View source for Docker Setup Win and Linux 260203

= Docker Setup Wiki: Windows & Ubuntu 24.04 =

== 1. The Concept: "Appifying" Your System ==

Docker solves the classic "it works on my machine" problem.

'''"Appification"''': Think of Docker as "Appifying" a server application. Instead of installing a messy web of dependencies (Python versions, specific libraries, configurations) directly onto your computer, you download a '''Container'''. This container holds the app ''and'' its entire environment inside a sealed box.

'''Write Once, Run Anywhere''': Because the container has everything it needs inside, it runs exactly the same on a high-end Windows gaming PC, a MacBook, or a Linux server. The host operating system doesn't matter; it just needs to run Docker.

'''Docker vs. Virtual Machines (VMs)''':
** '''VMs''' are heavy. They require a full separate Operating System (OS) for every app, "locking" chunks of your RAM and CPU even when idle.
** '''Docker''' is efficient. Containers '''share''' your system's resources (kernel) dynamically. If a container isn't doing work, it's not eating up your CPU.

== 2. Windows Tutorial (Docker Desktop) ==

Windows is the easiest entry point because '''Docker Desktop''' handles the complex Linux backend (WSL2) for you invisible.

=== Installation ===

Download '''Docker Desktop for Windows''' from [https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/windows-install/ docs.docker.com].

Run the installer. Ensure "Use WSL 2 instead of Hyper-V" is checked (this is much faster).

Restart your computer.

=== The "Marketplace" Workflow ===
Docker Desktop feels like an App Store for server software.

Open '''Docker Desktop'''.

In the top search bar, type what you want (e.g., <code>postgres</code>, <code>nginx</code>, or <code>minecraft</code>).

Click '''Pull''' to download the "App" (Image).

Go to the '''Images''' tab, find what you downloaded, and click the '''Run''' (Play) button.

It will ask for optional settings (ports, volumes) and then launch.

=== Using the Command Line (PowerShell) ===
You can also run it purely via text, exactly like on Linux. Open PowerShell and try:

<syntaxhighlight lang="powershell">

Run a "Hello World" container to test

docker run hello-world

Run an Nginx web server on port 8080

docker run -d -p 8080:80 nginx
</syntaxhighlight>

== 3. Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble Numbat) Tutorial ==

For Linux, we install the '''Docker Engine''' directly. These commands are pulled from the [https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/ubuntu/ official documentation] but simplified for an end-to-end flow.

=== Step 1: Install Docker Engine ===
Open your terminal and run these commands block by block:

'''A. Set up Docker's apt repository:'''

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">

1. Update apt and install packages to allow apt to use a repository over HTTPS

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ca-certificates curl

2. Create the directory for keys

sudo install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyrings

3. Download Docker's official GPG key

sudo curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc
sudo chmod a+r /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc

4. Add the repository to Apt sources

echo

"deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu

$(. /etc/os-release && echo "$VERSION_CODENAME") stable" |

sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

5. Update apt again to see the new repo

sudo apt-get update
</syntaxhighlight>

'''B. Install the Docker packages:'''

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
sudo apt-get install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Step 2: The "Easy" Fix (Post-Installation) ===
By default, you have to type <code>sudo</code> for every Docker command. Let's fix that so it acts like an easy app.

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">

Add your current user to the docker group

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

APPLY the change immediately (or just reboot)

newgrp docker
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Step 3: GUI Tracking with Gnome Extensions ===
To easily track your running containers without using the terminal constantly, use a Gnome Extension.

'''Install the Extension''': Go to the [https://extensions.gnome.org/ Gnome Extensions website].

Search for '''Easy Docker Containers'''.

#* ''Identifier:'' <code>easy_docker_containers@red.software.systems</code>

Toggle the switch to '''ON''' to install.

'''Result''': You will now see a Docker icon in your top system bar. Clicking it shows a list of running containers, allowing you to Start/Stop/Restart them visually.

== 4. Portainer CE (The Ultimate GUI) ==

For a full "Command Center" experience on Ubuntu (or Windows), install Portainer. It gives you a web dashboard to manage everything.

=== Installation ===
Run this single command block to create a data volume and start Portainer:

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">

Create a volume so Portainer doesn't lose data

docker volume create portainer_data

Run Portainer

docker run -d -p 8000:8000 -p 9443:9443 --name portainer --restart=always -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock -v portainer_data:/data portainer/portainer-ce:latest
</syntaxhighlight>

=== How to Access ===

Open your web browser (Firefox/Chrome).

Go to: <code>https://localhost:9443</code>

'''Note''': You will get a "Security Warning" because it uses a self-signed certificate. Click '''Advanced -> Accept the Risk/Proceed'''.

Create your admin password and select '''Get Started''' with the local environment.

== 5. Common Examples ==

You can find a list of common, useful Dockers at [https://wiki.gi7b.org/index.php/Main_Page wiki.gi7b.org].

=== Example: Minecraft Server ===
This is a classic example of "Appifying" a system. Instead of installing Java, downloading Jars, and editing text files, you just run this command.

'''The Command (Java Edition):'''

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
docker run -d -it -p 25565:25565 -e EULA=TRUE --name mc-server itzg/minecraft-server
</syntaxhighlight>

'''itzg/minecraft-server''': The name of the image (the "App").

'''-e EULA=TRUE''': Accepts the license agreement automatically.

'''-p 25565:25565''': Opens the game port so you can connect.

== Appendix: Applications for Students & The GUI Philosophy ==

=== Why GUI? (Visual Context vs. Memorization) ===
For students and professionals with busy lives, memorizing hundreds of command-line functions is not economical. The goal of modern computing is to build '''visual context'''.

'''Intuitive Workflow''': We grew up with graphical interfaces (buttons, windows, menus). Tools like '''Portainer''' and '''Docker Desktop''' bridge the gap, allowing you to manage complex server infrastructure using the same point-and-click logic you use for a web browser or smartphone.

'''Visual Management''': Instead of typing <code>docker ps</code> to see what's running, you look at a dashboard. If a container is green, it's running; if it's red, it's stopped. This visual feedback loop is faster and less prone to error.

=== Docker: Making Services "Browser-Native" ===
Most Docker containers act as local web services.

You run the container (e.g., a Jupyter Notebook or a WordPress site).

You open your browser and type <code>localhost:8080</code>.

The application runs entirely inside the browser window.

=== The Ultimate Student Project: "Dockerize" Your Product ===
If you are building a project for school or a startup:

'''Don't send a zip file''' with instructions like "install Python 3.9, then pip install pandas, then set this path..."

'''Create a Docker Image'''.

'''The Promise''': If your professor or investor has Docker installed (which they will, if they followed this guide), they just run '''one command'''. Your product launches exactly as you designed it, running perfectly on their Windows, Linux, or Mac machine.