Containers on Support Tools

docker system prune -a --volumes: What It Deletes and How to Run It Safely

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:00:00 -0500

docker system prune -a --volumes is the biggest single cleanup command in the Docker CLI, and it is also the one most often run without knowing what it will take. This guide covers exactly what each flag removes, the Docker 23 change that made named volumes survive the command, how to preview the damage first, and how to filter and script pruning on build hosts and CI runners.

Node.js Memory Optimization in Containers: Production Performance Guide

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Master Node.js memory optimization for containerized applications in Kubernetes. Learn V8 engine tuning, memory leak detection and prevention, garbage collection optimization, and production-ready monitoring strategies for high-performance Node.js deployments.

Multi-Stage Docker Builds: Reducing Image Sizes by 800MB

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

“Why does our container image take 8 minutes to pull in production?” This question from our SRE team kicked off an investigation that revealed our Docker images had ballooned to over 1.2GB - filled with build tools, test dependencies, and debugging utilities that had no business in production. What followed was a comprehensive optimization effort that reduced image sizes by 67%, improved deployment times by 75%, and strengthened our security posture.

This post details the journey from bloated single-stage builds to optimized multi-stage containers, including production-tested patterns, layer caching strategies, and the architectural decisions that make the difference between a 15-second deployment and an 8-minute ordeal.

JVM Tuning for Containerized Applications: Production Performance Guide

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Master JVM tuning for containerized Java applications in Kubernetes. Learn garbage collection optimization, memory management strategies, container-aware JVM configurations, and production-ready performance tuning techniques for enterprise workloads.

Docker Image Layer Caching: Optimization Strategies for Faster Builds

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Master Docker image layer caching for dramatically faster build times with this comprehensive guide covering layer optimization, multi-stage builds, BuildKit features, cache mount strategies, and CI/CD integration techniques for production environments.

Container Resource Limits Best Practices: Kubernetes Resource Management Guide

Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Master container resource management in Kubernetes with this comprehensive guide covering resource requests and limits, QoS classes, limit ranges, resource quotas, and production best practices for optimal cluster utilization and application performance.

Container Memory Dump Analysis for Forensics: Enterprise Investigation Guide

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Master container memory dump analysis for forensic investigations with comprehensive techniques for capturing, analyzing, and extracting artifacts from container memory in enterprise Kubernetes and Docker environments.

Advanced Docker Container Debugging: A Comprehensive Guide for Troubleshooting Production Issues

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Master the art of Docker container debugging with this comprehensive guide. Learn advanced techniques for troubleshooting container issues in production environments, from analyzing logs and interactive debugging to resolving networking problems, optimizing resource usage, and implementing automated debugging workflows.

From Docker Compose to Kubernetes: A Pragmatic Migration Guide

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

You’ve got a working Docker Compose setup, but it’s getting unwieldy as your application grows. Kubernetes offers the scaling and orchestration features you need, but the migration path seems daunting. This guide provides a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to moving from Docker Compose to Kubernetes without rewriting your entire application stack.

Deploying Go Microservices on Kubernetes: A Hands-On Guide

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Introduction

Kubernetes has become the de facto standard for orchestrating containerized applications in production environments. Its powerful features for scaling, self-healing, and declarative configuration make it an excellent platform for deploying Go microservices. In this hands-on guide, we’ll walk through the complete process of deploying a set of Go microservices on Kubernetes, from containerization to production deployment.

Go is particularly well-suited for containerized environments due to its small binary sizes, minimal dependencies, and excellent performance characteristics. We’ll leverage these strengths while exploring Kubernetes features that help build resilient, scalable applications.

Grafana Tempo Ports: 3200, 4317, 4318 and an OTel Stack

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Which port does Grafana Tempo listen on, and why does the collector get “connection refused” on 4317? This page answers that first, then builds a complete container monitoring stack (Prometheus, Grafana, Alertmanager, EFK, OpenTelemetry Collector, Jaeger and Tempo) with Docker Compose.

Analyzing Docker Image Compression: Size Optimization Guide

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0600

Master the techniques for analyzing and optimizing Docker image sizes to improve deployment efficiency and reduce storage costs.

Docker Volumes for Mutable Files: Best Practices and Implementation Guide

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0600

Master the art of managing mutable and temporary files in Docker containers using volumes, improving performance and maintainability.

Advanced Linux Container Runtime Programming: Building Container Engines and Orchestration Systems

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Advanced Linux container runtime programming requires deep understanding of kernel namespaces, cgroups, and container orchestration principles. This comprehensive guide explores building custom container runtimes, implementing orchestration features, container networking, and creating production-grade container management systems.

Advanced Linux Virtualization and Container Technologies: Building Custom Runtime Environments

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Linux virtualization and containerization technologies form the foundation of modern cloud infrastructure. This comprehensive guide explores advanced virtualization concepts, from KVM hypervisor development to custom container runtime implementation, providing deep insights into building scalable virtualization platforms.

Essential Docker Commands: A Comprehensive Guide for DevOps Engineers

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0600

A comprehensive collection of essential Docker commands that every DevOps engineer should know, from basic container management to advanced debugging techniques.

DevOps Crash Course - Section 2: Servers

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Welcome to Section 2 of the DevOps Crash Course!

