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This curriculum is designed to align with the Docker Certified Associate (DCA) exam domains, ensuring comprehensive coverage of key Docker Engine, Swarm, Kubernetes, and Enterprise topics.
Below is the full breakdown of modules and their primary focus areas:
ModuleFocus Areas
1. Installation & ConfigurationSystem requirements, Engine & Swarm install, UCP/DTR, daemon config, CA auth
2. Image ManagementDockerfile optimization, CLI image ops, registry deployment, best practices
3. Storage & VolumesStorage drivers, layer inspection, volumes, Kubernetes PV/PVC, StorageClass
4. NetworkingNetwork namespaces, bridge/overlay, port publishing, DNS, K8s Services/Ingress, Policies
5. SecurityDocker Content Trust, Engine & Swarm hardening, RBAC with UCP, image scanning
6. OrchestrationSwarm services/stacks, Kubernetes Pods/Deployments/Services, scaling, rollouts

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1. Installation & Configuration

We begin with the foundation:
  • Sizing & System Requirements: RAM, CPU, and OS compatibility
  • Installing Docker Engine: Official packages, repository setup
  • Swarm Setup: Initializing a Swarm cluster, manager/worker roles
  • Docker Enterprise Components: UCP and DTR overview and deployment
  • User & Team Management: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Daemon Configuration: JSON configs, daemon.json options, TLS certs
  • Namespaces & cgroups: Resource isolation fundamentals
  • Troubleshooting & DR: Backup strategies, disaster recovery planning

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2. Image Management

Master image lifecycle and optimization:
  • Writing Efficient Dockerfiles
  • Multi-Stage Builds & Build Cache best practices
  • Docker CLI: docker push, pull, rmi, inspect
  • Tagging & Layer Inspection: docker history, layer minimization
  • Registry Operations: Deploying a private registry, searching, and cleanup

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3. Storage & Volumes

Understand how containers persist and share data:
  • Storage Drivers: overlay2, aufs, aufs alternatives per OS
  • Inspecting Image Layers on the host filesystem
  • Volume Management: Creating, mounting, pruning unused volumes
  • Kubernetes Storage: Persistent Volumes (PV), Persistent Volume Claims (PVC), Storage Classes
The image shows a curriculum outline with topics such as installation, image management, storage, networking, security, and orchestration. It highlights details about storage and volumes, including drivers, image layers, and Kubernetes concepts.

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4. Networking

Dive into container connectivity and service exposure:
  • Linux Network Namespaces & CNM
  • Built-in Drivers: bridge, host, overlay
  • Port Publishing & External DNS setup
  • Overlay Networks: Deploying multi-host services
  • Network Troubleshooting: docker network inspect, packet captures
  • Kubernetes Traffic Routing: Services, Ingress Controllers, Network Policies
The image shows a curriculum outline for a course on networking, including topics like container network models, Docker bridge networks, and Kubernetes network policies. The curriculum is divided into sections such as installation, image management, storage, networking, security, and orchestration.

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5. Security

Implement best practices to harden your container environment:
  • Docker Content Trust & Image Signing
  • Engine & Swarm Security: TLS, mutual auth, secret management
  • Identity & RBAC with UCP managers and workers
  • Image Scanning: Static analysis tools, vulnerability reports
  • Integrating UCP with LDAP/AD for centralized auth
The image shows a curriculum outline with sections on installation, image management, storage, networking, security, and orchestration, highlighting security topics like Docker Engine Security and RBAC with UCP.

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6. Orchestration

Compare and contrast Docker Swarm with Kubernetes:
  • Swarm Architecture: Managers, workers, Raft consensus
  • Swarm Services & Stacks: Compose file v3, rolling updates
  • Kubernetes Fundamentals: Pods, Deployments, ReplicaSets, Services
  • Advanced K8s: Horizontal Pod Autoscaling, liveness/readiness probes
  • Integration with Docker Enterprise: UCP scheduling, DTR-based images
The curriculum is organized into four progressive sections:
  1. Docker Engine – Core installation, config, and basic operations
  2. Docker Swarm – Native orchestration model
  3. Kubernetes – Industry-standard orchestration
  4. Docker Enterprise – UCP/DTR integrations and advanced management
Each technology module revisits installation, management, storage, networking, and security in context.
To maximize your learning experience, we recommend:
  • Completion of Docker for Beginners
  • Completion of Kubernetes for Beginners
If you’re already familiar with:
  • Docker Swarm fundamentals
  • Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
you can breeze through the orchestration sections. Otherwise, all core concepts are introduced from the ground up.
In the next lesson, we’ll start with Module 1: Docker Engine Installation & Configuration.

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