Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
This curriculum is designed to align with the Docker Certified Associate (DCA) exam domains, ensuring comprehensive coverage of key Docker Engine, Swarm, Kubernetes, and Enterprise topics.
| Module | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| 1. Installation & Configuration | System requirements, Engine & Swarm install, UCP/DTR, daemon config, CA auth |
| 2. Image Management | Dockerfile optimization, CLI image ops, registry deployment, best practices |
| 3. Storage & Volumes | Storage drivers, layer inspection, volumes, Kubernetes PV/PVC, StorageClass |
| 4. Networking | Network namespaces, bridge/overlay, port publishing, DNS, K8s Services/Ingress, Policies |
| 5. Security | Docker Content Trust, Engine & Swarm hardening, RBAC with UCP, image scanning |
| 6. Orchestration | Swarm services/stacks, Kubernetes Pods/Deployments/Services, scaling, rollouts |
1. Installation & Configuration
We begin with the foundation:- Sizing & System Requirements: RAM, CPU, and OS compatibility
- Installing Docker Engine: Official packages, repository setup
- Swarm Setup: Initializing a Swarm cluster, manager/worker roles
- Docker Enterprise Components: UCP and DTR overview and deployment
- User & Team Management: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
- Daemon Configuration: JSON configs,
daemon.jsonoptions, TLS certs - Namespaces & cgroups: Resource isolation fundamentals
- Troubleshooting & DR: Backup strategies, disaster recovery planning
2. Image Management
Master image lifecycle and optimization:- Writing Efficient Dockerfiles
- Multi-Stage Builds & Build Cache best practices
- Docker CLI:
docker push,pull,rmi,inspect - Tagging & Layer Inspection:
docker history, layer minimization - Registry Operations: Deploying a private registry, searching, and cleanup
3. Storage & Volumes
Understand how containers persist and share data:- Storage Drivers: overlay2, aufs, aufs alternatives per OS
- Inspecting Image Layers on the host filesystem
- Volume Management: Creating, mounting, pruning unused volumes
- Kubernetes Storage: Persistent Volumes (PV), Persistent Volume Claims (PVC), Storage Classes

4. Networking
Dive into container connectivity and service exposure:- Linux Network Namespaces & CNM
- Built-in Drivers:
bridge,host,overlay - Port Publishing & External DNS setup
- Overlay Networks: Deploying multi-host services
- Network Troubleshooting:
docker network inspect, packet captures - Kubernetes Traffic Routing: Services, Ingress Controllers, Network Policies

5. Security
Implement best practices to harden your container environment:- Docker Content Trust & Image Signing
- Engine & Swarm Security: TLS, mutual auth, secret management
- Identity & RBAC with UCP managers and workers
- Image Scanning: Static analysis tools, vulnerability reports
- Integrating UCP with LDAP/AD for centralized auth

6. Orchestration
Compare and contrast Docker Swarm with Kubernetes:- Swarm Architecture: Managers, workers, Raft consensus
- Swarm Services & Stacks: Compose file v3, rolling updates
- Kubernetes Fundamentals: Pods, Deployments, ReplicaSets, Services
- Advanced K8s: Horizontal Pod Autoscaling, liveness/readiness probes
- Integration with Docker Enterprise: UCP scheduling, DTR-based images
The curriculum is organized into four progressive sections:
- Docker Engine – Core installation, config, and basic operations
- Docker Swarm – Native orchestration model
- Kubernetes – Industry-standard orchestration
- Docker Enterprise – UCP/DTR integrations and advanced management
To maximize your learning experience, we recommend:
- Completion of Docker for Beginners
- Completion of Kubernetes for Beginners
- Docker Swarm fundamentals
- Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
In the next lesson, we’ll start with Module 1: Docker Engine Installation & Configuration.
Links and References
- Docker Documentation
- Kubernetes Documentation
- Docker Certified Associate Exam Domains
- Docker Content Trust Guide