Docker Hub Tutorial – Features, Webhooks, & Commands in Docker

Today, in this Docker Tutorial, we will see the Docker Hub Tutorial. Moreover, we will look at features and Webhooks in Docker. Also, we will see how to create a Docker ID and commands.

So, let’s start the Docker Hub Tutorial.

What is Docker Hub?

Simply put, a registry service on the cloud which permits us to download Docker images that are built by other communities is what we call a Docker Hub.

However, Docker Hub offers several services:

• Docker image hosting
• User authentication
• Automated image builds and workflow tools like build triggers and web hooks
• Integration with GitHub and also we can upload our own Bitbucket
• Docker built images to Docker hub.

In other words, it is a cloud-based registry service that permits us to build our images & test them, link to code repositories, stores manually pushed images, as well as links to Docker Cloud so we can easily deploy images to our hosts.

Moreover, it offers a centralized resource for distribution and change management, container image discovery, user and team collaboration, as well as workflow automation throughout the development pipeline.

Features of Docker Hub

Here we are listing some best Docker hub features:

i. Image Repositories

This feature helps to find and pull images from the official libraries and community, and also manage, push to, and pull from private image libraries to that we have access.

ii. Automated Builds

While we make changes to a source code repository, automatically create new images.

iii. Webhooks

Webhooks helps us trigger actions after a successful push to a repository.

iv. Organizations

In order to manage access to image repositories, create workgroups.

v. GitHub and Bitbucket Integration

It allows adding the Hub and our Docker images to our current workflows.

How to Create a Docker ID?

We require to create an account by following the directions in our Docker ID:

Basically, our Docker ID gives us a private Docker Hub repository for free. Although, you can upgrade from your free account to a paid plan if we need more private repositories.

• Explore repositories

Generally, in two ways we can find public repositories and images from Docker Hub. Either we can “Search” from its website, or we can use the Docker command line tool to run the docker search command.

For instance, as we are looking for an Ubuntu image, hence we can run the following command line search:

   $ docker search ubuntu

However, with both the methods we can list the available public repositories on it those matches the search term.

• Use Official Repositories

There is a various number of Official Repositories in Docker Hub. Although, official repositories refers to public, certified repositories from vendors as well as contributors to Docker.

They carry Docker images from vendors such as Canonical, Oracle, and Red Hat which we can use as the basis to build our applications as well as services.

With the help of Official Repositories, we know we’re using an optimized and up-to-date image which was built by experts to power our applications.

Work With Docker Hub Image Repositories

It offers a place for us and our team to build and ship Docker images.

It is possible to configure Docker Hub repositories in various ways:

Repositories, that permits us to push images from a local Docker daemon to Docker Hub.

And, automated builds, that link to a source code repository and trigger an image rebuild process on Docker Hub at the time when changes are detected in the source code.

In addition, we can create public repositories that can be accessed by any other Hub user, or we can create private repositories with limited access we control.

Repositories on Docker Hub

Repositories help us to share images with customers, co-workers, or the Docker community at large.

If we’re building our images internally, either on our own Docker daemon or using our own Continuous integration services, we can push them to a Docker Hub repository that we add to our user or organization account.

Official Repositories on Docker Hub

A curated set of Docker repositories hosted on Docker Hub are the Docker Official Repositories. Basically, these Official repositories are designed to:

It offers essential base OS repositories (like, ubuntu, centos) which serve as the starting point for the majority of users.

Also, offers drop-in solutions for data stores, popular programming language runtimes, and other services, as same as a Platform-as-a-Service (PAAS) would offer.

Official repositories exemplify Dockerfile best practices and also offers clear documentation to serve as a reference for other Dockerfile authors.

Make sure that security updates are applied in a timely manner.

Docker Commands and Docker Hub

It is possible to access to Docker Hub services by following commands, like the docker search, pull, login, as well as push commands:

i. docker search

It helps to search the Docker Hub for images.

Command:

docker search [OPTIONS] TERM

ii. docker pull

This command Pull an image or a repository from a registry.

Command:

docker pull [OPTIONS] NAME[:TAG|@DIGEST]

iii. docker login

This command helps to Log into a Docker registry.

Command:

docker login [OPTIONS] [SERVER]

iv. docker push

This command helps to Push an image or a repository to a registry.

Command:

docker push [OPTIONS] NAME[:TAG]

Webhooks in Docker

There is a Webhook feature offered by Docker Hub. On defining, Webhooks, they are automated HTTP callbacks triggered by user-designated events. In order to notify any person, application or service that uses the respective images, Docker Hub repository owners can use webhooks.

Moreover, Webhooks can function in cascading chains.

For instance, let’s suppose a user uploads a new container image, that triggers a testing application or tool to run its test; completion will trigger container deployment if the test is successful, and the successful container deployment triggers a final webhook to log the changes in a separate tool.

Conclusion

As a result, we have seen whole about Docker Hub in detail. Besides, if any doubt occurs, feel free to ask in the comment section. We will definitely reply on same. Hope it helps!