System without internet access

In this tutorial, you will learn how to set up a Docker Compose stack on a machine without internet access. We'll provide each step from having a Docker Compose file and related images on your local machine to getting them onto the remote machine.

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Before proceeding, ensure you have the following installed on your system, these come preinstalled on the X20 Edge:

Export Docker Images

First, you need to export the Docker images on your local machine.

Identify the images required for your Docker Compose setup. These usually can be identified from the docker-compose.yml file.

Export the images to tar files:

docker save -o image1.tar image1:tag
docker save -o image2.tar image2:tag

Example:

docker save -o nginx.tar nginx:latest
docker save -o redis.tar redis:latest

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If you are saving a Docker image on an x86_64 (Intel/AMD) machine and need to transfer it to a B&R X20 Edge (ARM CPU), ensure you pull the correct architecture before saving:

docker pull --platform linux/arm64 my-image:latest
docker save -o my-image-arm64.tar my-image:latest

Without specifying --platform linux/arm64, the default architecture (amd64) may be pulled, causing an exec format error on the X20 Edge.

Transfer Docker Images and Compose File

Next, transfer the exported images and the docker-compose.yml file to the machine without internet access. You can use external storage devices like USB drives or use SCP if the machines are in the same network.

Using SCP:

scp image1.tar user@remote_machine:/path/to/destination
scp image2.tar user@remote_machine:/path/to/destination
scp docker-compose.yml user@remote_machine:/path/to/destination

Import Docker Images

On the remote machine, import the Docker images from the tar files.

docker load -i /path/to/destination/image1.tar
docker load -i /path/to/destination/image2.tar

Example:

docker load -i /home/user/nginx.tar
docker load -i /home/user/redis.tar

Deploy Docker Compose Stack

Finally, navigate to the directory containing the docker-compose.yml file and deploy the stack.

cd /path/to/destination
docker-compose up -d

That's it! Your Docker Compose stack should now be up and running on the remote machine without an internet connection.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully set up a Docker Compose stack on a machine without internet access. This process involves exporting images from a local machine, transferring them along with the Docker Compose file to the remote machine, and then importing and deploying them.

For more information, refer to the Docker documentation and Docker Compose documentation.

Steps​

Export Docker Images​

Transfer Docker Images and Compose File​

Import Docker Images​

Deploy Docker Compose Stack​

Conclusion​