A Docker certification exam is proctored by several websites, but some also include exam preparation materials like online courses, instructional videos, and sample exams. Here’s a list of the top five Docker certification platforms that might assist you in getting ready for the DCA certification test. Let’s explore.
As more companies move their applications and data to the cloud, the demand for Docker is increasing by 40% annually. With Docker, app developers can develop their applications separate from their organizations’ infrastructure, speeding up the development process while making it more responsive and agile. It is no wonder that hiring managers now recognize the value of Docker certifications.
According to the K21 AcademyOpens a new window , “most of the IT professionals are Docker certification aspirants because of the undisputed value it holds.†It says that on average, 26 percent of those who earn a Docker Certification report job promotions and 35 percent earn a salary hike. The certification improves both job earnings and prospects, and also improves a candidate’s chances of bagging a job at the world’s best IT companies.Â
Know More About the Docker Certification
Why should you get certified in Docker?
A Docker certification in a DevOps professional’s resume offers many advantages. It not only gives developers a competitive edge over their peers, Certified Docker professionals have access to the Docker Certified Associate (DCA) logo for personal use on a resume or other documents. Another perk is that you become a member of Docker’s exclusive online community for DCA-certified professionals, which gives you access to the LinkedIn Docker Certified professional network and exclusive invitations to Docker events.
See More: Top 10 DevOps Certifications and Courses in 2022
What is a Docker certification?
Officially, only one certification is associated with Docker, namely, Docker Certified Associate (DCA)Opens a new window . The DCA certification is the only IT certification covering the entire containerization skill set–from writing Dockerfiles to managing Kubernetes Clusters. It’s not for beginners but professionals with at least 6-12 months of Docker experience.
To obtain a Docker certification, you must pass a proctored DCA exam. The exam includes 55 questions, of which 13 are multiple-choice questions and 42 discrete option multiple choice (DOMC) questions. These must be answered within 90 minutes. After passing the exam, the Docker certification will be valid for two years. You can get it renewed to remain active.
What do you need to know to pass the exam?
In addition to having 6-12 months of working Docker experience, you should be proficient in the following areas:
- Container orchestration: You should know how to implement Docker containers and the different tools that help automate the process. Skills tested include: setting up and locking swarm clusters; deploying stack files for applications; running a container; running, stacking and replicating services; troubleshooting; and communicating between Docker and legacy systems.
- Image creation and management: All the components needed to run a Docker application are held in images. Hence, you will need to know how to create images in Dockerfile, manage them with CLI commands, layer, tag and delete images, and work with the image registry.
- Installation and configuration: For this exam section, you should know how to install the Docker engine on different platforms, log drivers, manage user and team creation, analyze sizing requirements, and manage client/server authentication and image registry access.
- Security and networking: Network drivers connect containers. The resulting systems require encryption and Mutual Transport Layer Security (mLTLS) protection. Thus, to clear this part of the exam, you will not only need to know how to use mLTS but also how to build bridge networks for developer use, publish application ports and identify container ports, configure the Docker engine to an external DNS, perform HTTP and HTTPS load-balancing, as well as implement Docker engine, swarm, and image security.
- Storage and volumes: For this section of the exam, you will need to understand how the Docker storage system works, including creating volumes where information used by the containers is stored, using volume drivers and bind mounts, using object storage and block storage, cleaning unused images, and storing data using cluster nodes.Â
- Docker editions: You should be familiar with all four editions of the Docker platform: Pro, Team, Business and Enterprise. Not only should you be aware of the limitations of each edition for specific applications, but you should also know what server Operating Systems each can run on and interact with.Â
Docker Certification Programs
Several websites act as proctors for the DCA certification exam, but some offer exam preparation through online lessons, educational videos and practice tests. Here are five top Docker certification sites that will help prepare you for the DCA certification exam:
Besant Technologies’ Docker Certification Training Course
Besant Technologies’ Docker Certification Training CourseOpens a new window is a 30-hour online training course and certification process, covering an introduction to Docker, Docker-compose, Docker files, and container images. Other topics include Node.js, virtualization, Docker Swarm and how to use GitHub. It consists of 60 videos, quizzes, and 14 hands-on learning assignments.Â
The following prerequisites are recommended: experience using the Windows or Linux command line and basic networking and Linux administration knowledge. Â
Edureka’s Docker Certification Training Course
Edureka’s DCA Certification Training courseOpens a new window consists of 24 hours of online live instructor-led classes and eight labs. Students get hands-on experience using the different storage strategies, deploying multi-container applications using Docker Compose, and managing container clusters using Docker Swarm. All participants get lifetime access to 18 class recordings.Â
The prerequisite for taking this course is a working knowledge of Linux that includes hands-on experience.
Simplilearn’s Docker Certified Associate (DCA) Certification Training Course
Simplilearn’s DCA courseOpens a new window is aligned with the Docker Certified Associate (DCA) Certification body. It covers the fundamentals of Docker, including creating images, containers, swarms, volumes, and networks and defining Docker security client bundles and client-server authentication. This 24-hour course features three lesson-end projects, two course-end assessments, 65 videos and 12 hands-on labs.Â
Knowledge of Linux, including hands-on experience, is required to take this course.
Udemy’s Docker Certified Associate (DCA) 2022
Udemy’s DCA courseOpens a new window consists of 19 hours of on-demand videos, eight labs, one practice test, and lifetime access to 75 articles for studying Docker. Udemy’s course description also states that “since this course is based on the official certification blueprint, this course also has a dedicated Exam Preparation section with a series of practice tests to verify the candidate’s understanding of the topics discussed in the course and also verify if the candidate is ready to give the official certification exams.†The covered topics include:
- Building images with Docker files
- Understanding docker swarm
- Using Docker Compose Files to create application stacks
- Docker command basics
This course has no prerequisites.
See More: Top 10 DevOps Certifications and Courses in 2022
Whizlabs’ Docker Certified Associate (DCA)
Whizlabs’ Docker Certified Associate courseOpens a new window is specifically intended for students preparing to take the Docker Certified Associate (DCA) certification exam. Whizlabs provides 8+ Hours of Hands-on Training Videos and two full-length Docker Associate Certification practice tests covering 110 updated test questions. A free practice test with 15 questions is also provided.
A solid understanding of Linux commands is a prerequisite to taking the course. However, Whizlabs also recommends that you have a basic understanding of Cloud Virtual Machines, 6 to 12 months of hands-on experience with Docker and a basic understanding of container security.Â
Can a Docker certification really advance your career?
The Docker Certified Associate certification is highly regarded since it attests to your proficiency with Docker, one of the most popular DevOps technologies and a tool in great demand. According to Payscale, a DevOps engineer with Docker expertise makes an average pay of $100,000. So, the Docker Certified Associate certification can help you achieve your professional objective of remaining competitive in a DevOps environment.
Which of the Docker certification platform worked best for you? Let us know on LinkedInOpens a new window , Facebook,Opens a new window and TwitterOpens a new window . We would love to hear from you!