order with depends_on and health checks.
• Production Patterns: Implement restart policies and resource constraints.

Exercise Highlights

• Compose Basics: Define and manage multi-service applications using docker-compose.yml (Exercises 2.1–2.3).
• Service Integration & Persistence: Integrate Redis and PostgreSQL services with persistent volumes for data durability and explore scaling service instances (Exercises 2.4–2.6).
• Host-Container Interaction: Use bind mounts to enable file sharing between the host system and containers (Exercise 2.7).

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Part 3

Key Learning Objectives

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Exercise Highlights

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Getting Started

1. Environment Setup

# Install Docker & Compose following OS specific instructions

# Verify installation
docker --version && docker-compose --version

2. Repository Setup

git clone https://github.com/AnkS4/devops_with_docker.git
cd devops_with_docker/part1/exercise1.1

3. Exercise Workflow

1. Study commands.md for exercise objectives
2. Modify Dockerfile as needed
3. Execute build/run commands from terminal
4. Verify outputs against exercise requirements

Recommended Learning Path

1. Review official course materials
2. Complete exercises sequentially (1.1 → 1.2 → … → 1.x → 2.1 → 2.2 → … → 3.x)

Prerequisites

To utilize this repository effectively:

• Install Docker Engine and Docker Compose on your local machine

• Basic familiarity with Linux command-line interfaces

• A text editor (e.g., nano) for modifying Dockerfiles and scripts.

License

This repository is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license, the same as the original course materials from the University of Helsinki's DevOps with Docker course. For more details, see the LICENSE file in this repository or Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0.

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