Lab Activity

Podman Basics

Learn the fundamentals of Podman, including installation, pulling images, running containers, and managing them securely on a RHEL.

Previous Next

About This Lab

Podman is a powerful, daemon-less container engine that allows users to build, run, and manage containers on Linux and other platforms. Unlike Docker, Podman does not require a central daemon, providing greater security and flexibility in managing containers. This hands-on lab introduces Podman basics, teaching beginners how to install Podman, pull container images, and run containers. The lab focuses on practical, real-world container management tasks to help you get started with Podman effectively.

What You Will Learn

This lab will guide you through:

Understanding the role of Podman as a container engine and its advantages over traditional daemon-based engines like Docker.
Installing Podman on your system using package managers like dnf or apt.
Verifying the installation and checking the Podman version with simple commands.
Pulling container images from container registries (e.g., Docker Hub) using Podman.
Running containers in both interactive and detached modes.
Inspecting and managing containers, including stopping and removing containers.
Learning how to manage container images and running containers with simple commands.

Why Learn Podman?

As the demand for containerized applications grows, it is essential to understand the tools used to manage them. Podman offers an alternative to Docker with several advantages, such as being daemon-less and supporting rootless containers for improved security. Podman is also compatible with Docker's commands, making it easy for Docker users to transition. Understanding Podman is crucial for Linux administrators, DevOps engineers, and anyone involved in containerized application development.

Who Should Take This Lab?

This lab is ideal for:

Beginners new to containerization and looking to learn Podman.
Linux system administrators interested in container management.
DevOps professionals or developers seeking a lightweight alternative to Docker.
Students preparing for certifications like Red Hat Certified System Administrator.

Prerequisites

Before starting this lab, ensure you have:

Basic knowledge of Linux command-line operations.

Lab Highlights

Key steps you will perform in this lab include:

Installing and verifying Podman installation on your system.
Pulling container images from a container registry.
Running containers interactively and in detached mode.
Inspecting containers and managing their lifecycle (start, stop, remove).
Learning how to list and manage container images.

This lab provides a solid foundation in using Podman for container management, preparing you for more advanced container-related tasks and orchestrating containers in a production environment.