Docker & Kubernetes Course Content (1000 Words)

Docker and Kubernetes together form the backbone of modern DevOps, cloud-native development, and microservices architecture. As companies shift from traditional monolithic infrastructure to containerized and orchestrated environments, professionals with Docker and Kubernetes skills are in extremely high demand. This comprehensive course provides end-to-end knowledge—from foundational concepts to advanced real-world deployment techniques. Students will master how to build, package, ship, deploy, orchestrate, scale, and manage containerized applications using Docker and Kubernetes.

Module 1: Introduction to Containers & DevOps Concepts

The course begins with an introduction to virtualization, traditional deployment models, and why containers are transforming the industry. Students learn the difference between virtual machines and containers, the advantages of containerization, and how Docker fits into the DevOps pipeline. This module explains CI/CD, microservices architecture, cloud-native development, immutable infrastructure, and modern workflow automation. Students gain clarity on how containers solve challenges like dependency conflicts, inconsistent deployments, and scaling complexity.

Module 2: Docker Fundamentals

This module introduces learners to Docker—what it is, how it works, and its architecture. Topics include Docker Engine, Docker Daemon, Docker CLI, container lifecycle, and image layering. Students learn how Docker uses namespaces, cgroups, and union file systems to isolate resources and ensure efficiency. By building and running their first containers, students understand how applications and services are packaged for consistent execution across environments.

Module 3: Docker Installation & Setup

Students perform complete environment setup on Windows, macOS, or Linux. They configure Docker Desktop, Docker Engine, and required dependencies. The module includes verifying installations, understanding Docker context, enabling WSL2 (for Windows), and troubleshooting common installation issues. The goal is to ensure every student has a fully functional container development environment.

Module 4: Working with Docker Images & Containers

This module covers:

Pulling images from Docker Hub

Running and stopping containers

Attaching to containers

Executing commands inside containers

Understanding layered image architecture

Creating custom Dockerfiles

Students build optimized Docker images, learn multi-stage builds, understand caching, and implement best practices for container performance and security. Hands-on exercises include containerizing applications in Node.js, Python, Java, or any chosen stack.

Module 5: Docker Networking & Storage

Networking and data management are critical in container orchestration. Topics include:

Bridge, host, and overlay networks

Container-to-container communication

Network isolation and ports

Docker volumes

Bind mounts vs managed volumes

Persistent storage

Secrets management

Students implement real-world use cases such as multi-container communication, persistent database storage, and secure handling of configuration files.

Module 6: Docker Compose & Multi-Container Applications

Docker Compose allows orchestration of multi-container environments. Students learn:

Writing docker-compose.yml files

Services, networks, volumes

Startup dependencies

Building multi-container applications

Scaling services

Logging and monitoring

Projects include setting up a multi-container web application with frontend, backend, and database containers.

Module 7: Introduction to Kubernetes

This module explains why Kubernetes is the world’s leading container orchestration platform. Students explore Kubernetes architecture, components, benefits, and typical use cases in microservices and cloud-native development. They also understand the differences between Docker Swarm and Kubernetes. Concepts covered include clusters, nodes, pods, services, deployments, stateful sets, and controllers.

Module 8: Kubernetes Architecture Deep Dive

Students gain an in-depth understanding of core Kubernetes components:

Control Plane: API Server, etcd, Scheduler, Controller Manager

Worker Nodes: Kubelet, Kube Proxy, Container Runtime

The role of CNI plugins

Kubernetes objects & declarative configuration

YAML manifest structure

This foundational understanding helps students design scalable and maintainable Kubernetes applications.

Module 9: Kubernetes Installation & Cluster Setup

Learners set up Kubernetes locally (Minikube or Kind) or on cloud platforms (EKS, AKS, GKE). They configure kubectl, understand kubeconfig files, and practice interacting with the cluster. By setting up their own clusters, students gain confidence to manage and troubleshoot Kubernetes environments.

Module 10: Working with Pods, Labels, Selectors & ReplicaSets

This module covers:

Creating & managing pods

Multi-container pods

Labels & selectors

ReplicaSets for scalability

Self-healing features in Kubernetes

Pod lifecycle & termination policies

Students build real examples such as stateless apps with auto-restart capabilities.

Module 11: Deployments, Rollouts & Rollbacks

Deployments are at the core of Kubernetes. Students learn:

Creating & updating deployments

Rolling updates

Rollback strategies

Scaling deployments

Deployment health checks

Image versioning for CI/CD

Hands-on exercises allow students to deploy a full microservice application using real-world rollout practices.

Module 12: Kubernetes Networking & Services

This module focuses on:

ClusterIP, NodePort, LoadBalancer services

DNS & service discovery

Ingress & ingress controllers

Networking rules & routing

Load balancing internal & external traffic

Students build ingress-enabled applications with custom routing and HTTPS configuration.

Module 13: ConfigMaps, Secrets & Environment Management

Students learn how to manage application configurations using:

ConfigMaps

Secrets

Environment variables

Injecting data into pods

Secure key management practices

This ensures secure and flexible application deployment.

Module 14: Storage in Kubernetes

Persistent storage is essential for stateful applications. Students learn:

PersistentVolumes (PV)

PersistentVolumeClaims (PVC)

StorageClasses

Dynamic provisioning

StatefulSets for stateful workloads

Hands-on labs include deploying MySQL/PostgreSQL databases on Kubernetes.

Module 15: Helm Charts & Application Packaging

Helm simplifies Kubernetes deployment. Students learn:

Installing Helm

Understanding charts & repositories

Creating custom Helm charts

Values files

Versioning & Release management

Students package and deploy complete applications using Helm charts.

Module 16: Monitoring, Logging & Debugging

Monitoring and troubleshooting are essential skills. Students use:

Prometheus & Grafana

Metrics-server

Kubernetes Dashboard

Kubectl logs, exec, describe

Resource usage monitoring

Debugging failed pods & nodes

They learn how to ensure health and reliability in production.

Module 17: Docker + Kubernetes in CI/CD & Cloud Platforms

Students integrate tools such as:

Jenkins

GitHub Actions

GitLab CI

Argo CD & Flux CD

They also explore managed Kubernetes services:

Amazon EKS

Google GKE

Azure AKS

This module prepares learners for enterprise DevOps projects.

Module 18: Capstone Projects

Students build real-world projects such as:

A microservices application deployed on Kubernetes

CI/CD pipeline with containerized apps

Scalable load-balanced web application

Kubernetes environment with monitoring & logging

Cloud-based Kubernetes deployment on AWS/GCP/Azure

These projects help learners become job-ready.