Private Registry
When you build custom images, you need a place to store and share them. Docker Hub offers public and private repositories, but you can also run your own private registry for better control and security.
What Is a Docker Registry?
A registry is a server that stores Docker images. The default public registry is Docker Hub. A private registry is one you control, useful for internal images or when you need to keep images behind a firewall.
Using Docker Hub Private Repositories
On Docker Hub, you can create private repositories (free for one private repo, more require subscription). To push an image to a private Docker Hub repository:
docker tag myapp:latest myusername/myapp:latest
docker login
docker push myusername/myapp:latestRunning Your Own Private Registry
Docker provides a registry image to run your own registry server. Start it:
docker run -d -p 5000:5000 --name registry registry:2docker tag myapp localhost:5000/myapp
docker push localhost:5000/myappSecuring Your Registry
For production, configure TLS (HTTPS) and authentication. Docker has official documentation for securing the registry with certificates and basic auth.
Using Other Registry Services
Many cloud providers offer container registries:
- AWS Elastic Container Registry (ECR)
- Azure Container Registry (ACR)
- Google Container Registry (GCR)
- GitHub Container Registry (GHCR)
Two Minute Drill
- A registry stores Docker images; Docker Hub is the default public one.
- Use
docker pushto upload images to a registry. - Run a private registry with
docker run -d -p 5000:5000 registry:2. - Tag images with the registry address before pushing.
- Cloud providers offer managed registries (ECR, ACR, GCR, GHCR).
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