Set Up MongoDB on Docker

MongoDB is an open-source NoSQL database utilizing JSON-like documents and schemata that support rapid iterative development. Its scale-out architecture is popular with application developers who use agile methodologies to move quickly. As it’s popular within the agile community, using MongoDB with Docker is an excellent approach for a continuous integration and development (CI/CD) workflow.

Before You Begin

To complete the examples in this guide, first set up and secure a Linode with Docker installed. You can accomplish this by utilizing the Docker Marketplace App, or through manual installation. Instructions for both approaches are provided below.

This guide assumes you are comfortable with the command-line interface (CLI) on a Unix-like system and using it to work with programs.

Set up a Linode with Docker

Docker Marketplace App

You can quickly set up a secure, updated Linode with the Docker Marketplace App. For instructions, see our guide on How to Deploy Docker with Marketplace Apps. For the purposes of this guide, we recommend deploying the Docker Marketplace App with the Docker Options:

• The limited sudo user to be created for the Linode
• The password for the limited sudo user
• The limited sudo user SSH Public Key that will be used to access the Linode
• Disable root access over SSH? (yes)

Manual Installation

1. Familiarize yourself with our Getting Started guide and complete the steps for updating your Linode.

2. Complete the sections of our Securing Your Server to create a standard user account, harden SSH access and remove unnecessary network services.

3. Install Docker on your Linode by following the steps in our guide on How to Install and Use Docker on Ubuntu and Debian.

Verify Docker Installation

Verify that Docker is installed on your Linode:

docker --version

You can expect an output similar to the following:

Docker version 20.10.8, build 3967b7d

Note

This guide is written for a non-root user. Commands that require elevated privileges are prefixed with sudo. If you’re not familiar with the sudo command, visit our Users and Groups guide.

All configuration files should be edited with elevated privileges. Remember to include sudo before running your text editor.

How to Install a MongoDB Docker Container

Docker makes creating a MongoDB image very easy, as they keep an officially maintained version at the Docker Hub. To install it:

1. Download and install the MongoDB image from Docker Hub:

   sudo docker pull mongo
   

   The output as the image downloads should resemble the following:

   Using default tag: latest
   latest: Pulling from library/mongo
   16ec32c2132b: Pull complete
   6335cf672677: Pull complete
   cbc70ccc8ebe: Pull complete
   0d1a3c6bd417: Pull complete
   960f3b9b27d3: Pull complete
   aff995a136b4: Pull complete
   4249be7550a8: Pull complete
   cc105ff5aa3c: Pull complete
   82819807d07a: Pull complete
   81447d2c233f: Pull complete
   Digest: sha256:54d24682d00278f64bf21ff62b7ee62b59dae50f65139831a884b345922b0f8a
   Status: Downloaded newer image for mongo:latest
   docker.io/library/mongo:latest

   Note

   This command pulls the latest version by default (as it says in the first line of the output). To pull a specific version, add the tag for that version to the command. For example, to install MongoDB 4.4.6, enter docker pull mongo:4.4.6.

2. Ensure the image has been installed:

   sudo docker images
   

   The output should look like this:

   REPOSITORY   TAG       IMAGE ID       CREATED       SIZE
   mongo        latest    07630e791de3   2 weeks ago   449MB

3. Create a container with the mongo image in detached mode so that it is still interactive on your system:

   sudo docker run --name mongo_example -d mongo
   

4. Ensure the container is running:

   sudo docker ps
   

   The output should look like this:

   CONTAINER ID   IMAGE     COMMAND                  CREATED         STATUS         PORTS       NAMES
   1f88d00b9e78   mongo     "docker-entrypoint.s…"   4 seconds ago   Up 4 seconds   27017/tcp   mongo_example

MongoDB is now running as a Docker Container.

How to Log Into MongoDB on the Container

1. Enter the following to gain the bash prompt within the container:

   sudo docker exec -it mongo_example bash
   

2. Once at the container’s command prompt, enter the mongosh shell:

   mongosh
   

From the mongosh shell, you can test queries and operations directly with your database.

Note

The legacy mongo shell has been deprecated in MongoDB v5.0, but is still accessible as an alternative to mongosh.

How to Configure MongoDB in a Docker Container

For details on configuring MongoDB, see the MongoDB manual. However, mongod (MongoDB’s primary daemon) flags are usually set to configure MongoDB, and the docker run command is designed to pass the mongod flags.

For example, to turn off the scripting engine, add the flag to the end of the command like the following:

    sudo docker run --name mongo_example2 -d mongo --noscripting

As another example, to turn off the scripting engine and turn on IPv6, enter the following:

    sudo docker run --name mongo_example3 -d mongo --noscripting --ipv6

How to Save MongoDB data from a Docker Container

Since MongoDB is being run on a Docker Container, its data won’t persist when it’s exited (as it saves the data in the /data/db directory in the container itself). If you need the MongoDB data to persist, you must create and mount a Docker Volume or mount a directory from your host system.

Adding a Docker Volume to a MongoDB Container

Creating and adding a volume for the container to use is straightforward if you are familiar with Docker.

1. Create a Docker Volume for the data to reside on by entering the following:

   sudo docker volume create mongo_volume
   

2. Then create a docker run command to attach the volume to the container and map it to the /data/db container directory by entering:

   sudo docker run -it -v mongo_volume:/data/db --name mongo_example4 -d mongo
   

Mounting a Host System Directory in a MongoDB Docker Container

If you want data to persist and access the data outside of Docker, you can use a directory on your host system.

To mount a host system directory:

1. Create a directory on your system (if you don’t have one you want to use) at the root level of your system by entering:

   sudo mkdir -p /mongo_data_directory
   

2. Then execute a docker run command to mount the directory and map it to /data/db by entering:

   sudo docker run -it -v /mongo_data_directory:/data/db --name mongo_example5 -d mongo
   

Further Reading

Learning how to use MongoDB on Docker is vital for CI/CD workflows and rapid iterative development. Continuing with some of Docker’s MongoDB information at the Docker Hub is an excellent companion to this article.

To learn more about mongod options to be passed in docker run, review the mongod MongoDB Package Components section of the MongoDB Manual.

Also, if you plan on upgrading to MongoDB Enterprise, see Install MongoDB Enterprise with Docker in the MongoDB Manual for instructions mongod.

More Information

You may wish to consult the following resources for additional information on this topic. While these are provided in the hope that they will be useful, please note that we cannot vouch for the accuracy or timeliness of externally hosted materials.

• MongoDB on Docker Hub