Docker on Jetson

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13 Install Docker and Basic Use

Introduction

Docker is a lightweight containerized platform for packaging applications and their reliance into separate, portable containers, thus achieving “the same functioning anywhere�? It makes development, testing, deployment processes more consistent and automated through isolation, rapid deployment and efficient use of resources. Docker can significantly improve efficiency and stability, whether through local development, server deployment or large-scale micro-service structures.

Install Docker on Jetson

Install Docker CE

bash

sudo apt update
# Install dependencies
sudo apt install -y apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common

Add Docker official GPG key:

bash

# Add the Aliyun Docker repository key
curl -fsSL https://mirrors.aliyun.com/docker-ce/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/docker-ce.gpg
# Add repository
echo \
"deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/docker-ce.gpg] \
https://mirrors.aliyun.com/docker-ce/linux/ubuntu \
$(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list
# Install
sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io
# Verify the installation
docker --version

Add access rights

bash

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
newgrp docker

Upon execution of the above command, you can use the docker command without using the sudo command

Install NVIDIA Container Toolkit

bash

distribution=$(. /etc/os-release;echo $ID$VERSION_ID)
# Add key
curl -s -L https://nvidia.github.io/libnvidia-container/gpgkey | \
sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/nvidia-container-toolkit-keyring.gpg

# Add repository
curl -s -L https://nvidia.github.io/libnvidia-container/stable/deb/nvidia-container-toolkit.list | \
sed 's#deb https://#deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/nvidia-container-toolkit-keyring.gpg] https://#g' | \
sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/nvidia-container-toolkit.list

Install nvidia-container-toolkit

bash

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y nvidia-container-toolkit

Enable Docker GPU support

bash

sudo nvidia-ctk runtime configure --runtime=docker
sudo systemctl restart docker
# Test whether GPU access is available inside the Docker container
sudo docker run --rm --runtime=nvidia --gpus all --network host ubuntu nvidia-smi

You may need a proxy or mirror source when downloading Docker images or packages.

If you cannot install Docker Engine from the official APT repository, you can also download the .deb packages manually and install them yourself.

First open the Docker download directory that matches your Ubuntu version:

https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/dists/

Select the corresponding directory according to your current Ubuntu version:

Ubuntu Version	Version Designator	Example of download path
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS	focal	`dists/focal/pool/stable/`
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	jammy	`dists/jammy/pool/stable/`
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	noble	`dists/noble/pool/stable/`

Select one of the architecture directories that match your system after entering the corresponding version of the directory:

amd64:x86 64 Server / PC

Arm64: ARM 64-bit systems, including Jetson

Armhf

S390x

In that directory, download these five .deb packages with matching versions:

containerd.io_<version>_<arch>.deb
docker-ce_<version>_<arch>.deb
docker-ce-cli_<version>_<arch>.deb
docker-buildx-plugin_<version>_<arch>.deb
docker-compose-plugin_<version>_<arch>.deb

Then install Docker (using dpkg) to enter the directory where you download the Deb file, execute:

bash


sudo dpkg -i ./containerd.io_<version>_<arch>.deb \
  ./docker-ce_<version>_<arch>.deb \
  ./docker-ce-cli_<version>_<arch>.deb \
  ./docker-buildx-plugin_<version>_<arch>.deb \
  ./docker-compose-plugin_<version>_<arch>.deb

If the hint depends on the missing:

bash


sudo apt -f install

If you need to verify Docker service status:

bash


sudo systemctl status docker

Docker usually starts automatically after installation is complete. If not started, manually:

bash


sudo systemctl start docker

Docker Basics

The Docker Engine includes Docker CLI, which provides the command-line tools used to interact with the Docker daemon.

Before officially introducing the basic use of Docker, we would like to add the basic concepts of “Image�?and “Container�?in Docker to help readers better understand what follows.

Image Docker images are read-only templates that contain the environment, dependencies, and configuration required to run software. An image does not run by itself; it is the base used to create a container.

Container A Docker container is a running instance of an image. Once an image is launched, a container is created. Containers have isolated runtime environments and can be started, stopped, removed, and managed independently.

In short:

An image is like an installation package, while a container is a running program instance.

When the relationship between mirrors and containers is understood, it will be followed by a specific example of Docker's commonly used commands and basic usage methods.

1. View details

docker info

2. View version number

docker --version

3. Pull mirrors

docker pull <image_name>

If no label is specified, the default pulls the mirror of the last label.

Manually pull the assigned docker mirror:

docker pull <image_name>:

4. Run mirrors

If there is no local mirror to run, docker automatically pulls the corresponding mirror.

docker run <image_name>

Start container from specified mirror:

Docker run ubuntu: 18.04 /bin/bash

This starts the container in interactive mode. Type exit to leave the container.

4.1. Viewing running containers

docker ps

4.2. Viewing functioning or stopping containers

docker ps -a

5. Cleaning of containers

docker container prune

6. View local mirrors

Docker images

7. Remove mirrors

Note: Mirrors to be deleted need to be disabled and cleaned

Docker rmi

8. Preservation of containers as new mirrors

Docker company

Note: Based on the actual CONTAINER ID and the custom mirror name and tag suffix

9. Stop the container

If the container is operated in an interactive mode and the end enters the inner packaging, the exit can be entered inside the container to stop the container;

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