If you’re just joining us, check out Section 1 here. In this part, we’ll dive into server management, tackling the critical aspects of server reliability, configuration drift, and modern solutions like containerization.

What Matters When Managing Servers?

Before choosing how to manage your servers, ask yourself:

Can we automatically provision and deploy code to new servers?
Is there a way to replicate production environments for testing?
Can we detect and replace unhealthy servers without human intervention?

What Do We Mean by “Servers”?

While “server” traditionally referred to physical hardware, modern servers are often virtual machines (like EC2 instances). However, the definition expands to include:

Are Dockerfiles Good Enough?

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Are Dockerfiles holding us back?

Containers revolutionized software deployment by making it easier to test, deploy, and scale applications consistently. However, as containers have become central to modern workflows, their foundational tool—Dockerfiles—has shown its limitations. Could we do better?

The Hunt for a Better Dockerfile

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Time to Thank Dockerfiles for Their Service and Send Them on Their Way

Dockerfiles have been a mainstay of containerization for years, but as the industry evolves, so do the tools we rely on. While Dockerfiles are functional, they are also brittle, verbose, and challenging to test effectively. This article explores alternatives to Dockerfiles, including BuildKit, Buildah, and Packer, along with my ideal solution for container building.

Container Internals Deep Dive: Namespaces, Cgroups, and Runtime Implementation

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Containers have revolutionized application deployment and isolation, but their magic lies in fundamental Linux kernel features. Understanding namespaces, cgroups, and container runtimes at a deep level is essential for building secure, efficient containerized systems and troubleshooting complex container environments.

Install Harbor on Kubernetes with Helm (2026 Guide)

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 18:30:00 -0500

Harbor is an open-source container registry with role-based access control, vulnerability scanning with Trivy, replication and image signature verification. This guide deploys it on Kubernetes with the official Helm chart, using values that work with the current chart (v1.19.x, Harbor v2.15.x at the time of this update).

5 Game-Changing Features in Kubernetes 1.31 That Will Transform Your Workflows

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Kubernetes 1.31 is packed with features that redefine how we interact with and optimize our containerized workloads. Whether you’re into performance boosts or fine-tuning your cluster’s security, this release has something for everyone. Let’s explore the top five features you don’t want to miss.

Container Network Security

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Container networking introduces unique security challenges that require specific approaches and tools. This guide covers essential concepts and best practices for securing container networks.

Deep Dive: Kubernetes Container Runtime (containerd)

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Containerd is the container runtime used in Kubernetes to manage container lifecycle operations. This deep dive explores its architecture, configuration, and internal workings.

Deep Dive: Kubernetes Kubelet

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The Kubelet is the primary node agent in Kubernetes, responsible for managing containers and maintaining node state. This deep dive explores its architecture, container lifecycle management, and internal operations.

Understanding Container Network Interface (CNI)

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Container Network Interface (CNI) is a specification and set of libraries for configuring network interfaces in Linux containers. This guide explores different CNI plugins, their architectures, and how to choose the right one for your environment.

How To Fix OOMKilled in Kubernetes

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 19:26:00 -0500

One of the most common issues Kubernetes users encounter is the OOMKilled error, which occurs when a pod gets terminated because it ran out of memory. This error can disrupt application performance and cause instability in your environment. In this post, we’ll cover the reasons behind OOMKilled errors and the steps you can take to fix them.

How to Reduce Docker Image Size

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:26:00 -0500

Reducing Docker image size is a critical part of optimizing containerized applications. Smaller images result in faster builds, lower transfer times, and reduced resource usage. In this guide, we will explore several techniques to reduce Docker image sizes while maintaining functionality.

Kubernetes Liveness Probe Saves the Day

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 19:26:00 -0500

In the world of Kubernetes, keeping your applications running smoothly is critical. One of the key features that can help you achieve this is the liveness probe, a powerful mechanism that ensures Kubernetes automatically restarts unhealthy containers. In this post, we’ll explore how Kubernetes liveness probes can save the day by ensuring application stability.

Deploying a Rootless Multi-Container WordPress Application with Podman

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 19:26:00 -0500

In this post, we will explore how to deploy a WordPress application using Podman in a rootless environment. This setup includes persistent storage for the database and configuring environment variables.

Why Deploying Containers With the 'Latest' Tag is a Bad Idea

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 02:26:00 -0500

Deploying containers with the “latest” tag is a common practice, especially during the development phase. However, as you transition to production environments, relying on the “latest” tag can introduce significant risks and challenges. In this post, we’ll explore why using the “latest” tag is a bad idea and how you can ensure a more stable and predictable deployment process by adopting better practices.

A Deep Dive into Kubernetes Networking with Calico

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 00:15:00 -0600

Kubernetes is a powerful and widely-adopted open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. At its core, Kubernetes is a container orchestration system that enables developers to build and manage complex, multi-tiered applications with ease. A critical component of any Kubernetes deployment is the network infrastructure, which enables communication between containers and between containers and external resources.

Kubernetes Networking: Understanding Canal

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 23:47:00 -0600

Kubernetes is an open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. One of the essential components of Kubernetes is networking, which enables communication between containers and between containers and external resources.

Kubernetes Networking: Understanding the Basics

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 23:38:00 -0600

Kubernetes is an open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. As an infrastructure platform, Kubernetes is responsible for many tasks, including networking. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of Kubernetes networking and how it works.