How to Run MongoDB in Docker

Running MongoDB in Docker is an excellent way to set up a database without installing it directly on your local machine. This guide will show you how to use Docker to quickly spin up a MongoDB instance using the latest mongo:8 image.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

1. Docker installed on your system (Docker Desktop for Windows/Mac, or Docker CLI for Linux).

2. Basic understanding of how Docker works.

*Step 1: Pull the MongoDB Image
*

Docker Hub provides an official MongoDB image. To ensure you’re using the latest MongoDB 8 version, pull the mongo:8 image with this command:

docker pull mongo:8

This command fetches the latest MongoDB 8 image from Docker Hub and makes it available locally.

Step 2: Run MongoDB in a Container

Run a container with the mongo:8 image using the following command:

docker run -d \
--name mongodb-container \
-p 27017:27017 \
-e MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME=admin \
-e MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD=adminpassword \
mongo:8

Breaking Down the Command:

• docker run -d: Starts the container in detached mode.

• --name mongodb-container: Assigns a name to the container (you can choose any name).

• -p 27017:27017: Maps MongoDB’s default port 27017 to your local machine, making it accessible.

•-e: Sets environment variables to configure the database:

• MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME: Sets the root username (e.g., admin).

• MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD: Sets the root password (e.g., adminpassword).

• mongo:8:
Specifies the image to use.

Step 3: Verify the Container is Running

Check if the container is running with the following command:

docker ps

You should see something like this:

CONTAINER ID IMAGE COMMAND STATUS PORTS NAMES
abcdef123456 mongo:8 "docker-entry..." Up 5 minutes 0.0.0.0:27017->27017/tcp mongodb-container

This confirms MongoDB is running and accessible on

localhost:27017

Step 4: Connect to MongoDB

Using the Mongo Shell:

If you have the MongoDB client installed locally, connect to the running container with:

mongo --host localhost --port 27017 -u admin -p adminpassword

Using a GUI:

Tools like MongoDB Compass or Robo 3T make it easy to interact with your database visually. Just connect to localhost:27017 and use the credentials:

• Username: admin
• Password: adminpassword

Step 5: Persist Data with Volumes (Optional)

By default, Docker containers are ephemeral, meaning all data will be lost when the container is removed. To persist MongoDB data, map a local directory to the container’s data directory.

Run the container with a volume:

docker run -d \
--name mongodb-container \
-p 27017:27017 \
-e MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME=admin \
-e MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD=adminpassword \
-v /path/to/your/local/data:/data/db \
mongo:8

What Changed?

• -v /path/to/your/local/data:/data/db : Maps a local directory (/path/to/your/local/data) to MongoDB’s data directory (/data/db), ensuring data persists even after the container is removed.

Step 6: Stop and Remove the Container

When you’re done, you can stop the MongoDB container:

docker stop mongodb-container

Conclusion

Using Docker to run MongoDB is a simple and efficient way to manage your database. It saves time, ensures consistency, and keeps your local machine clean from unnecessary installations. By following these steps, you can set up a MongoDB instance with Docker in just a few minutes