Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Docker Desktop - Your App is a Rock Star and Should Be Contained


Getting Started with Docker Desktop

Hello and welcome to getting started with Docker Desktop. I'm Daniel from Tiger Triangle Technologies, and I'll be guiding you through installing Docker Desktop on Windows.

Installing Docker Desktop

To get started, head over to the Docker website and download the Docker Desktop installer. Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the prompts. You'll need to restart your computer to complete the installation.

Troubleshooting

Make sure your computer has the requirements for virtualization.

Docker Docs - Troubleshooting Virtualization Errors

If you encounter an error message stating that Windows Hypervisor is not present, don't worry! This is because Docker requires hardware-assisted virtualization and data execution protection to be enabled in your BIOS. You can enable this in your BIOS settings.

Enabling Virtualization

To enable virtualization on ASUS motherboard for AMD, follow these steps:
  1. Restart your computer and enter your BIOS settings (press [delete] to enter BIOS).
  2. Navigate to the Advanced tab and look for the CPU Configuration settings.
  3. Enable SVM (Secure Virtual Machine) mode or Virtualization.
  4. Save your changes and exit the BIOS settings.
Here is a link with more details and has information for Intel too.

Of course, it may be different for your computer motherboard but should be similar.

Running Docker Desktop

Once you've enabled virtualization, you can start Docker Desktop. The first time you do this you'll see a welcome screen with a survey. Feel free to skip it or provide feedback. Logging into the Docker Hub is not a requirement to run local Docker images.

What is Docker?

Docker is an open platform for developing, shipping, and running applications. It provides a way to package and run applications in a loosely isolated environment called a container.

Your App is a Rock Star (analogy)

Imagine you just created an app. And it's a great app. In fact, it's a rock star. You could put your rock star in a hotel, but it probably won't be happy. It has a lot of demands and dependencies and with each hotel being different it's going to be a hassle. This is like installing your app directly in the operating system and hoping it has everything it needs.

Think of Docker containers like RVs for your applications. Each RV has everything your app needs to run, including dependencies (you know, like those favorite snacks and its own fluffy pillow). This isolation brings freedom, and you can deploy your app anywhere without worrying about conflicts.

Conclusion

That's it for this session! You've learned how to install Docker Desktop, troubleshoot common issues, and understand the basics of Docker containers. Now, go out there and create some rock stars (applications) and put them in RVs (containers) to send out into the world. Happy containerizing!

Additional Resources

Docker Website: https://www.docker.com/
Docker Documentation: https://docs.docker.com/