How to Install Docker Engine on Ubuntu 24.04

Docker Engine on Ubuntu 24.04 – Modern Containerization on a Stable LTS Platform

Docker Engine is the industry-standard runtime for developing, shipping, and running containers. On Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Docker runs efficiently, leveraging the latest Linux kernel features, modern system libraries, and Canonical’s long-term support strategy—making it ideal for developers, DevOps teams, and enterprise container workloads.

Why Ubuntu 24.04 Is Ideal for Docker

Ubuntu 24.04 brings a host of under-the-hood improvements tailored to cloud-native environments:

Linux Kernel 6.8+: Enhanced cgroup v2 support, io_uring optimizations, and better memory control
systemd 253+: Reliable container process management and logging via journald
AppArmor & Seccomp profiles: Default Mandatory Access Control and syscall filtering for containers
Updated glibc and coreutils: For broader binary compatibility in custom container images
Canonical’s LTS support cycle: Security updates through 2029, with ESM available until 2034

Ubuntu’s developer-focused design and large package ecosystem make it one of the most compatible base OSes for Docker workloads.

Docker Engine Overview

Docker Engine provides a lightweight, consistent way to build and run containerized applications. Key features include:

Feature	Description
Image-based architecture	Use layers to build and reuse container images efficiently
Docker CLI/API	Unified command-line and REST interface for container management
OCI-compliance	Compatible with other container runtimes (e.g., containerd, CRI-O)
Volume and network support	Native tools to manage persistent storage and multi-host networks
Container orchestration	Compatible with Swarm Mode, and integrates with Kubernetes

Docker is widely used for developing microservices, packaging legacy applications, and automating CI/CD pipelines.

Integration with Ubuntu 24.04 Ecosystem

Docker works seamlessly with Ubuntu-native technologies:

✅ Podman optionality: Docker and Podman can coexist (but not in parallel for the same containers)
✅ Snap and APT compatibility: Ubuntu’s packaging tools can be used alongside containerized apps
✅ Cloud-init: Automate Docker container deployment in cloud environments
✅ Systemd Units: Manage containers as services with native integration
✅ LXD compatibility: Ubuntu’s LXD container hypervisor can run alongside Docker

Use Cases on Ubuntu 24.04

Docker Engine is used across development and production environments for:

Local dev environments: Quickly spin up services with no install conflicts
Web application hosting: Node.js, Django, Flask, Laravel inside isolated containers
CI/CD automation: GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins pipelines
Service-oriented architecture: Run microservices with independent scaling
Legacy app packaging: Run older apps without touching host dependencies
Hybrid cloud deployment: Seamless integration with AWS, Azure, GCP, and Shape.Host

Performance and Resource Control

Docker leverages Linux kernel features available in Ubuntu 24.04 for optimized runtime behavior:

Feature	Docker Benefit
Cgroups v2	Fine-grained control over CPU, memory, I/O per container
Seccomp filtering	Reduces syscall exposure for security
Namespaces	Complete process, user, and network isolation
OverlayFS	Efficient file system layer stacking
User namespaces	Optionally run containers with non-root mappings

These features help ensure containers are both resource-efficient and secure—critical for multi-tenant or edge deployments.

Docker vs Other Container Runtimes on Ubuntu 24.04

Runtime	Docker Engine	Podman	containerd
CLI Interface	Docker CLI	Docker-compatible	Requires custom tooling
Daemon	Runs as `dockerd`	Daemonless	Requires supervision
Rootless Mode	Available (needs config)	Native support	Limited
Kubernetes	Via Docker -> containerd	Compatible via CRI-O	Primary K8s runtime
Ecosystem	Huge, rich Docker Hub	Smaller	Focused on backend use

Docker remains the most developer-friendly and mature solution, especially when targeting Docker Hub, Compose, or Docker Swarm ecosystems.

Security and Compliance

Ubuntu 24.04 enhances Docker’s security posture:

AppArmor profiles: Limit container access to system resources
Seccomp default profiles: Drop dangerous syscalls in containers
Rootless Docker: Optional mode to run containers without root privileges
Auditd integration: System-wide activity logging
Immutable infrastructure: Treat containers as disposable, reproducible units

These features are essential for regulated industries, zero-trust infrastructure, and secure CI/CD pipelines.

Docker Engine on Ubuntu 24.04 combines the maturity and simplicity of Docker with the stability and modern toolchain of Ubuntu’s latest LTS release. It enables efficient container-based workflows for developers, sysadmins, and DevOps teams across all infrastructure types—from local dev machines to edge clusters and public clouds.

With excellent security defaults, OCI compliance, and seamless orchestration integration, Docker on Ubuntu 24.04 remains a first-class choice for container-native application delivery in 2025 and beyond.

Step 1: Create a Shape.Host Instance

Go to https://shape.host and log in to your account.

Click on “Create”, then select “Instance” from the menu.

Choose your preferred server location.

From the OS list, select Ubuntu 24.04 (64-bit).

Pick a plan with at least 2 CPUs, 4 GB RAM, and 20 GB SSD to ensure a smooth Docker experience.

Click “Create Instance”.

Once deployed, copy the IP address of your instance from the Resources section.

Step 2: Connect to Your Instance

If you’re using Linux or macOS:

Open a terminal and connect to your VPS:

ssh root@your-server-ip

Replace your-server-ip with the actual IP address of your Shape.Host instance.

If you’re using Windows:

You can either use the built-in Windows Terminal or PowerShell:

ssh root@your-server-ip

Or install PuTTY:

Launch PuTTY.
In the “Host Name” field, enter the IP of your instance.
Port: 22, Connection Type: SSH.
Click Open, accept the SSH key, and log in as root.

Step 3: Update Your Package Index

apt update

This ensures all packages are up to date.

Step 4: Install Required Dependencies

apt install ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release

These are required for adding Docker’s GPG key and repository.

Step 5: Create the Keyrings Directory

install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyrings

This is where the Docker GPG key will be stored.

Step 6: Add Docker’s Official GPG Key

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg

Step 7: Set Proper Permissions for the GPG Key

chmod a+r /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg

This allows the APT system to read the key.

Step 8: Add Docker’s Repository

echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg] \
https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable" | \
tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

This step enables Docker package installation from the official Docker repository.

Step 9: Update the Package Index Again

apt update

APT will now recognize Docker’s packages.

Step 10: Install Docker Engine and Required Tools

apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin

This installs Docker Engine, the CLI, and support tools.

Step 11: Verify Docker Installation

docker --version

You should see Docker’s version output confirming a successful install.

Step 12: Run a Test Container

docker run hello-world

This pulls a test image and confirms Docker is functioning properly.

Step 13: (Optional) Remove Docker

If you need to uninstall Docker:

apt purge docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin

Then delete Docker’s data:

rm -rf /var/lib/docker /var/lib/containerd

This tutorial is optimized for Cloud VPS users on Shape.Host — a reliable Linux SSD VPS platform offering high-performance virtual servers, full root access, and support for Docker, development tools, and more.

Deploy your own server at Shape.Host.

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