Why Docker? #
For many K–12 school districts, managing IT infrastructure often means finding ways to do more with less. Limited budgets, small teams, and a wide range of devices and services to manage can make traditional server administration overwhelming. That’s where Docker comes in.
Docker offers a containerized approach to application deployment, meaning we can isolate services, reduce overhead, and ensure consistency across environments. Whether we’re managing internal tools, monitoring systems, or educational software.
Benefits of Docker in K–12 Environments #
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Simplified Deployment
Launching apps is often as simple as running a single command. No more worrying about package versions or library conflicts on the host. -
Isolation and Security
Containers keep services separate, reducing the chance of interference and improving security. Important in environments with mixed usage. -
Portability
Once built, containers can run anywhere Docker is installed. This makes upgrades and hardware changes much less painful. -
Resource Efficiency
Compared to full virtual machines, Docker containers are lightweight, using fewer system resources. -
Consistency
If it runs on your test server, it’ll run on production. Containers include everything the app needs.
Setting Up Docker and Docker Compose on Ubuntu #
🛠️ Prerequisites #
- Ubuntu 20.04 or later
- A non-root user with sudo privileges
- Internet access
Installing Docker on Ubuntu Server #
Step 1: Update System Packages #
1sudo apt update
2sudo apt upgrade -y
Step 2: Install Required Dependencies #
1sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release -y
Step 3: Add Docker’s Official GPG Key #
1curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg
Step 4: Add Docker Repository #
1echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null
Step 5: Install Docker Engine #
1sudo apt update
2sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io -y
Step 6: Start and Enable Docker Service #
1sudo systemctl start docker
2sudo systemctl enable docker
Step 7: Verify Docker Installation #
1sudo docker run hello-world
Step 8: Add User to Docker Group (Optional) #
1sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
2newgrp docker
Note: Log out and back in for group changes to take effect.
Installing Docker Compose #
Method 1: Using Package Manager (Recommended) #
1sudo apt install docker-compose-plugin -y
Method 2: Direct Download #
1sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/latest/download/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
2sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
Verify Docker Compose Installation #
1docker compose version
