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1. Setting up first service as container

Setting up Apache web server using Docker, and pulling an image from our GitLab registry, with Let's Encrypt SSL.

Original Author: Marko Rintamäki, Eino Puttonen, Provodin Grigory
Last updated by Jesse Anttila
Last checked by x
Version 0.2
Lastmod: 28.01.2026
Status: Needs testing
Comments: In Progress

Notes#

This guide is 100% NOT required, you will do similar steps in the next guide. Leaving it be until we give it a final verdict.

Create a NEW, CLEAN Rocky Linux virtual machine on cPouta for V1! Otherwise there might be conflicts!

In this quide we will setup simple apache server by applying Docker container technology

Introduction#

Introduction here

Prerequisites#

  • Rocky Linux 10 running on a CSC cPouta virtual machine
  • Ports 80 and 443 open

Docker setup#

  1. Initial updates and installs

    # Update repositories
sudo dnf update -y
sudo reboot

    Wait a moment and ssh back in.

    # Install prerequisites
sudo dnf install epel-release dnf-utils -y
sudo dnf install dnf-plugins-core -y
sudo dnf install bind-utils -y
nslookup <public ip of the virtual machine>
    Save your fip-aaa-bbb-ccc-ddd.kaj.poutavm.fi address somewhere.

  2. Add Docker repository and install Docker

    # Add Docker repo
sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://download.docker.com/linux/centos/docker-ce.repo

# Install Docker and Compose plugin
sudo dnf install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin -y

# Start Docker
sudo systemctl enable --now docker

# Test Docker
sudo docker run hello-world

  3. Docker network and directories

    sudo docker network create apache-service

  4. Create a Docker compose file

We are going to use our favourite apache server container which is livin on gitlab repository: https://gitlab.labranet.jamk.fi/ref-product-line-v1-2025/apache-test

You should also be able to see latest docker container at : https://gitlab.labranet.jamk.fi/ref-product-line-v1-2025/apache-test/container_registry/926

```bash
mkdir apache-service
cd apache-service
sudo vi docker-compose.yml
```
  1. Start Containers
    sudo docker compose up -d
sudo docker ps -a
sudo docker logs -f letsencrypt

    After this, you should have a Let’s Encrypt certified PrestaShop running at fip-aaa-bbb-ccc-ddd.kaj.poutavm.fi.

Extra notes#

  • Ensure MySQL is ready before PrestaShop starts; consider retrying connections if needed.
  • Check folder permissions for ./ssl and ./html.
  • Verify DNS points correctly to the server for SSL to work.
  • If Docker reports irrelevant sections, check YAML indentation and Compose version.