Introduction

Docker is a powerful platform that allows developers to automate the deployment of applications inside lightweight containers. Creating Docker images with a Dockerfile is a common practice that simplifies the process of building and distributing applications. This guide will walk you through the steps to create Docker images using a Dockerfile on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, which can be effectively hosted on a Windows VPS UK for optimal performance and scalability.

Prerequisites

• An Ubuntu 22.04 LTS server with root access
• Basic knowledge of Linux commands
• Docker installed on your server

Step 1: Update Your System

Begin by updating your package index and upgrading existing packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Docker

If you haven’t installed Docker yet, you can do so with the following commands:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common -y
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo apt-key add -
echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker-ce -y

Start Docker and enable it to run on boot:

sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

Step 3: Create a Dockerfile

Create a directory for your Docker project:

mkdir ~/mydockerapp
cd ~/mydockerapp

Now, create a file named Dockerfile:

nano Dockerfile

Add the following basic structure to your Dockerfile:

FROM ubuntu:22.04
MAINTAINER Your Name <your.email@example.com>

RUN apt update && apt install -y \
    curl \
    vim

CMD ["bash"]

This example sets up an Ubuntu 22.04 base image and installs curl and vim.

Step 4: Build the Docker Image

Use the following command to build the Docker image from your Dockerfile:

sudo docker build -t mydockerapp .

This command will build the image and tag it as mydockerapp.

Step 5: Verify the Docker Image

To verify that your Docker image was created successfully, run:

sudo docker images

You should see mydockerapp listed in the output.

Step 6: Run the Docker Container

Run a container based on your newly created image:

sudo docker run -it mydockerapp

This will start a new container and give you an interactive bash shell.

Step 7: Conclusion

You have successfully created a Docker image using a Dockerfile on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. This method simplifies the deployment of applications and can be easily hosted on a Windows VPS. For additional options, explore various VPS UK Windows solutions, including Windows Virtual Private Server Hosting and Windows VPS Hosting UK for optimal performance.