Docker - IO Recommended Settings

In this document, we will guide you through recommended Docker settings to help improve the stability and performance of your Docker environment. Configuring Docker correctly can significantly enhance its efficiency, reduce system instability, and ensure smooth operation during resource-intensive tasks.

1️⃣ Disable "Use containerd for pulling and storing images"

To optimize Docker's performance, it’s essential to disable the "Use containerd for pulling and storing images" feature. This setting can sometimes lead to unnecessary complications and instability. Here's how to ensure it's unchecked:

Go to Docker Settings: Open Docker Desktop and navigate to the settings menu.
Access the General Settings: Find the “General” tab under the Docker preferences or settings.
Uncheck the Option: Locate the checkbox labeled "Use containerd for pulling and storing images" and uncheck it.

By disabling this option, Docker will rely on its default image management system, reducing any potential conflicts or performance bottlenecks that might arise with containerd.

Disabling containerd may lead to faster image pulls in some cases, but it’s always a good idea to monitor performance changes post-adjustment to ensure the system works optimally.

2️⃣ Virtual Disk Space Allocation

For Docker to function smoothly, sufficient virtual disk space is required. Docker needs to store various images, containers, and volumes, all of which consume disk space. Insufficient disk space can lead to Docker failures and poor performance.

Recommended Disk Space Allocation:

Set at least 64 GB of virtual disk space for Docker.
Ensure that the disk where Docker stores its data (like volumes and images) has enough free space to avoid errors during operation.

Steps to Check and Adjust Virtual Disk Space:

Go to Docker Settings: Navigate to Docker Desktop settings.
Check Disk Space Usage: Under the "Resources" tab, review the disk space allocation.
Increase if Necessary: If the space is lower than the recommended 64 GB, allocate additional space by increasing your virtual disk capacity.

3️⃣ CPU Cores Allocation

To achieve optimal performance, Docker needs access to multiple CPU cores. Allocating the maximum number of available CPU cores to Docker ensures that containers run efficiently without any processing delays.

Recommended CPU Settings:

Set the CPU allocation to the maximum available cores on your system.
Ensure Docker is using all cores for container operations, especially if you are running multiple containers or resource-heavy applications.

How to Configure CPU Cores:

Open Docker Desktop Settings.
Go to the Resources tab, where you can adjust the CPU cores slider.
Adjust the slider to the maximum number of cores available on your machine.

Allocating too many cores can potentially impact the performance of other applications on your system. It's best to leave some CPU resources for the operating system and other running processes.

4️⃣ Memory (RAM) Allocation

Docker containers are memory-intensive, especially when running multiple applications or large services. Allocating sufficient RAM ensures better stability and performance.

Recommended RAM Allocation:

Allocate at least 12 GB of RAM to Docker.
If your system supports more memory, consider increasing the allocation further to accommodate larger applications and prevent memory-related issues during high-load operations.

How to Configure RAM:

Open Docker Desktop Settings.
Navigate to the Resources tab, where you can configure the memory slider.
Set the memory to 12 GB or higher, depending on the total available system memory.

Allocating too much memory to Docker can leave insufficient resources for other applications or the operating system. Ensure you leave some RAM for other critical system tasks.

5️⃣ Best Practices for Optimal Performance

To ensure Docker runs at peak performance, you should follow these additional best practices:

Keep Docker and System Updated: Always use the latest stable version of Docker to benefit from performance improvements and security patches.
Monitor Docker Metrics: Regularly monitor CPU, memory, and disk usage via Docker’s built-in monitoring tools or third-party monitoring solutions to keep track of Docker’s performance over time.

By adhering to these best practices and configuring Docker according to the recommendations in this document, you should experience improved stability, faster container performance, and fewer errors.