Fundamentals of Docker Containers

Name: Fundamentals of Docker Containers
Rating: 4.3 (39 reviews)

Micro-Learning Format - Short and Highly Impactful

Created byKPLABS Education

Last updated 4/2026

English

What you'll learn

Understand the core concepts of Docker
Install and set up Docker, and run your containers with confidence
Understand the container lifecycle and how containers start, stop, and run processes
Use Docker CLI commands to manage containers and troubleshoot basic issues
Build a strong foundation to move forward into advanced topics like Docker Compose and Kubernetes

Course content

1 section • 16 lectures • 1h 59m total length

Introduction to Docker17:31
Discover how docker containers package code with dependencies into portable images. Enable run-anywhere consistency across Windows, macOS, and Linux using docker hub and lightweight containers.
Installation Methods for Docker5:29
Discover Docker installation methods for Linux, Mac, and Windows, using Docker Desktop for local development and the CLI for production. Learn GUI and CLI container management workflows.
Installing Docker Desktop for MacOS0:14
Windows Pre-Requisites for Installing Docker Desktop0:08
Installing Docker Desktop for Windows4:21
Install docker desktop on windows by enabling wsl2, downloading, and completing the setup after restart. Verify docker cli availability and consider a linux vm as a backup.
Installing Docker Engine in Linux Systems6:47
Install the docker engine on Linux servers (prefer Ubuntu LTS), verify it's active via the CLI, and use the same commands across Linux, macOS, and Windows to manage containers.
docker - Base CLI command8:42
Discover the docker base command that powers the CLI, understand grouping by object (container or image), and compare the old docker ps with the newer docker container ls syntax.
Docker Images vs Docker Containers6:42
Explore how Docker images provide standalone, read-only packages and how Docker containers run from those images, with downloads from Docker Hub for applications like Nginx or Httpd.
Practical - Creating our First Docker Container10:10
Learn to create and run a docker container from an image using docker container run or docker run, and track containers with docker container ls and docker ps.
Attached vs Detached Modes4:13
Understand attached and detached modes in Docker containers: attached streams logs to the terminal and ends if the terminal closes, while detached runs in the background for long-running services.
Basic Container Management Commands8:16
Explore the life cycle, where a container runs while its main process executes, such as nginx. Differentiate short-lived from long-running containers, and overwrite the container command to keep it running.
Basic Container Lifecycle8:16
Understand the basic container life cycle, where the main process governs longevity, with hello world as a short-lived container and nginx as a long-running server.
docker container exec3:44
Use docker container exec to run commands inside a running container, such as Nginx, and inspect binaries, directories, and the Nginx version to aid troubleshooting.
docker container exec - Importance of -i and -t10:41
Master docker container exec with -i and -t to create an interactive shell inside a running container, using bash or sh when available.
Publishing Ports in Docker14:52
Publish ports in docker containers by binding container ports to host ports, enabling external access to apps like nginx. Understand container IPs, docker networks, and Linux vs docker desktop access.
Docker Restart Policy9:13
Explore docker restart policies and how they automate container startup after daemon or system restarts. Learn policies no, on-failure, unless-stopped, and always to tailor production and testing scenarios.

Requirements

No prior experience is needed. You will learn everything you need to know from scratch.

Description

This course is designed as part of a focused micro-learning series, where each module delivers practical, high-impact knowledge in a short duration. In just under 2 hours, this course introduces you to the core fundamental concepts of Docker containers—one of the most essential technologies in today’s software and infrastructure ecosystem.

Docker has become a cornerstone across the industry and is widely used in almost every technical role, including DevOps Engineers, Site Reliability Engineers (SREs), Developers, and Database Administrators. Whether you are building applications, managing infrastructure, or ensuring system reliability, understanding Docker is no longer optional—it’s a critical skill.

This course provides a strong foundational understanding of Docker by covering all the core concepts you need to get started with confidence. Instead of overwhelming you with unnecessary theory, it focuses on practical knowledge and essential building blocks such as container basics, images, lifecycle, and real-world usage.

Designed as a focused, micro-learning experience, this 2-hour course strips away the fluff and zeroes in on the core concepts you need to get productive with Docker fast. You will understand how containers work from the ground up — images, containers, layers, volumes, networks, and the Docker CLI — giving you a rock-solid foundation to build on, no matter which direction your career takes you next.

Who this course is for:

Beginners who want to learn Docker from scratch with a simple, practical approach
Anyone curious about containerization and how Docker is used across the industry