Docker Networking Deep Dive: Bridge, Overlay, and Macvlan Networks Explained

Docker networking determines how containers communicate.

Bridge Networks

docker network create --driver bridge app-network
docker run -d --name web --network app-network nginx
docker run -d --name api --network app-network node:20
docker exec web ping api

Overlay Networks

docker network create --driver overlay --attachable app-overlay
docker service create --name web --network app-overlay --replicas 3 nginx

Macvlan

docker network create -d macvlan --subnet=192.168.1.0/24 --gateway=192.168.1.1 -o parent=eth0 lan-network
docker run -d --name db --network lan-network --ip 192.168.1.100 postgres:16

Network Isolation

docker network create frontend
docker network create backend
docker run -d --name web --network frontend nginx
docker network connect backend web
docker run -d --name db --network backend postgres:16

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