“Simple Web Server with Docker” — Portfolio-Ready Project

Project Overview

This project is designed to showcase your foundational Docker skills by creating, running, and managing a containerized web server application. It’s a hands-on demonstration of how you can use Docker to:

• Build and run containers
• Map host ports to container ports
• Manage container lifecycle (start, stop, remove)
• Inspect container logs and interact with running containers
• Write clear, organized documentation for your project

You will create a public GitHub repository containing all the necessary files, instructions, and a README that explains your Docker knowledge and project details — perfect to share with potential employers or collaborators.

Project Requirements

1. Dockerfile

   Create a Dockerfile that sets up a lightweight web server based on the official Nginx image (or Alpine with a simple HTTP server). You can add a custom HTML page to serve.

2. Custom HTML Page

   Add a basic custom index.html page that displays:

   • Your name or username
   • A short message like “Hello from Docker Container!”
   • Optionally, system info from inside the container (use simple shell commands inside the container to generate this content)

3. Docker Compose (Optional but Recommended)

   Include a docker-compose.yml to demonstrate multi-container orchestration, e.g., the web server plus a simple service like Redis or a placeholder container.

4. Run and Test Instructions

   Provide step-by-step instructions in your README to:

   • Build the Docker image (docker build)
   • Run the container mapping a local port (e.g., 8080) to the container’s port (80)
   • Verify the web server is accessible through http://localhost:8080
   • Show commands to check running containers, stop, remove, and inspect logs

5. Interaction with Container

   Show how to exec into the running container, explore files, and demonstrate a basic command like viewing your index.html file or system info inside the container.

6. Project Documentation (README.md)

   Your README should include:

   • Project description — what the project does and what Docker concepts it demonstrates
   • Prerequisites — Docker installed on your machine
   • Setup and running instructions — all commands with explanations
   • Key Docker concepts used — images, containers, volumes (if any), ports, CLI commands
   • What you learned — short reflection on your learning process
   • Screenshots or terminal output — optional, to visually show results

7. Optional Enhancements (Extra Credit)

   • Add a Dockerfile that builds the image from a simple Node.js or Python HTTP server instead of Nginx.
   • Use environment variables or volumes to inject configuration or content dynamically.
   • Include a CI workflow (GitHub Actions) that automatically builds and tests your Docker image on push.

Why This Project?

• Demonstrates hands-on knowledge of Docker basics essential for any containerized development role.
• Shows your ability to write clear documentation and share your work publicly.
• Provides a real-world example of running a web service inside a container.
• Prepares you for more complex Docker use cases and Docker Compose orchestration.
• Makes your GitHub portfolio stand out with a simple, practical, and well-documented Docker project.

How to Present It

• Host the project on GitHub with a meaningful repo name (e.g., docker-simple-webserver).
• Include a descriptive README with badges (build status if you add CI) and clear instructions.
• Add a screenshot or GIF of the web page served from Docker and terminal commands showing container lifecycle management.
• Share the repository link on your CV, LinkedIn, or job applications.