22 Never the end
Docker’s versatility makes it valuable for everything from modernizing legacy systems to building cloud-native applications. This chapter encourages you to turn learning into action: apply what you’ve practiced, demonstrate value with a focused initiative, and chart a clear path forward. It closes by highlighting the broader Docker community as a resource for growth and collaboration.
A strong next step is a proof of concept that goes beyond basic image builds and single-container runs. Containerize multiple components to showcase Docker Compose, adopt best practices like multi-stage builds and optimized golden images, and include observability with centralized logs and metrics backed by meaningful dashboards. Add a simple CI/CD pipeline (for example, with Jenkins in a container or GitHub Actions) and model the app for Kubernetes to demonstrate portability. Keep the scope tight—think about a five-day effort with a straightforward app—and, if work buy-in is hard, build momentum at home with projects like Home Assistant or Pi-Hole on a Raspberry Pi.
To win organizational support, tailor the message to each stakeholder: developers gain consistent, production-like environments; operators benefit from standard APIs and automated, reliable deployments; DBAs can enable self-service dev/test databases with versioned schemas; security teams get defense-in-depth with golden images, scanning, signing, and runtime protection; business owners see faster, safer releases; and leadership can realize substantial cost savings by consolidating from VMs to containers. For production, define your end goal and roadmap, then choose between managed container services and Kubernetes. Managed services are an easy on-ramp, but Kubernetes often fits best for most organizations—acknowledging its learning curve and operational needs on-premises, where a dedicated team or commercial platforms like Rancher may be appropriate.
Meet the Docker community
I’ll end this book by making sure you know that you’re not alone. The Docker community is huge, there’s a very active online space, and in-person meetups are held worldwide. You’re sure to find people who are happy to share their knowledge and experience, and the Docker community is just about the friendliest one out there. Here’s where to join:
- The Docker Community Slack group—https://dockr.ly/slack.
- Find an in-person or virtual meetup—https://events.docker.com.
- Follow the Docker Captains; these are community members recognized by Docker for their expertise and sharing—www.docker.com/community/captains.
- DockerCon, the container conference—https://dockercon.com.
I’m part of that community too—you’ll find me on the Community Slack @elton-stoneman and on X (formerly Twitter) @EltonStoneman; feel free to reach out to me anytime. Other places you’ll find me are GitHub (@sixeyed) and my blog https://blog.sixeyed.com. Thanks for reading. I hope you found this book useful, and I hope Docker takes you places.
FAQ
What does this final chapter cover, and why is Docker such an exciting technology to learn?
It recaps how containers can be applied to everything from running your own Git server to modernizing legacy apps and building cloud‑native services. It offers practical hints for turning what you’ve learned into real results and closes with an introduction to the Docker community.What’s a good first proof‑of‑concept (PoC) to try with Docker?
Pick one of your own applications and migrate it to containers. Containerizing a familiar app lets you apply the skills you’ve learned, build confidence, and produce something tangible you can demo to your team.What should I include in my PoC beyond just building and running containers?
- Containerize more than one component and use Docker Compose to run different app configurations (see chapter 10).
- Apply best practices from the start: multi‑stage Dockerfiles, optimized layers, and your own golden base images (see chapter 17).
- Add observability: centralized logging (chapter 19) and metrics (chapter 9). A Grafana dashboard and searchable logs in Kibana elevate the PoC.
- Wire up a simple CI/CD pipeline—Jenkins in a container (chapter 11) or GitHub Actions (chapter 16)—to show end‑to‑end automation.
- Model the app for Kubernetes (chapter 15) and run it locally on Docker Desktop to demonstrate portability to the cloud.
How much effort should a PoC take, and who needs to be involved?
Keep it lean. With a straightforward app, you can complete a well‑scoped PoC in about five days. It doesn’t require the whole team—treat it as a focused side project that proves value quickly.What if I can’t get approval to use Docker at work?
Practice at home. A Raspberry Pi can run impressive software stacks in containers. Popular options include Home Assistant (to centralize smart devices) and Pi‑hole (network‑wide ad blocking and caching). Using Docker regularly—anywhere—builds real proficiency.How do I make a compelling case for Docker across the organization?
- Developers: Run entire stacks locally with the same tech as production. No more dependency drift; shared tooling with ops promotes joint ownership.
- Operators/Admins: Standard tools and processes across apps, consistent APIs for logs/metrics/config, automated deploys/rollbacks, fewer failures, more frequent releases.
- DBAs: Even if you don’t run databases in containers in prod, containers enable developer/test self‑service. Schemas move to source control and images, bringing CI/CD to databases.
- Security: Adopt defense‑in‑depth—golden images, image scanning and signing for a secure supply chain; runtime tools (e.g., Aqua, Twistlock) to monitor and stop attacks.
- Business/Product: Self‑healing apps, health dashboards, and continuous deployment mean higher quality and faster delivery of features.
- Senior Management: Cost savings from consolidating VMs to containers—run more apps on fewer servers and reduce OS licensing.
- IT Management: Containers are mainstream; clouds offer managed platforms. Adopting Docker modernizes the stack and helps retain talent.
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