Install Podman on Ubuntu 24.04 Server

 

Introduction

Are you looking to harness the power of containers without the overhead of Docker? Podman is an excellent alternative that allows you to manage containers easily and securely. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to install Podman on your Ubuntu 24.04 Server. We’ll also cover its key features, common commands, and how to troubleshoot any issues you might encounter. By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to leveraging container technology for your applications.

What is Podman?

Podman (Pod Manager) is an open-source container management tool that allows you to create, manage, and run OCI containers. Unlike Docker, Podman operates as a daemonless tool, meaning it doesn’t require a long-running service to manage containers. This feature enhances security and simplifies operations, especially in environments where resources are limited.

Key Features of Podman

• Daemonless Architecture: No need for a background service.
• Rootless Containers: Run containers without root privileges, enhancing security.
• Docker CLI Compatibility: Podman provides a Docker-compatible command-line interface, making the transition smooth for Docker users.
• Pod Management: Manage groups of containers (pods) easily.
• Integration with Kubernetes: Easily integrates with Kubernetes for orchestrating containerized applications.

System Requirements

Before we begin the installation process, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

Requirement	Details
Operating System	Ubuntu 24.04 Server
RAM	Minimum 1 GB (2 GB recommended)
Disk Space	At least 1 GB free
Network	Internet access

Install Podman on Ubuntu 24.04 Server: Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Update Your System

It’s always a good idea to start with an updated system. Open your terminal and execute the following commands:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Required Packages

Podman requires a few dependencies. Install them using the command:

sudo apt install -y software-properties-common

Step 3: Install Podman

You can now install Podman directly from the official repositories:

sudo apt install -y podman

Step 4: Verify Installation

Check if Podman was installed correctly:

podman --version

podman version 4.9.3

You should see the version number, confirming the installation.

Using Podman

You can now use Podman with these basic commands. Here are a few examples:

Pull an Image

To pull a container image, use:

podman pull docker.io/library/ubuntu

Trying to pull docker.io/library/ubuntu:latest...
Getting image source signatures
Copying blob ff65ddf9395b done   |
Copying config 59ab366372 done   |
Writing manifest to image destination
59ab366372d56772eb54e426183435e6b0642152cb449ec7ab52473af8ca6e3f

To list all pulled images, use:

podman images

REPOSITORY                TAG         IMAGE ID      CREATED     SIZE
docker.io/library/ubuntu  latest      59ab366372d5  5 days ago  80.6 MB

Run a Container

To run a simple Ubuntu container:

podman run -it ubuntu /bin/bash

root@44d532be97a3:/#

List Running Containers

To list all running containers:

podman ps

To list all running containers (including stopped ones):

podman ps -a

Inspecting a Container

To get detailed information about a specific container, use the podman inspect command. This command provides comprehensive details, including configuration settings and state information:

podman inspect <container_id_or_name>

For example:

podman inspect ubuntu

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

This command outputs a JSON-formatted summary of the container’s configuration, environment variables, and runtime status, which can be extremely useful for debugging and understanding how your container is set up.

Stopping a Container

To stop a running container, first find its ID or name using podman ps, then run:

podman stop <container_id_or_name>

Removing a Container

To remove a stopped container:

podman rm <container_id_or_name>

Running Containers in Detached Mode

To run a container in detached mode, add the -d flag:

podman run -d ubuntu sleep 1000

Using Pods with Podman

One of the unique features of Podman is its ability to manage pods. A pod is a group of one or more containers. Here’s how you can create and manage pods:

Creating a Pod

To create a new pod:

podman pod create --name mypod

Running Containers in a Pod

To run a container in the newly created pod:

podman run -d --pod mypod ubuntu sleep 1000

Listing Pods

To list all pods:

podman pod ps

POD ID        NAME        STATUS      CREATED       INFRA ID      # OF CONTAINERS
872290dd8cab  mypod       Running     5 mins ago    3768d84bdabf  1

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: Podman Not Starting

If Podman doesn’t start, ensure you have the necessary permissions and podman installed.

Issue: Container Fails to Run

If a container fails to start, check the logs using:

podman logs <container_id_or_name>

Issue: Network Issues

Ensure your server has proper network access, especially if you are pulling images from external registries.