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Installing and Managing Docker on Ubuntu VPS: A Step-by-Step Guide

Installing and Managing Docker on Ubuntu VPS: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re running an Ubuntu VPS from Vicservers, Docker is one of the most powerful tools you can add to your toolkit. It allows you to package applications into containers, making deployment faster, more secure, and consistent across environments.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through installing and managing Docker on Ubuntu, so you can start building and running containers in minutes.

Why Use Docker on Your Ubuntu VPS?

Docker is the go-to containerization platform because it:

  • Eliminates “it works on my machine” issues
  • Speeds up deployments
  • Uses resources efficiently
  • Scales easily

Whether you’re hosting a website, running microservices, or experimenting with new apps, Docker keeps your environment clean and predictable.

1️⃣ Update Your VPS

Before installing anything, ensure your package list and existing packages are up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2️⃣ Install Required Packages

Docker needs some dependencies to work correctly:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common -y

3️⃣ Add Docker’s Official GPG Key

This ensures the packages come from a trusted source:

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/docker.gpg

4️⃣ Add Docker Repository

echo \
"deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/docker.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu \
$(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

5️⃣ Install Docker Engine

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io -y

6️⃣ Enable and Start Docker

sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo systemctl start docker

7️⃣ Verify Installation

docker --version

If you see the version number, Docker is ready to go

Managing Docker on Your VPS

Check Docker Status

sudo systemctl status docker

Run a Test Container

sudo docker run hello-world

List Running Containers

sudo docker ps

Stop a Container

sudo docker stop <container_id>

Remove a Container

sudo docker rm <container_id>

Bonus: Run Docker Without Sudo

If you want to run Docker commands without typing sudo every time:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
newgrp docker

Thoughts

Installing Docker on your Ubuntu VPS is straightforward, and once it’s up and running, you’ll unlock an entire ecosystem of portable, efficient applications. Whether you’re a developer, sysadmin, or just exploring, Docker helps you make the most of your Vicservers VPS.

Tip: Keep your Docker version updated for the latest features and security patches:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade docker-ce -y

Deploying Your First App with Docker Compose on Ubuntu VPS

In our previous guide, we showed you how to install and manage Docker on your Ubuntu VPS. Now, it’s time to level up and learn how to use Docker Compose — a powerful tool that lets you run multi-container applications with just one command.

If Docker is the engine, Docker Compose is the orchestration tool that helps you manage apps made up of multiple containers.

Conclusion

With Docker Compose on your Ubuntu VPS, you can manage complex applications easily, deploy faster, and maintain a cleaner server environment. This is a game-changer for developers and businesses looking to scale their services without the headaches of traditional setups.

 

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