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How to Install Docker on Ubuntu Using Ansible

Published: April 25, 2025
Author: Dominykas Jasiulionis

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Manually installing Docker works well—until you have to repeat the process multiple times. That’s where Ansible comes in. With Ansible, you can automate Docker installation and ensure consistent setups across all your servers.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use Ansible to install Docker on an Ubuntu server, from setting up Ansible to creating your first playbook.

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What You’ll Need

Before you begin, make sure you have:

– An Ubuntu server (20.04 or newer). Check out Hostinger’s Ubuntu VPS hosting if you need one.
– Basic terminal skills — no expert knowledge required.
– A user with sudo privileges — necessary for installing packages.
– SSH access — to connect to your server.

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Step 1: Install and Configure Ansible

First, connect to your server via SSH. Then, update your package list:

bash
sudo apt update

Next, install Ansible:

bash
sudo apt install ansible -y

Verify the installation:

bash
ansible --version

If you see version information, Ansible is ready.

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Step 2: Create an Inventory File

Ansible uses an inventory file to know which servers to manage. Create a file named hosts.ini:

bash
nano hosts.ini

Add the following:

ini
[local]
localhost ansible_connection=local

This tells Ansible to manage the local machine without using SSH.

**Tip:** For managing remote servers, list their IP addresses and SSH details instead.

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Step 3: Write the Ansible Playbook

Create a playbook file called install-docker.yml:

bash
nano install-docker.yml

Paste this content:

yaml
- name: Install Docker on Ubuntu
  hosts: local
  become: true
  tasks:
    - name: Install prerequisites
      apt:
        name:
          - apt-transport-https
          - ca-certificates
          - curl
          - software-properties-common
        state: present
        update_cache: true

    - name: Add Docker’s GPG key
      apt_key:
        url: https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg
        state: present

    - name: Add Docker repository
      apt_repository:
        repo: deb https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu focal stable
        state: present

    - name: Install Docker
      apt:
        name: docker-ce
        state: latest
        update_cache: true

This playbook installs Docker and its dependencies securely and reliably.

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Step 4: Run the Playbook

Execute the playbook with:

bash
ansible-playbook -i hosts.ini install-docker.yml

Ansible will walk through each task and apply it to your server. If Docker is already installed, Ansible will skip redundant steps automatically.

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Step 5: Verify the Installation

Check if Docker is installed:

bash
docker --version

Check Docker’s service status:

bash
sudo systemctl status docker

You should see it marked as active (running).

Finally, test Docker by running a container:

bash
sudo docker run hello-world

A successful setup will display a “Hello from Docker!” message.

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Step 6: Customize Your Playbook

Now that Docker is installed, you can extend your playbook. For example, to install Docker Compose, add:

yaml
- name: Install Docker Compose
  get_url:
    url: https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/latest/download/docker-compose-linux-x86_64
    dest: /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
    mode: '0755'

Or to initialize Docker Swarm:

yaml
- name: Initialize Docker Swarm
  command: docker swarm init

You can also configure Docker settings by modifying /etc/docker/daemon.json through Ansible.

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Conclusion

By using Ansible to install Docker, you not only save time but also ensure a consistent and reliable setup across all your servers. Plus, your playbook can grow with your infrastructure, evolving as your needs change.

Automating your server setup is a smart investment — and with Ansible, it’s easier than ever.

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FAQs

What is Ansible, and how