Setting Up Docker on Your Local Machine using Docker Desktop (Mac)

Bradston Henry - Feb 19 '21 - - Dev Community

Before you can really get started using the Containerization tool Docker, it's necessary to install it in on your local machine.

In this short blog, I will show you the steps for setting up Docker (using Docker Desktop) on your Mac.

Note: Docker's website does a great job of showing the steps it takes to install Docker, so feel free to check it out there. My Blog will cover the steps I personally took to setup the Docker on my machine.


Mac Installation

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Step 1: Download Docker Desktop

Visit the Official Docker Website to download Docker Desktop for the Mac here: https://docs.docker.com/docker-for-mac/install/

Once at the page, Select the button "Download from DockerHub" (under the Heading Install Docker Desktop on Mac)
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Once at Docker Hub, Select the "Get Docker" button on the right side of the page:

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When prompted, save file to computer at a location you can easily navigate to.

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Step 2: Install Docker Desktop

Once the .dmg file is downloaded, navigate to file, and open the file (double-click). This should initiate the .dmg to be unpackaged.
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After opening, a small window showing the Docker App Icon and your "Applications" Folder should appear. Drag The Docker Icon onto the "Applications" folder (This will allow Docker app to appear in your Launchpad as well)
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A prompt that the Docker app is being copied should now appear.
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Open your Applications Folder (or Launchpad) and you should see that the Docker application has appeared.
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Step 3: Verify Docker Desktop Installation

Open the "Docker" application (by double-clicking in Applications Folder or single-clicking in Launchpad). Wait a few moments and you should now see the Docker icon appear in your Menu Bar at the top of the screen NOTE: If asked "Are sure you want to open it?" when opening application, select "Open"
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Now click on the Docker icon that has just appeared in your menu bar and select the "Dashboard" option in the menu
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Once you have selected the "Dashboard" option" you should be presented with a screen that looks something like this:
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Congratulations! you have successfully installed Docker on your Mac

Now, your next step will be to actually use Docker to containerize an application! In my next weeks blog, I will walk you through what I did to containerize a NodeJS app using Docker.

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Looking to learn more about Containers and containerization?

Check out great opportunities to learn more about containers and IBM developer site:

IBM Developer Containers Knowledge Center

Also, Get hands-on experience to build applications with speed, agility, and confidence using Red Hat OpenShift with the Kubernetes World Tour near you:

Kubernetes World Tour

==== BONUS LEARNING ====

Containerization: Starting with Docker

https://developer.ibm.com/technologies/containers/tutorials/building-docker-images-locally-and-in-cloud/

Kubernetes vs. Docker: It's Not an Either/Or Question

Kubernetes Explained

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