How to Use Local Docker Images With Minikube?

Minikube is a software that helps in the quick setup of a single-node Kubernetes cluster. It supports a Virtual Machine (VM) that runs over a docker container and creates a Kubernetes environment. Now minikube itself acts as an isolated container environment apart from the local docker environment, the local docker images on your computer are not accessible in minikube docker. Now When you are trying to access docker images in minikube it will be possible to access through the docker hub, not through the local docker environment. If the image is available on the docker hub then it is pulled in minikube docker from the docker hub otherwise you may get an Image FallBack Error. So to resolve this issue we will follow through different methods for loading Local Docker images into Minikube.

For the development of Kubernetes, Integrating local Docker images seamlessly with Minikube will be an effective practice. it helps developers develop better locally built docker containers within the Minikube k8s cluster to speed up testing and iterations. We will discuss the different effective methods of using locally created docker images in the Minikube.

Effective methods of using Local Docker Images within Minikube

The following are the different effective methods of pulling local docker images to the minikube:

• Pushing directly to the in-cluster Docker daemon (docker-env)
• Push images using the ‘cache’ command
• Pushing to an in-cluster using Registry addon
• Building images inside of Minikube using SSH
• Loading directly to in-cluster container runtime
• Building images to in-cluster container runtime

Pushing Directly To The in-cluster Docker Daemon (docker-env)

Going through this method provides a straightforward approach to push local docker images seamlessly into Minikube’s in-cluster docker daemon. This method helps the developers efficiently test and deploy their local build containers within the environment.

Step 1: Setting up the shell environmental Variables

eval $(minikube docker-env)

This command points our terminal to use the docker daemon inside minikube. So now all the docker commands we will run will be run on docker in the minikube cluster and not on our host machine. So now we can directly build the docker image in our minikube docker.

Step 2: Building the Docker Image locally

docker build -t my_image .

Example: Suppose we have a basic nodejs app that we want to build in our minikube cluster. For the practice the node js application and Dockerfile are provided here , save them with names as Dockerfile and node.js

# Here Using the official Node.js runtime as a parent image
FROM node:14

# Setting up the working directory in the container
WORKDIR /usr/src/app

# Copy package.json and package-lock.json to the working directory
COPY package*.json ./

# Installing the dependencies of the application
RUN npm install

# Copying the application source code to the working directory
COPY . .

# Expose the port on which the application will run
EXPOSE 3000

# Defining  the command to run the application
CMD ["npm", "start"]

and node.js file is here

const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const port = 3000;

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello, Docker World!');
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server is running on http://localhost:${port}`);
});

Step 3: Tag the Image with Minikube’s Docker Daemon IP and Port number

 docker tag my_image:latest  $(minikube ip):5000/my_image:latest

In the above command provide your can also perform replacing the $(minikube IP) with manual providing their.

Step 4: Push the tagged image directly into the Minikube’s in-cluster Docker deamon.

 docker push $(minikube ip):5000/my_image:tag

Successfully the docker image is pushed into minikube’s in-cluster, you can check the image on the in-cluster docker images as a verification.

Step 5: To switch back to the local docker daemon use the following command

eval $(minikube docker-env -u)

Pushing Images Using Cache Command

The cache command helps in adding the locally created docker images to Minikube’s cache by simplifying the image management. This method facilitates a faster pace for testing and interactions in the k8s cluster.

Step 1: Adding the local docker image to minikube’s cache

 minikube cache add my_image:latest

Step 2: Deploy the pod referencing the locally cached image

  kubectl apply -f my_pod.yaml

Pushing To An In-Cluster Using Registry Addon

This method makes it easier to push and pull the docker images by enabling the Minikube ‘registry’ addon inside the cluster. It takes the responsibility of image management ensuring with central repository.

Step 1: Firstly enabling the ‘registry’ addon in Minikube

 minikube  addons  enable  registry

Step 2: Building the docker image locally

  docker build -t my_image:latest  Dockerfile

Here provide your image name, image version and your docker file name.

Step 3: Tag the docker image with the minikube registry’s address and port

 docker tag my_image:latest  localhost:5000/my_image:latest

Step 4: Push the tagged image to Minikube’s in-cluster registry

 docker push localhost:5000/my_image:latest

Building Images Inside Of Minikube Using SSH

This method accesses the minikube VM directly through SSH, allowing the developers to build, tag, and push the docker images within the in-cluster environment providing control for effective image management.

Step 1: Firstly access the Minikube VM through ssh

 minikube ssh

Step 2: Build the docker image within the Minikube VM

 docker build -t my_image:latest  Dockerfile

Step 3: Now tag the image with Minikube’s docker daemon IP and Port

 docker tag my_image:latest  localhost:5000/my_image:latest

Step 4: Push the tagged image directly into Minikbe’s in-cluster

 docker push localhost:5000/my_image:latest

Step 5: Exit from the Minikube VM as a final step

exit

Loading Directly to in-Cluster Container Runtime (Using Image Load Command)

This method provides convenient image management by saving and loading docker images as tarballs allowing developers to have effective integration with locally generated images into Minikube’s cluster container runtime.

$ minikube image load my_image

This command can be used when we are having the image built in the docker of our host machine but want to load it into the minikube cluster. First, check if my_image exists in the host machine docker images:

Since the image my-image already exists in our host machine docker we can load it directly into our minikube cluster by image load command.

Now check in minikube docker for the image

Hence we have loaded the image successfully into Minikube.

Building images to in-cluster container runtime

This method directly imports the docker image tarballs into the minikube’s selected container runtime such as containerd. It allows the developer to tune the management of images to specific runtime preferences.

Step 1: Access the minikube VM through SSH

 minikube ssh

Step 2: Import Docker images tarball into the chosen in-cluster container runtime ( Eg: containerd)

 sudo ctr image import my_image.tar

Step3: As a final step exit from the VM

exit

To know the difference between docker and containerd refer this article – Docker vs Containerd

Conclusion

Learning these methods for integrating local docker images into Minikube will be essential for the developers to fasten the Kubernetes development. These flexible methods facilitate in direct pushing of the local images to the in-cluster docker daemon, accelerating the Iterations and generating images directly within the Minikube environment providing streamlined workflows.

Using Local Docker Images Within Minikube – FAQs

Can I directly use my local Docker images in Minikube?

Yes, On using the `docker-env` command, you can seamlessly push and use the local docker images within Minikube’s Incluster Docker Daemon.

How can I optimize image caching for faster development cycles in Minikube?

On utilizing the `cache` command, you can add the local docker images to Minikube’s cache for faster and more efficient iteration.

Is there a centralized repository for managing Docker images within Minikube?

Yes, On enabling Minikube’s registry addon you can establish a local registry simplifying the docker images management within the cluster.

Can I build and manage Docker images directly within the Minikube environment?

Yes. On using the SSH protocol you can access the minikube VM and build, tag, and push the docker images seamlessly within the in-cluster environment.

How do I load and utilize Docker images in Minikube’s container runtime?

On saving your local docker images as a tarball and loading it directly into Minikube’s in-cluster container runtime facilitating smooth integration for testing and deployment.