How to restart Docker container

Learn how to restart Docker on Ubuntu quickly and easily with our step-by-step guide. Keep your Docker environment running smoothly by following our concise instructions for restarting Docker on your Ubuntu system.

Updated: 29 Jun, 23 by Susith Nonis 6 Min

List of content you will read in this article:

Are you a programmer? Or are you just a tech lover trying to learn new things? It doesn’t matter from which group you are; you've probably heard of Docker. For those who don’t know, Docker is a handy tool for packaging, deploying, and executing container apps. Today we are going to learn how to restart the docker container.

Of course, we will not jump to complex technicalities because we have newbies back. So, stay with us through this journey and learn everything about a docker container and how we should restart it. Whether or not you have an immediate use case for Docker, it is critical to grasp some of its core principles.

To understand a Docker Container and answer how to restart Docker container, you need to understand the definition of Container first. Containers are software packages that include all components required to execute an app in any necessary environment.

Containers virtualize the operating system and allow the software to operate anywhere, from a private data center to the public cloud to a developer's laptop. Most web cloud apps are running on your browsers thanks to containers. Gmail and Youtube are the perfect examples of containers.

Ok! Now we know what a container is. So what is a Docker Container? Simply, Docker is an operating system that runs containers. Docker works by offering a standardized method for running your programs.

In other words, Containers virtualize a server's operating system in the same way as virtual machines virtualize server hardware. Docker is installed on each server, providing accessible commands for building, starting, and stopping containers. Let’s continue our journey to find out how to restart docker container.

The aims of containers and virtual machines are similar. Both of these OS simulators work to isolate a program and its dependencies into a self-contained entity that can operate anywhere.

Moreover, containers and virtual machines eliminate the need for real hardware, allowing for more efficient use of computing resources in terms of energy usage and cost-effectiveness.

The primary distinction between containers and virtual machines is their architectural approach. VMs recreates the whole OS and hardware to run an app, while Docker recreates only the OS, which is why it’s lightweight.

Of course, before answering how to restart the docker container, we need to know the benefits of it. As we said earlier, Docker is a Linux container-based open-source project. It creates containers on top of an operating system using Linux Kernel capabilities such as namespaces and control groups.

Containers are not new; Google has used container technology for many years. Other Linux container systems that have existed for a long time include Solaris Zones, BSD jails, and LXC. Now let’s take a look at the benefits of Docker Container.

It’s easy as A, B, C.

Docker has made it much simpler for developers, system administrators, architects, and others to use containers to design and test portable applications swiftly. It enables anyone to bundle a program on their laptop that can run unaltered on any public or private cloud.

You can isolate applications.

Containers create a virtual CPU, memory, storage, and network resources at the OS level, giving developers a logically separated view of the OS. Thus, the developer can work on an isolated app that does not interfere with anything else.

Docker Container is fast.

Docker containers are incredibly light and quick. Containers use fewer resources since they are just sandboxed environments operating on the kernel. A Docker container may be created and performed in seconds, unlike VMs, which may take longer since they must boot up an entire virtual operating system every time.

Money efficiency

Docker containers make executing more code on each server easy, increasing utilization and lowering costs.

While Docker is undoubtedly gaining traction, it won't pose a severe threat to VMs. Containers will continue to gain traction, but there are still numerous use cases where virtual machines are preferable.

For example, if you need to run numerous apps on various servers, VMs are certainly a good choice. On the other hand, Docker offers some compelling advantages if you need to run several *copies* of a single program.

Furthermore, while containers allow you to divide your application into more functional discrete components to establish a separation of concerns, it also means you have an increasing number of parts to maintain, which can become cumbersome.

Docker containers have also increased security concerns because they share the same kernel, and the barrier between them is minor. Whereas a complete VM can only send hyper calls to the host hypervisor, a Docker container may also make syscalls to the host kernel, providing a more excellent attack surface.

When security is critical, developers are more inclined to use VMs, segregated by abstracted hardware, making it far more difficult for them to meddle with one another.

Of course, when containers get greater exposure in production and face increased attention from users, concerns like security and administration are bound to arise.

Ok! I know you are getting tired of all explanations… let’s get to the point already. To restart Docker Container, all you have to do is use the command below:

Docker container restart [OPTIONS] CONTAINER [CONTAINER...]

As you can see, the command has an [OPTION]. You can personalize that part when you want to restart the Docker. The default time is 10 seconds meaning your docker will restart after 10 seconds. However, you can change that by using --time , -t in [OPTION] place.

I hope you’ve learned all you needed in this article. We tried our best to cover every aspect of  Docker Container. It's important to know that Docker Container is easy to use but has weak points too. What do you think? Is there any other answer for how to restart the docker container? If yes, then please share it with us.

People also read: 

Susith Nonis

Susith Nonis

I'm fascinated by the IT world and how the 1's and 0's work. While I venture into the world of Technology, I try to share what I know in the simplest way with you. Not a fan of coffee, a travel addict, and a self-accredited 'master chef'.