# Docker Registry

The term “Docker registry” is a bit ambiguous because it can mean two different things.

In a narrow sense, Docker Registry (with a capital R) is an official tool from the Docker project for storing and distributing container images. 

Docker Registry is open source, and anyone can download and run the software to set up their own container image registry.

### Benefits of Docker Registry

* A centralized location for storing container images
* A central location where users can find container images
* Access controls
* Image versioning
* Docker and Kubernetes integration

### Docker Registry Workflow

<figure><img src="https://921544542-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiRQTWHUNVZ5tIxQJXclF%2Fuploads%2FJASmFbEfBGZdMEsSkMWQ%2FDocker-hub-registry-768.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=5ccc2c6b-096c-4a52-8145-a7253d32ddaa" alt=""><figcaption><p>Registry</p></figcaption></figure>

### How does Docker Registry Works?

* Docker Registry provides a storage and distribution platform for Docker images.
* Users can upload their Docker images to the registry, and these images can be tagged with a version number and a name.
* Other users can then search for and download these images from the registry.
* Docker Registry can be self-hosted or used as a cloud-based service.

### Uses of Docker Registry

1. Our images can be stored in the Docker registry.
2. We can automate the development.
3. With the help of a private docker registry, we can secure our image.

### Different types of Docker Registry

* Docker Hub
* Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR)
* Google Container Registry (GCR)
* Azure Container Registry (ACR)

### Types of Docker Registry

The two types of repositories offered by Docker Hub are public and private.&#x20;

Since the majority of our Docker images contain source code and all the dependencies necessary for our application, the public repository is accessible to anyone who works on Docker images that we store in the Docker Hub public registry, which is bad for businesses.&#x20;

Therefore, Docker Hub offers a paid private repository; but, because cloud storage is expensive, numerous images cannot be stored there.

\
We can create a free, personal Docker registry on a local computer.&#x20;

We may adjust the authentication, balance the load, and make other configuration adjustments using a private registry. Here, we can keep our images in a private place.

### Registry Vs Repository

A *registry* is a centralized location that stores and manages container images, whereas a *repository* is a collection of related container images within a registry.&#x20;

Think of it as a folder where you organize your images based on projects. Each repository contains one or more container images.


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