How to Create Bridge Network in Docker Compose
Creating a bridge network in Docker Compose can help simplify networking for your containers and services. A bridge network allows your containers to communicate with each other without exposing their ports to the host machine. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps to create a bridge network in Docker Compose.
Step 1: Create a Docker Compose File
The first step is to create a Docker Compose file. This file will define the services, networks, and volumes for your Docker application. Here is an example of a simple Docker Compose file:
version: '3'
services:
app1:
image: nginx
networks:
- my_network
app2:
image: mysql
networks:
- my_network
networks:
my_network:
In the above example, we have defined two services (app1 and app2) and a network called my_network. Both services are connected to the my_network network.
Step 2: Create a Bridge Network
Next, we need to create a bridge network using the Docker network create command. Run the following command in your terminal:
docker network create my_network
This command will create a bridge network called my_network. You can verify that the network has been created by running the following command:
docker network ls
You should see the my_network network listed in the output.
Step 3: Update the Docker Compose File
Now that we have created the bridge network, we need to update our Docker Compose file to use the new network. Update the networks section of your Docker Compose file to specify the network name:
networks:
my_network:
external: true
By adding the external: true option, we are telling Docker Compose to use an existing network instead of creating a new one. Save your Docker Compose file.
Step 4: Start Your Containers
Now that everything is set up, you can start your containers using the Docker Compose up command:
docker-compose up
Your containers should now be running and connected to the bridge network. You can verify that everything is working correctly by inspecting the network settings for your containers:
docker network inspect my_network
That’s it! You have successfully created a bridge network in Docker Compose. Bridge networks are a powerful tool for managing networking in your Docker applications. Happy coding!