A Complete Guide to Installing and Running Docker on Linux
Anurag Soam
March 07, 2025
15 Min read
In today’s DevOps and cloud-native era, Docker has come forward as a breakthrough in how applications are developed, deployed, and managed. This lightweight containerization platform allows developers and system administrators to package applications with all their needs into portable, scalable, and secure containers. Whether you are a professional Linux developer or a novice in the world of containers, understanding how to install and operate Docker on Linux is a must-learn skill.
One of the interesting points you must know is that Linux is the preferred operating system for running Docker due to its flexibility, security, and performance. Different from traditional virtualization, Docker containers share the host OS kernel, making them more efficient than virtual machines. In this blog post, we are going to discuss the installation process, configuration, and crucial Docker commands, ensuring you have an easy experience operating Docker on your Linux Dedicated Server system.
What is Docker?
The term Docker refers to an open-source platform that allows developers to build, deploy, run, and manage containers. Containers are standardized, executable components that combine application source code with the operating system libraries and dependencies needed to run that code in any environment. Using Docker allows you to ship code faster, standardize application operations, easily move code, and save money by improving resource utilization. With Docker, you get a single object that can reliably operate anywhere. Its simple and straightforward syntax provides you with complete control.
Understanding the Requirements for Installing Docker on Linux
Are you a Linux user who wants to install Docker? If so, you don’t need to use the GUI application Docker Desktop. Unlike Windows and macOS users, who prefer the GUI to install Docker, Linux users have the option of installing Docker Engine. Contrary to the desktop application, Docker Engine consumes significantly fewer resources, with 1 to 2 GB of memory (RAM) being enough for it to run smoothly.
How do you choose the right hosting solution for Docker to run on a Linux Server?
Cloud Servers: With a cloud server from Net2Secure, you can host your Docker on virtualized resources in the cloud. Performance can be increased or decreased based on your computing requirements, and the price is determined according to usage.
VPS: VPS Servers from Net2Secure also use virtualized hardware, although, unlike cloud servers, only one host system is used. Another big difference between the two is that you pay a fixed monthly price with vServers.
Dedicated Servers: With dedicated servers from Net2Secure, your server runs on hardware that has not been virtualized. You receive a clearly defined server setup and only pay for the resources you use.
Step by Step Guide to Install Docker on Linux
Step 1: Update Your System
Before installing Docker, it’s always recommended to update your package repository to ensure you get the latest versions of dependencies. Run the following command:
bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y #For Ubuntu/Debian
sudo dnf update -y #For CentOS/RHEL
Step 2: Install Required Dependencies
To install Docker, you need some essential packages that allow the installation via HTTPS. Run the appropriate command based on your Linux distribution:
For Ubuntu/Debian:
bash
sudo apt install -y ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release
For Ubuntu/Debian:
bash
sudo apt install -y yum-utils
Step 3: Add Docker’s Official GPG Key and Repository
Next, you need to add the official Docker repository to your package manager to get the latest stable version.
For Ubuntu/Debian, add the repository and GPG key:
bash
sudo mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo tee
/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg > /dev/null
echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg]
https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null.
Then update your package index again:
bash
sudo apt update
For CentOS/RHEL, enable the Docker repository:
sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo
https://download.docker.com/linux/centos/docker-ce.repo
Step 4: Install Docker Engine
Now, install Docker Engine using the package manager.
For Ubuntu/Debian, run:
bash
sudo apt install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin
For CentOS/RHEL, run:
sudo dnf install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin
Step 5: Start and Enable Docker Service
Once the installation is complete, start the Docker service and enable it to start on boot:
bash
sudo sysytemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker
To verify that Docker is running:
bash
sudo sysytemctl status docker
You should see output indicating that Docker is running.
Step 6: Verify Docker Installation
To check if Docker is installed correctly, run:
bash
sudo docker --version
This should return an output like:
nginx
Docker version 24.0.5, build 12345
You can also run a test container to confirm that Docker is working properly:
bash
sudo docker run hello-world
If the installation is successful, you will see a message that confirms Docker is up and running.
Step 7: Run Docker Without Sudo (Optional
By default, Docker requires sudo privileges. If you want to run Docker as a non-root user, you need to add your user to the Docker group:
bash
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
Then, log out and log back in to apply the changes. Now, you should be able to run Docker without sudo:
bash
docker run hello-world
Step 8: Enable Docker to Start on Boot (Optional but Recommended)
If you want Docker to start automatically whenever your server reboots, enable it with:
bash
sudo systemctl enable docker
Step 9: Configure Docker for Better Performance (Optional)
If you're using Docker on a production system, you may want to configure log rotation and other settings to optimize performance. You can do this by modifying the daemon.json file:
bash
sudo nano /etc/docker/daemon.json
Add the following configuration:
json
{
"log-driver": "json-file",
"log-opts":{
"max-size": ""10m",
"max-file": "3"
},
"Storge-driver": "overlay2"
}
Save the file and restart Docker:
bash
sudo systemctl restart docker
Step 10: Uninstall Docker (If required)
If you ever need to remove Docker, use the following commands:
For Ubuntu/Debian:
bash
sudo apt remove --purge docker-ce decoker-ce-cli containerd.io -y
sudo rm -rf /var/lib/docker
For CentOS/RHEL
bash
sudo dnf remove -y docker-ce docke-ce-cli conatainered.io
sudo rm -rf /var/lib/docker
Conclusion
Indeed, Docker has transformed the way applications are developed, deployed, and managed by a lightweight and scalable containerization platform. With its ability to package applications along with their dependencies, Docker certifies consistency across various environments, making it a crucial tool for developers, system administrators, and DevOps professionals.
In this blog post, we have explained how to run Docker on a Linux dedicated server. Also, it is important to select the right hosting solution to ensure better performance for your Docker workloads. By following the installation steps outlined in this guide, you should now have a fully functional Docker setup on your Linux system.
Whether you're using Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, or RHEL, Docker provides a powerful way to deploy applications seamlessly. For businesses and individuals looking for a high-performance hosting environment, choosing a reliable provider like Net2Secure ensures that Docker runs smoothly on enterprise-grade infrastructure with scalability and security in mind.