Docker Tutorial Part 4: Networks

tabularasa8931@gmail.com (Han) — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This is part of my Docker Basics series — introductory guides to help you get started with Docker, learn key concepts, and build your skills step by step.

Part 1: Understanding Container
Part 2: Basic Commands
Part 3: Dockerfile
Part 4: Networks

Docker Networking

Docker offers four built-in network drivers: none, bridge, host, and overlay.

Bridge (default): Creates an isolated, software-defined network. Containers on the same bridge get private IPs and can communicate with each other, while anything outside can’t reach them unless you explicitly publish ports.
Host: Removes the isolation layer and uses the host’s network stack directly. The container shares the host’s IP address and network interfaces.
Overlay: Builds a virtual network that spans multiple Docker hosts, so containers on different machines can talk as if they’re on the same one—handy for Docker Swarm.
None: Disables networking (other than loopback) for the container.

You can create and manage custom networks of any of these types with the Docker CLI.

Network on Han's XYZ

Docker Tutorial Part 4: Networks

Docker Networking