Docker Networks
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Docker Networking Model
Docker networking is built on a design called the Container Network Model (CNM). This model is implemented through various "drivers" that determine how containers talk to each other and the outside world.
At its core, the model consists of three main components:
- Sandboxes: These are the isolated network stacks inside a container (including interfaces, routing tables, and DNS settings).
- Endpoints: These are the virtual network ports that connect a Sandbox to a Network.
- Networks: These are the actual collections of endpoints that can communicate with one another.
Depending on your needs, Docker uses different drivers to handle the plumbing between the container and the host. These are the most common drivers:
| Driver | Description | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge | The default driver. It creates a private internal network on the host. | Standard standalone containers. |
| Host | Removes isolation; the container uses the host's networking directly. | High-performance apps (no port mapping overhead). |
| Overlay | Connects multiple Docker daemons (Swarm mode). | Distributed microservices across different servers. |
| Macvlan | Assigns a MAC address to a container, making it look like a physical device. | Legacy apps that need to be on a physical network. |
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