keep docker container running

Docker containers have revolutionized the world of software development by providing a consistent and repeatable environment, but how do you keep your Docker containers running efficiently? This article will take you through step-by-step instructions on how to keep your Docker container running flawlessly.

Understanding Docker’s Basics

To maintain your Docker container’s optimal operation, first, you need to grasp the basics. Docker relies on images (snapshots of a file system) to create containers (isolated spaces where programs can run).

Step 1: Always Use the Latest Version

Using the most recent version of Docker ensures that you benefit from the latest features, improvements, and important security updates. To check and update Docker version, use the command line:

$ docker --version
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get upgrade docker-ce

Step 2: Configure Docker to Start on Boot

To keep your Docker container running when your machine reboots, Docker should be configured to start on boot. Here’s how you can do it:

$ sudo systemctl enable docker

Step 3: Use ‘restart’ Policy

The ‘restart’ policy command automatically restarts a Docker container if it crashes or the host reboots. It is one of the best ways to ensure your Docker container keeps running. Here are four restart policies to choose from:

1. No (default policy)
2. On-failure
3. Unless-stopped
4. Always

Always use the ‘always’ policy to ensure your Docker container is always running even after the host restarts or a failure.

$ docker run -dit --restart=always your-image

Step 4: Monitor Your Docker Container Regularly

Monitoring your Docker container’s performance is a key factor in ensuring it keeps running efficiently. Use the ‘docker stats’ command to monitor memory usage, CPU load, network traffic, or disk I/O.

$ docker stats container-id

Step 5: Clear Unused Docker Containers, Images, and Volumes

Over time, Docker can accumulate unused containers, images, and volumes, taking up disk space, and making your Docker container function less efficiently. To remove them, utilize the ‘docker system prune’ command.

$ docker system prune

Remember, Docker is a vital tool in today’s software development and mastering how to keep your Docker container running efficiently ensures an optimal development environment.