Docker Registry

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

What it is

The Registry is a stateless, highly scalable server side application that stores and lets you distribute Docker images. The Registry is open-source, under the permissive Apache license.

Why use it

You should use the Registry if you want to:

  • tightly control where your images are being stored
  • fully own your images distribution pipeline
  • integrate image storage and distribution tightly into your in-house development workflow

Alternatives

Users looking for a zero maintenance, ready-to-go solution are encouraged to head-over to the Docker Hub, which provides a free-to-use, hosted Registry, plus additional features (organization accounts, automated builds, and more).

Users looking for a commercially supported version of the Registry should look into Docker Trusted Registry.

Requirements

The Registry is compatible with Docker engine version 1.6.0 or higher. If you really need to work with older Docker versions, you should look into the old python registry.

TL;DR

Start your registry

docker run -d -p 5000:5000 --name registry registry:2

Pull (or build) some image from the hub

docker pull ubuntu

Tag the image so that it points to your registry

docker tag ubuntu localhost:5000/myfirstimage

Push it

docker push localhost:5000/myfirstimage

Pull it back

docker pull localhost:5000/myfirstimage

Now stop your registry and remove all data

docker stop registry && docker rm -v registry

Next

You should now read the detailed introduction about the registry, or jump directly to deployment instructions.

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