Introduction and Importance for FDEs
Docker stands out as one of the most important Docker Tools in a Forward Deployed Engineer’s toolbelt. When deploying software in a customer’s environment, the phrase “it worked on my machine” can only get you so far. Consequently, containers allow you to bundle your software and its dependencies in a way that you can deploy consistently in any environment. Therefore, here are the important docker tools that every FDE should know, as well as how you can apply them in your day-to-day work.
Docker Tools: Why Docker Matters for FDEs
Customer environments can often be unpredictable places. To be able to deploy your software in a way that will not surprise you, or worse, your customer, provides a huge advantage. Specifically, this is where containers come in; by packaging your software with its dependencies in a single unit, you can deploy it in any environment without worrying that it will behave differently than expected.
Docker Tools: Docker Engine + CLI
1. Docker Engine + CLI
Undoubtedly, the first tools that any FDE should learn are the docker engine + cli. Furthermore, the cli provides you with commands to build your images, run your containers, inspect container logs, and even execute commands inside a container if you find yourself debugging in production (which you shouldn’t do). Accordingly, the essential commands to know are:
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Use
docker buildto construct your image. -
Run your image with
docker run. -
Check
docker ps + logsto see what is running and spot any potential errors. -
Execute commands in your running container using
docker exec. Ultimately, these few commands should be enough to troubleshoot almost any issue.
2. Dockerfile
Next, the dockerfile is where the magic happens. You can think about it as a simple text file that contains all the directions for building your image. Moreover, FDEs who write good dockerfiles will create leaner, meaner images with smaller attack surfaces and better overall performance. Thus, here are a few best practices to follow when writing dockerfiles:
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Opt for small base images.
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Fix versions for all dependencies.
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Select non-root users when possible.
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Implement multi-stage builds when possible. In addition, the dockerfile itself acts as documentation for your project because it describes all the requirements someone needs to run your application.
Docker Tools: Containerization and Security
3. Docker Compose
Meanwhile, docker-compose is a tool that allows you to run multiple services at once by defining them in a single yml file and executing them with a single command. As a result, docker compose is perfect for running local development environments, demos, and even some smaller customer deployments.
4. Container Registries
Afterward, the next tool to learn is a registry, which is a centralized location where teams store and distribute images. For instance, some of the most popular registries include Docker Hub, Amazon ECR, Google’s Artifact Registry, and Azure’s ACR. Occasionally, you might find yourself deploying to a registry that a customer has set up internally; thus, you must know how to authenticate and push images to it. Typically, your most common task will involve tagging and pushing a specific version of your project to the designated registry.
5. Docker Desktop
Additionally, Docker Desktop is a great tool featuring a GUI and a local environment for building and testing your containers. Because it works seamlessly on Windows, Mac, and Linux, it serves as a fantastic starting point. However, you should also be mindful of the fact that Docker enforces some licensing restrictions for enterprise-grade usage.
Image Scanning and Kubernetes
6. Image Scanning Tools
Often, when working with security teams, you might find yourself in a situation where they want to scan your images for known vulnerabilities. Notably, some popular vendors for this include Docker Scout, Trivy, and Snyk. Furthermore, you can run these tools to check your images and proactively remediate any issues that they uncover. By doing this ahead of time, you help both yourself and your customer prevent unexpected last-minute roadblocks.
7. Kubernetes (The Next Step)
Generally, most larger customers rely on Kubernetes for their container orchestration. Although you do not need to know Kubernetes inside and out, understanding the basics of pods, deployments, and services remains a good idea. Otherwise, the platform team at your customer site might ask you how to deploy your application inside their cluster and catch you off guard. To prepare, you can start by playing with some local Kubernetes clusters using minikube or kind.
8. Monitoring + Debugging Tools
Finally, once you successfully deploy your application, you must think about how to monitor and debug it in the future. Naturally, Docker includes some built-in tools for doing this. Nevertheless, setting up custom dashboards using platforms like Portainer or Grafana often proves worthwhile to assist with long-term debugging and performance monitoring.
Docker Tools: Customer Deployment Tips and Final Thoughts
Tips for Using Docker in Customer Environments
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First, document everything, including a README that describes how developers can build and run your project.
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Second, never put secrets in your images; instead, use environment variables or a dedicated secret management system.
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Third, always tag versions correctly and strictly avoid using the word “latest.”
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Next, test everything in a clean environment prior to deployment.
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Lastly, ask about environmental constraints ahead of time, since some customers place limitations on registries, open ports, and more.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, you don’t need to learn all these tools at once. I recommend mastering the CLI, Dockerfile, and Docker Compose first. Once you get comfortable with these foundational elements, you can easily move on to registries, scanning tools, and Kubernetes. Ultimately, mastering these essential Docker Tools will make you a much better, more confident FDE.
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