What is Docker Host and Client?

Docker is a containerization methodology that permits developers to create/make, deploy and run applications. Docker uses a client-server architecture where the Docker client communicates with the Docker daemon, which is responsible for building, running, and managing containers. Docker offers a command-line interface and set of APIs for interacting with Docker daemons.

This blog will illustrate:

• What is a Docker Host?
• What is a Docker Client?

What is a Docker Host?

The Docker host is the system that runs the Docker daemons. It can be a physical machine, a virtual machine, or a cloud instance. It includes Docker daemon, containers, images, networks, and storage. The Docker daemon listens to the Docker API requests and manages the containers accordingly.

What is a Docker Client?

The Docker client is a CLI tool that permits developers to interact/connect with Docker daemons. It sends commands to the Docker daemon using the Docker API and Docker daemon executes these commands. Moreover, it can communicate with multiple daemons.

The below image shows the relationship between the Docker host, client, and registry:

That was all about the Docker host and client.

Conclusion

The Docker host is the system that runs the Docker daemon. On the other hand, the Docker client is the tool used to interact with the Docker daemons. The Docker host and client can be on the same system or they can be on different systems. This blog explained about Docker host and Docker client.