The rapid advancement of technology has led to moving data between different infrastructures. One common example of this is a connection between Docker and MySQL. Both tools are widely known in their respective fields: Docker in DevOps and MySQL in storing and handling data.

Connecting both tools allows for a seamless working of data-driven services and applications within containerized environments. The integration is specifically beneficial for organizations that require the application deployment flexibility of Docker and the robust data management and analytics capabilities of MySQL.

This article will discuss connecting Docker to MySQL using two straightforward methods.

Docker Overview

Docker is a software platform designed to help developers build, share, and run applications. It enables you to separate your applications from infrastructure to deliver software swiftly. Docker provides the ability to package and run an application in a loosely isolated environment called a container. A container can package everything your application requires, such as libraries, dependencies, and frameworks. Major organizations such as Pinterest, Shopify, Spotify, and Udemy use Docker in their tech stacks, showcasing its versatility and robustness in handling large-scale operations.

Key features of Docker include:

• Service-Oriented Architecture: Docker supports service-oriented and microservice architecture. The way you build applications using Docker is by making containers for different services to deal with them individually. This simplifies the distribution, debugging, scaling, and inspection of your applications. 
• ‍Docker Hub: Docker Hub is a cloud-based registry service where you can share and distribute containerized applications. It provides a huge collection of pre-built images that you can use as a base for creating containers, promoting collaboration, and reusability. 
• ‍Automation: Docker automates most deployment and scaling tasks for containerized applications with its modern tools, such as Docker Compose and Docker Swarm. 

MySQL Overview

Created by Oracle, MySQL is a widely known relational database management system based on Structured Query Language (SQL). It allows you to organize and store data in structured collections within tables in rows and columns. MySQL database is a client/server system that supports different backends, libraries, administration tools, and a wide range of application programming interfaces. As part of LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP), a widely used tech stack, MySQL is used to build scalable services and applications. 

Key features of MySQL include:

• Free to use: MySQL is an open-source, free-to-use service that you can download, install, and use without any licensing cost. This enables you to leverage almost all functionalities of its robust RDBS without many barriers. However, some commercial versions of the platform are also available, like MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition and MySQL Enterprise Edition, for operating at the enterprise level.
• ‍Compatibility: MySQL is a platform-independent storage service that supports various operating systems such as Linux, Windows, MacOS, and others. Additionally, it supports multiple programming languages such as PHP, Python, Java, and more for allowing developers to interact with the database. This compatibility ensures flexibility across different platforms and environments. 
• ‍Graphical User Interface (GUI): MySQL offers GUI tools like MySQL Workbench that provide a user-friendly database design, querying, and administration interface. This helps you to understand the workflow of the system swiftly. 

Methods to Connect Docker To MySQL

• Method 1: Using Airbyte to sync data from Docker Hub to MySQL. 
• Method 2: Manually connecting Docker to MySQL. 

Method 1: Using Airbyte to Sync Data from Docker to MySQL

This method uses Airbyte to connect Docker and MySQL. Airbyte is a leading data integration tool that automates almost all the tasks involved in making a data pipeline for synchronizing Docker and MySQL. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Select Dockerhub As a Source

• Sign up or log in to your Airbyte account. 

• Click the Sources option from the left navigation bar on the home page. 
• Type Docker on the search button of the Sources page. Click on the Dockerhub card.

• You’ll be directed to the Create a Source page. Fill in your Docker Username and click on Set up source. 

Step 2: Select MySQL As a Destination

• Click on the Destinations page from the left navigation menu. 
• On the Destinations page, type MySQL in the search bar and click on connector card.

• On the Create a destination page, fill in the details, including Destination name, Host, Port, DB Name, and User.

Step 3: Connect Source And Destination

• From the left navigation bar, click on Connections > Create a Connection. 

• Select Dockerhub as a source (Step 1) and MySQL as a destination (Step 2) to establish a connection. 
• Provide a unique Connection name on the connection page and select Replication frequency. You can also tweak the Streams section and select your sync mode. 
• Click on Set up connection and run sync by clicking Sync now. 

Done. You have successfully created a connection between Docker Hub and MySQL. 

Benefits of Using Airbyte

• Extensive Connector Library: Airbyte provides a huge library of 350+ pre-built connectors that enable seamless data integration from the source to the destination of your choice. Therefore, you can connect numerous sources for replicating data in MySQL effortlessly.
• ‍Incremental Synchronization: This feature of Airbyte allows you to work on the most updated data from the source. It automatically updates the latest data since the last synchronization, promoting consistency and integrity in the workflow. 
• ‍Orchestration: Airbyte offers workflow management and monitoring capabilities to help you handle your data integration process with its easy-to-use user interface. This way, you can swiftly identify potential vulnerabilities while performing a Docker Hub to MySQL connection.

Method 2: Using CSV Files to Load Data From Docker to MySQL

In this method, you will explore how to manually synchronize Docker with an existing MySQL database in a straightforward way without using any third-party tools. Here is a detailed guide: 

Prerequisites

• Install Docker. 
• Windows powershell or git bash. 
• Existing MySQL Database. 

Step 1: Export Data From Docker Container

Docker works in containers. Therefore, we will export specific data containers using the data export command of Docker. Run the code mentioned below on your terminal:

docker container export container_name_or_id > datafile.tar

Replace the field container_name_or_id with the name or id of the container you want to export and datafile.tar with the file name of your choice. The file will be exported in a .tar format; use this web application to convert it into CSV format.

Step 2: Login To MySQL As Root User

Now that you have Docker container data in a CSV file, you can import it into MySQL. To perform this task, login to MySQL as a root user by entering the following command in your MySQL client:

mysql -u root -p password

Provide the MySQL password when prompted.

Step 3: Create a Table in MySQL For Managing Docker Data

Use the command CREATE TABLE in the MySQL client to create a table in the database and structure it according to the CSV file you exported in Step 1. Make sure the table matches the CSV file that you plan to import.

Step 4: Load CSV File To MySQL

In this step, you can load the exported Docker data into the newly created MySQL table to complete the data migration. You can use the LOAD DATA command to perform this task. Here’s a working example:

LOAD DATA LOCAL INFILE ‘dockerfile.csv' INTO TABLE tablenameFIELDS TERMINATED BY ',' ENCLOSED BY '"' LINES TERMINATED BY '\n' (‘data_field, data_field, data_field…’)

In the above code, dockerfile.csv stands for the file you exported in Step 1, tablename is the table you created in Step 3, and data_field is the different fields of CSV.

That’s all. If you have carefully followed every step mentioned above, the connection between  Docker and MySQL is established manually.

Limitations of Manual Docker to MySQL Integration 

• Latency: If you sync Docker to MySQL manually, there is a delay in the process as it relies on human intervention to initiate and complete it. This delay can lead to ineffective data transfer and impact data availability in MySQL. 
• ‍Repetitive: The manual method only includes the export of one container of data from Docker to MySQL. If you want to migrate data from more than one Docker container, you must repeat the process until you have exported all the data you want. 
• ‍Maintenance & Updates: Updating and maintaining custom scripts accounts for modifications in database schemas or any other system updates. This requires ongoing maintenance and demands for continuous attention. 

Conclusion

You have now learned two straightforward methods of connecting Docker to MySQL. The first method uses Airbyte to automate the process of data synchronization between two systems. With just a few clicks, you’ll be able to connect Docker and MySQL. In contrast, the manual method connects both tools by using custom coding. Creating a network, running a MySQL container, and then connecting both tools can be complex. Therefore, we suggest using Airbyte to synchronize Docker to MySQL for a convenient connection, task automation, an easy-to-use interface, and dedicated customer support.