Network Fundamentals
Docker Network Architecture
Docker provides a flexible networking model that allows containers to communicate with each other and external networks. Understanding the fundamental networking concepts is crucial for effective Docker deployment and troubleshooting.
Network Types in Docker
Docker supports several network drivers that define how containers connect and communicate:
Network Type |
Description |
Use Case |
Bridge |
Default network mode |
Containers on same host |
Host |
Direct host network access |
Performance-critical applications |
Overlay |
Multi-host networking |
Distributed container systems |
Macvlan |
Direct physical network connection |
Legacy application support |
Container Network Isolation
graph LR
A[Docker Host] --> B[Docker Network Bridge]
B --> C[Container 1]
B --> D[Container 2]
B --> E[Container 3]
Containers are isolated by default, with each container having its own network namespace. This isolation ensures:
- Security
- Network address translation
- Port mapping capabilities
Network Configuration Basics
IP Address Management
When a container starts, Docker automatically:
- Assigns a unique IP address
- Creates network interfaces
- Configures routing tables
Port Mapping Example
## Map container port 80 to host port 8080
docker run -p 8080:80 nginx
Network Diagnostics Preparation
To effectively diagnose Docker network issues, you'll need:
- Basic networking knowledge
- Docker installation
- Linux command-line skills
At LabEx, we recommend practicing network configurations in a controlled environment to build practical skills.