Improving Exasol Docker Image Size: From 4GB to 10GB
Exasol is a high-performance, cloud-first database system that allows for fast data processing and analytics. The official Exasol Docker image, available on GitHub and Docker Hub, is a convenient way to get started with Exasol. However, the default image size is 4GB, which can be limiting for certain use cases. This article will explore ways to improve the volume size of the Exasol Docker image, increasing it from 4GB to 10GB.
Understanding the Exasol Docker Image
The Exasol Docker image is based on a CentOS 7 operating system and includes the Exasol database software. The image is designed to be lightweight and easy to use, with a small footprint that makes it well-suited for deployment in cloud environments. However, the default image size of 4GB can be limiting, especially when it comes to storing data and logs.
Increasing the Volume Size
To increase the volume size of the Exasol Docker image, you have a few options. One approach is to use a larger base image, such as the CentOS 7 image with a larger root filesystem. Another option is to use a multi-stage build process, where you start with a larger base image for building and then switch to a smaller image for running the container.
Multi-Stage Build Process
A multi-stage build process is a powerful way to build and run Docker images. It allows you to use multiple stages, or steps, in your Dockerfile, each with its own base image and set of instructions. This makes it possible to build and test your application in one stage, and then package it in a smaller, production-ready image in another stage.
Here is an example of a Dockerfile that uses a multi-stage build process to increase the volume size of the Exasol Docker image:
FROM centos:7 as builder
# Install Exasol and other dependencies
RUN yum install -y \
exasol \
&& rm -f /var/cache/yum/\*
# Copy the application code
COPY . /app
# Build the application
RUN cd /app \
&& make \
&& make install
FROM centos:7
# Copy the application from the builder stage
COPY --from=builder /app /app
# Set the working directory
WORKDIR /app
# Increase the volume size
RUN dd if=/dev/zero of=/var/lib/exasol/data/bigdata bs=1M count=6000
In this example, the first stage (builder) installs Exasol and other dependencies, and then builds the application. The second stage (run) copies the application from the builder stage and increases the volume size using the dd command. The final image size is around 10GB.
- The default Exasol Docker image size is 4GB, which can be limiting for certain use cases.
- To increase the volume size, you can use a larger base image or a multi-stage build process.
- A multi-stage build process allows you to build and test your application in one stage, and then package it in a smaller, production-ready image in another stage.
- By using a multi-stage build process, you can increase the volume size of the Exasol Docker image to around 10GB.
References
- Exasol Docker Image: https://github.com/exasol/docker-db
- Exasol Docker Hub: https://hub.docker.com/layers/exasol/docker-db/latest/images/sha256-e8d9c2
- CentOS 7 Docker Image: https://hub.docker.com/_/centos
- dd Command: https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man1/dd.1.html