Overview
Docker is a software platform that allows you to build, test, and deploy applications quickly. Docker packages software into standardized units called containers that have everything the software needs to run including libraries, system tools, code, and runtime. Using Docker, you can quickly deploy and scale applications into any environment and know your code will run.
Running Docker on AWS provides developers and admins a highly reliable, low-cost way to build, ship, and run distributed applications at any scale.
Recent announcements: Docker collaborates with AWS to help developers speed delivery of modern apps to the cloud. This collaboration helps developers use Docker Compose and Docker Desktop to leverage the same local workflow they use today to seamlessly deploy apps on Amazon ECS and AWS Fargate. Read the blog for more information.
How Docker works
Docker works by providing a standard way to run your code. Docker is an operating system for containers. Similar to how a virtual machine virtualizes (removes the need to directly manage) server hardware, containers virtualize the operating system of a server. Docker is installed on each server and provides simple commands you can use to build, start, or stop containers.
AWS services such as AWS Fargate, Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, and AWS Batch make it easy to run and manage Docker containers at scale.
Why use Docker
Using Docker lets you ship code faster, standardize application operations, seamlessly move code, and save money by improving resource utilization. With Docker, you get a single object that can reliably run anywhere. Docker's simple and straightforward syntax gives you full control. Wide adoption means there's a robust ecosystem of tools and off-the-shelf applications that are ready to use with Docker.
Ship More Software Faster
Docker users on average ship software 7x more frequently than non-Docker users. Docker enables you to ship isolated services as often as needed.
Standardize Operations
Small containerized applications make it easy to deploy, identify issues, and roll back for remediation.
Seamlessly Move
Docker-based applications can be seamlessly moved from local development machines to production deployments on AWS.
Save Money
Docker containers make it easier to run more code on each server, improving your utilization and saving you money.
When to use Docker
You can use Docker containers as a core building block creating modern applications and platforms. Docker makes it easy to build and run distributed microservices architecures, deploy your code with standardized continuous integration and delivery pipelines, build highly-scalable data processing systems, and create fully-managed platforms for your developers. The recent collaboration between AWS and Docker makes it easier for you to deploy Docker Compose artifacts to Amazon ECS and AWS Fargate.
Microservices
Build and scale distributed application architectures by taking advantage of standardized code deployments using Docker containers.
Continuous Integration & Delivery
Accelerate application delivery by standardizing environments and removing conflicts between language stacks and versions.
Data Processing
Provide big data processing as a service. Package data and analytics packages into portable containers that can be executed by non-technical users.
Containers as a Service
Build and ship distributed applications with content and infrastructure that is IT-managed and secured.