What is the Docker Certified Associate (DCA)?
The Docker Certified Associate (DCA) is a professional certification that validates expertise in containerisation using Docker. It covers the full spectrum of Docker skills — from building and managing images and container lifecycle management, to orchestrating multi-container workloads with Docker Swarm and securing Docker environments in enterprise deployments.
The DCA is widely recognised across the DevOps industry as the standard credential for professionals working with Docker in production. It demonstrates that a candidate can confidently operate Docker in real-world scenarios including CI/CD pipelines, microservices architectures, and hybrid cloud environments.
Our training programme covers every DCA exam domain with a mix of concept explanation and extensive hands-on lab practice. From building efficient multi-stage Dockerfiles to configuring overlay networks in Docker Swarm, every topic is reinforced through direct terminal experience on live environments.
What You Will Learn
- Install, configure, and manage Docker Engine on Linux and Windows hosts
- Build optimised Docker images with multi-stage builds and layer caching strategies
- Manage image distribution using Docker Hub, Docker Trusted Registry, and private registries
- Configure bridge, overlay, macvlan, and host network drivers for container connectivity
- Implement persistent storage with bind mounts, named volumes, and volume drivers
- Deploy and manage multi-service applications using Docker Swarm mode and Docker Compose
- Apply Docker security best practices: content trust, secrets management, and namespace isolation
- Configure and manage Docker Enterprise features including UCP and DTR
Why Choose devopssupport.in for DCA
DCA-Certified Trainers
Instructors hold active DCA credentials and have deployed Docker in production for enterprises across multiple industries.
Hands-On Lab Scenarios
30+ practical lab exercises covering real-world Docker scenarios from Dockerfile optimisation to Swarm service deployment.
Mock Exams Included
Two full-length practice exams with domain-weighted questions and detailed explanations for every answer option.
Lifetime Access
All recorded sessions, lab guides, and study materials are updated with Docker releases and are yours forever.
24/7 Mentorship
Dedicated support channel for doubt resolution and weekly office hours with DCA-certified instructors.
Global Alumni Network
Connect with 2,000+ Docker professionals who have completed the programme across 25+ countries.
Who Should Attend & Prerequisites
The DCA is suitable for DevOps engineers, system administrators, and developers who work with or plan to implement Docker in professional environments.
Linux Fundamentals
Ability to navigate the Linux command line, manage files, processes, and services using systemd.
Basic Container Concepts
Familiarity with what containers are, the difference between images and containers, and basic docker run commands.
Networking Basics
Understanding of TCP/IP, ports, DNS resolution, and basic network troubleshooting with tools like ping, netstat, and curl.
Version Control Awareness
Basic familiarity with Git and understanding of CI/CD pipeline concepts is helpful but not mandatory.
Course Agenda
7 modules covering all DCA exam domains with practical lab exercises and scenario-based learning throughout.
- Docker architecture: daemon, client, containerd, runc, and shim components
- Installing Docker Engine on Ubuntu, CentOS, and RHEL using official repositories
- Docker daemon configuration: storage drivers (overlay2), logging drivers, and daemon.json
- Docker context management and remote daemon connectivity
- Container runtime lifecycle: create, start, run, stop, kill, rm commands
- Namespace and cgroup isolation: understanding how containers are separated at the kernel level
- Dockerfile instructions deep dive: FROM, RUN, COPY, ADD, ARG, ENV, ENTRYPOINT, CMD, HEALTHCHECK
- Multi-stage builds: minimising production image size for security and performance
- BuildKit: parallel build stages, mount types, and build cache management
- Layer caching strategies: ordering instructions for maximum cache efficiency
- Image tagging strategies, SemVer conventions, and promotion workflows
- Image scanning for vulnerabilities using Docker Scout and Snyk integration
- Docker network drivers: bridge, host, overlay, macvlan, and none
- Bridge network internals: virtual ethernet pairs, iptables rules, and DNS resolution
- User-defined bridge networks: container-to-container communication by name
- Overlay networks in Docker Swarm: encrypted multi-host networking
- Port publishing: host and ingress modes in Swarm services
- Container DNS and service discovery in single-host and Swarm environments
- Docker storage architecture: writable container layers vs. persistent storage
- Named volumes: creation, inspection, backup, and restore workflows
- Bind mounts: use cases, security considerations, and performance implications
- tmpfs mounts: in-memory storage for sensitive data
- Volume drivers: NFS, AWS EFS, Azure File Share integration with Docker
- Managing data in production: volume lifecycle in Docker Compose and Swarm
- Docker Swarm architecture: manager and worker nodes, Raft consensus, and leader election
- Initialising a Swarm cluster, joining workers, and promoting managers
- Swarm services: replicated vs. global mode, rolling updates, and rollback strategies
- Docker Stacks: deploying multi-service applications with docker-compose.yml
- Swarm secrets and configs: distributing sensitive data and configuration files to services
- Placement constraints and node labels for workload targeting
- High availability in Swarm: quorum requirements and split-brain prevention
- Docker security model: namespace isolation, cgroup limits, and seccomp profiles
- Running containers as non-root: USER instruction and runtime --user flag
- Docker Content Trust (DCT): signing images and enforcing trusted pulls
- Secrets management: Docker secrets vs. environment variables vs. mounted files
- AppArmor and seccomp: custom security profiles for hardened containers
- Docker Bench Security: automated CIS benchmark validation for Docker deployments
- Read-only filesystems and dropped capabilities for minimal attack surface
- DCA domain-by-domain revision: Orchestration (25%), Image & Registry (20%), Installation & Configuration (15%), Networking (15%), Security (15%), Storage & Volumes (10%)
- Exam format walkthrough: 55 questions, 90 minutes, multiple-choice and discrete option types
- Full mock exam #1 with answer review and scoring breakdown
- Full mock exam #2 with targeted weak-area coaching session
- Exam scheduling, Pearson VUE account setup, and test centre vs. online proctoring options
- Common exam pitfalls and last-minute revision checklist
DCA Exam at a Glance
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Exam Format | Multiple choice and discrete option questions |
| Number of Questions | 55 questions |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Passing Score | Scaled score — typically 65–70% |
| Exam Fee (USD) | $195 |
| Delivery | Online proctored or Pearson VUE test centres |
| Validity | 2 years |
| Issuer | Mirantis (formerly Docker, Inc.) |
Domain Weightings
| Domain | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Orchestration | 25% |
| Image Creation, Management & Registry | 20% |
| Installation & Configuration | 15% |
| Networking | 15% |
| Security | 15% |
| Storage & Volumes | 10% |